school bus pass

[winnerlili]

can any one help, my son is due to start secondary school in sep 10, and I recently applied for free bus pass on distance criteria over age 8 and 3 miles or more distance, however I have had my reply back stating it is unsuccessful and that the mileage they have estimated 1.77 Miles, however each time I have googled and AA route finder the shortest safest walking distance is 3.1 miles again over the 3 mile threshold., I have been informed by my local council that they use a GEO data GPS used for land registry and planning permission purposes, and that this includes alley ways and paths etc, however do they take in to account that most of the alley ways have alley gates on them and that pathways are closed off etc. any suggestions to mount my appeal. angry

Can you ask them for their suggested (1.77 miles) route and then photograph what it means on the ground?

That seems like a really big difference, have you tried different route finders and checked they are walking routes.
I don't mean to suggest you've not done your homework I'm just surprised that the difference is so great.

Are you using public footpaths on your calculation or just roads?

As ragged says, ask them for details of the route they suggest. Then check it for safety. Don't know where you live but I wouldn't like the idea of an 11 year old coming home from school on a dark winter evening being required to walk down alley ways. Maybe you should contact your local Police to check on the safety of the suggested route, they should know details of any assaults / muggings etc. (You may have guessed, I live in London.)

I have just been told that we live 2.974 miles from the school (!, therefore can't have a pass. When I pointed out that the route wasn't safe (no footpaths, by motorway etc.. ) she said that there only has to be sufficient "step off" and that it is assumed that a parent will accompany them til they're 16 and they will not be alone!

Has any one else heard this? The subsidised pass is £180 a year and I have 3 kids!

Well £180 PA is obviously subsidised, we have been paying £5.50 per day for a 4.5 mile journey each way (every day, even when they are on study leave & you have to give a term's notice to terminate).

If you are on Income Support or a very low income and working maybe you should talk to the LA, otherwise I think you should take the offer of £180 while you can, expect it will increase or if you hesitate you may not be able to get a place.

If you are taking younger children to school somewhere else, have to get in to work (and taking your child to school would mean your employment would be prejudiced) or don't have a car, then perhaps it's worth pursuing.

In Kent there is a freedom pass you can buy for £50 - unlimited bus travel all year round, including school runs etc (if you qualify for free bus pass you still have to pay the £50 but if you just want school travel its still the free one)
Is there nothing like that? Using just public buses? My dds grammar school just uses local bus route buses, the comp has its own designated coach/buses for the free users.