Help! What are our legal rights wrt getting a 16yo to school? Local authority say it's not their problem

[PollyFilla]

I hope someone can help.

My son is starting 6th form in a new school (same council though) and the council tell me there is no space on the school bus. Although it's only 10 miles away this creates a logistical nightmare as we both WOTH.

Public transport options mean a 1.5 hour journey or him on the way home and a 1 hr 15 minute journey for me every morning if I drop him off. Plus I have a younger child who needs to go to school in the opposite direction.

Do the Local Authority have to provide a way for him to get to school? I'm happy to pay but ATM they're saying there's no space.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

1. He cycles.

2. he gets public transport and uses the time on it to do homework.

He's nearly an adult.

My DS's 12 mile journey sometimes takes over an hour in the morning, 20 mins in a car, because they weave through about 10 tiny villages, then traffic at the end I'd awful as nearly 80% of children come in on a coach, they are next to a 11-16 yr old comp 75% coming in on a coach and a university all starting at 9am!
We've just paid £172 for 1\2 a term which seems excessive to me but our only option.

9 miles is 1.5 hours each way? How?

Fair enough, I typed too quickly. I guess 35 minutes is direct driving door to door? I think DC have more like 45-50 minutes total commuting in morning, including 10-15 minute walk to bus/train stop. Transport timings aren't quite as convenient in afternoon so they have to wait a spell (20-50 minutes) after school before catching bus/train back.

I hear often about 6th formers commuting 1.5+ hours each way to the popular agricultural colleges. Similar if you want to live here & attend private secondaries.