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AIBU?

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Original poster

Re School Transport

174 replies

KrazyKurls · 05/08/2013 10:58

I honestly don't know if I am being unreasonable over this, please give me some perspective!

We live 1.9 miles from DS1's school and he has up until now been taking the school bus at a cost of £90 per annum. We live on a 60 mph country road with no pavements, absolutely no safe way to walk to school, there is no public transport at all.

We are really struggling financially at the moment and I phoned the school transport people today to appeal payment (we have 3 DC so will soon be £300 per annum). I was told that school transport is offered as a safe route to school and that is what we should use. I did say what if we absolutely cannot afford to get DS to school? Her response was to appeal but she has never known anyone get away with not paying in 4 years.

I could have taken him in the car but DH needs this for work, he has recently had his company car and fuel car taken off him due to cut backs.

To put into context we have had to move 400 miles away, rent out or own home at a loss, take on a massive rent (but the cheapest we could find) to allow DH to stay in a job. We have cut back to the bare bones of everything, I can't think of any other way that we can economise.

I can't work as DH works erratic hours often not home till after 9 pm and most weekends. We have no childcare as so far from friends and family. I am applying to do an induction course though into childminding.

The cut off to pay is 2 miles.

OP posts:
NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 05/08/2013 11:01

How old is DS?

Feminine · 05/08/2013 11:01

YANBU that all sounds like hell.

have you appealed to the county/council.

Do you qualify for anything free?

HollyBerryBush · 05/08/2013 11:02

If its secondary school, he can walk it, or bike it.

shewhowines · 05/08/2013 11:02

Ours is £600 and appeals are never successful. They say it is walkable under 3 miles "even if they need to be accompanied by an adult". That is their get out clause.

It sucks.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 05/08/2013 11:02

Just to clarify....we live 2.6 miles away from our children's primary but don't qualify for any help as it was our choice to go there. We cycle there with them...one child (aged 5) on a tagalong and our 9 year old on her own bike...we wear high vis jackets...and use the road for one mile and a cycle lane for the rest.

ShatnersBassoon · 05/08/2013 11:03

Is there any way you could pay monthly for the transport? £22.50 per month seems a lot less frightening than £270. Phone them back and ask.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 05/08/2013 11:03

Holly he can't walk as OP says no pavement but I agree that he could cycle...my 9 year old does 2.6 miles there and 2.6 back daily...with us as company of course...but an older child could do this alone...or with a parent if he's only 11 or so.

LieweHeksie · 05/08/2013 11:04

What age are your DC?

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 05/08/2013 11:06

Further to the cycling thing..it seems scary at first but once you're into it, it's fantastic. I suggest you look into cycling as we could not cope without our bikes. We couldn't afford transport either.

Bowlersarm · 05/08/2013 11:07

Holly that's crap advice. There is no way own earth I would let one of my children walk almost 2 miles along a 60 mph road with no pavements. It's an accident waiting to happen. We live on a road like that. Car crashes all the time. You never ever see anyone walking along it.

OP good luck. I have no practical advice I'm afraid.

ShatnersBassoon · 05/08/2013 11:08

I have to say that £90 is really good value for transport. It would be a shame to lose such a good service for the sake of a temporary lack of funds. If they won't accept monthly payments, could you borrow the money from somewhere just to make life easy?

LaurieFairyCake · 05/08/2013 11:08

As soon as you get the 3 into school - this year? You can get a job can't you?

Other choice - you can drive your dh to work and then have the car all day?

Feminine · 05/08/2013 11:08

Do any of you live on the same type of road op does?

I do. I wouldn't want my children cycling to school that way.

The school/county council or whatever should sort it.

Feminine · 05/08/2013 11:10

Exactly bowler.

op yes, can you borrow the money?

Loshad · 05/08/2013 11:11

You don't necessarily need pavements though, we also live on a 60 mph country road with no pavements, and it would not cross my mind not to walk into the village along it. I wouldn't let a small child do the walk unaccompanied, but if you are soon to have 3 at school presume the youngest is only 4/5 and so will need taking anyway.
Most cars will slow down and give you a reasonable berth, pop a hi viz vest on if you are really concerned.

Feminine · 05/08/2013 11:12

and laurie has made a great suggestion.

Cycling on a 60? >

ShatnersBassoon · 05/08/2013 11:12

I was brought up on exactly the same type of road as op - 60mph, no pavement, winding country road. I walked and cycled it all the time, accompanied when young and alone when 10/11+. It was fine, not scary at all. You simply take precautions and keep your wits about you.

That isn't to say I'd rather do that than borrow £90 to keep up the 50p a day bus service which would be much more convenient for everyone.

Ogg · 05/08/2013 11:13

They have sorted it £90 is remarkably cheap to be honest

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 05/08/2013 11:13

We cycle on a 60 Feminine...we have for almost 2 years now. It's a mile...it's fine. You can't moan about things if you dont even TRY to sort them out. It's a country road OP says so that's not going to be busy.

Feminine · 05/08/2013 11:13

A 60 round here, gives drivers the suggestion of closer to 70 here.

they even do it round the school.

kinkyfuckery · 05/08/2013 11:14

Can't you walk to school with them?

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 05/08/2013 11:15

Exactly Shatners people are SO cosseted it's ridiculous. My 9 year old and some other children in our village are now extremely confdent cyclists. We ride in hig vis jackets with helmets etc. It costs nothing and our children are fit.

I got my bike on freegle too!

Feminine · 05/08/2013 11:15

How not busy though?

Its not the A303 here, but when a car speeds ...it really speeds!

Each to their own I guess :)

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 05/08/2013 11:16

Kinky no. There's no pavement so she can't walk.

Feminine...there's always a risk of that...you just have to be confidnt and take your space on the road. OP says she can't afford bus...she won't get a reduction then she has little choice.

IdreamofFairies · 05/08/2013 11:18

maybe see if someone from the transport office would come out so you can show them how dangerous the road is or if they cant take a video in for them to see. people probably say the same as you all the time this way you will have proof that you are not exaggerating about the danger.

looking at a map or even just checking the distance from home to school will give them no insight to you situation. this may give you a better ground for appeal.