A sharp increase in the number of children needing school transport could see the council invest £900,000 in its minibus service.
Leeds City Council is planning to keep 33 ageing vehicles it would normally have disposed of to meet rising demand.
The cash would pay for repairs on the minibuses to boost the size of the fleet.
Leeds City Council said the investment would save cash in the long-term, leading to a net saving of almost £550,00 per year.
A council report said demand for school transport rose by 27% in 2023/24 and was expected to continue to increase.
A spokesperson said: “This has led the authority to seek innovative solutions to meet this rising demand and continue this vital service while addressing its ongoing budget challenges.”
The transport service helps children from low income families, those with long journeys to school and youngsters with special needs and disabilities.
The council said the minibus investment meant cash would not be spent on costly private hire vehicles.
The £900,000 funding would be made available over six years for repairs, including wheelchair lifts, diesel filters and gearboxes.
The spokesperson said: “With significant further investment to allow for repairs and maintenance, this proposal still delivers a substantial net saving to the service.
“As is the case across our transport fleet, these vehicles will be subject to rigorous and frequent inspections and servicing, in line with strict transport operator licensing conditions.”
