Integrated Public Transport Strategy - Worcestershire County Council

Taxis
The Council recognises that taxis can provide a transport service when bus or rail travel
is not a viable option. There are a number of taxis suitable for carrying wheelchair users
licensed throughout the Districts of Worcestershire. The rural districts of Malvern Hills
and Wychavon do not have any such vehicles licensed. Concessionary travel tokens are
available for taxi travel in some districts though not all taxis firms will accept them.
Currently the only bus priority measure allowing taxis access is the off peak use of the
Crown Gate bus station through route in Worcester.
Education and Social Services Transport
In addition to the public transport identified above, the County provide transport for
Education and Social Services needs. Worcestershire County Council has integrated
those teams from its Environmental, Educational and Social Services Directorates into a
single team to rationalise transport provision and ensure Best Value across the County.
This provides new opportunities to deliver innovative services and improved efficiencies.
Education Transport
The 1996 Education Act requires Education Authorities to provide transport where they
consider it necessary. Consideration of further requirements of the Act dealing with school
attendance lead to the conclusion that it is necessary to provide free transport to:
● A child between 5 and 16 years of age who attends the nearest school and that school
is beyond the statutory walking distance (2 miles for pupils under 8 years, 3 miles for
pupils aged 8 and over) and
● Children (5-16 years) with Special Educational Needs who live beyond the statutory
walking distances and attend the nearest appropriate establishment will generally have
free transport provided as for those above.
The County Council also provides transport for children attending the nearest appropriate
or designated denominational school, provided it is beyond the statutory walking distance.
Parents are normally required to make a contribution towards the transport costs.
Students between the ages of 16 and 19 years (16 and 22 years in the case of special
needs students) are also assisted with transport, though they are required to make a
contribution towards the costs. Support is only given for transport to the nearest
establishment offering a suitable course.
The Authority also operates a Vacant Seats Payment Scheme on most of its contracted
services. Under this scheme non-entitled children may travel on those services provided
the parents pay a termly fee.
Transport costs the Authority approximately £6.9 million in the financial year 1999/2000.
This does not include additional costs associated with transport such as escort costs.
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Chapter 2 - Setting the Scene