Families have urged Leeds City Council to rethink its decision to end free school transport for many young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) over the age of 16.
Parents said the policy has left families facing uncertainty over how teenagers will travel to school or college when the new academic year begins in September.
The council announced last year that free bus travel for post-16 SEND students would be withdrawn as part of efforts to save around £800,000.
Campaign group Save Our School Transport raised concerns during a meeting at Leeds Civic Hall, arguing that the policy is creating obstacles for young people and their families. Speaking on behalf of the group, Emma Daniels said: “We stood here a year ago and raised grave concerns over the revised post-16 transport policy.
“We warned that the policy was not working for young people with SEND. Right now this policy is creating barriers. It is limiting what young people can do.”
The concerns were presented in a formal deputation to councillors, with campaigners calling for the policy to be referred back to the council’s executive board for review. The group urged the authority to restore the previous arrangements while a full assessment of the policy is carried out.
The council said support is still available on a discretionary basis, including personal travel allowances and other forms of assistance. Officials also said young people are being offered independent travel training to help them use public transport safely and confidently.
Cllr Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said the authority wanted SEND students to have the same opportunities as their peers. She said: “In Leeds we want children with SEND to have the same opportunities as their peers.
“Independent travel training is a key part of that.”
Cllr Hayden added that “travel buddies” had also been introduced to support young people using public transport.
