MEMBERS of Neath Port Talbot Council have approved a new draft policy for their home to school transport services ahead of consultation with pupils, schools, parents and carers.
The decision was approved at a recent council cabinet meeting where members heard how the policy for school transport was last reviewed in 2017.
It came after what were described as “a number of key policy decisions” made by Welsh Government which had impacted the previous policy and meant a full review was required.
Neath Port Talbot Council currently provides some form of travel assistance to around 4,500 learners.
The report said: “Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council requires an updated policy to demonstrate how it will meet its statutory duties to provide learner travel assistance for pupils who live within the county borough.”
It added that education transport costs had “risen sharply” and were at a level where action was needed to address these increases and improve service provision.
The consultation said the updated policy would be written in a way that makes it easier for families to understand how decisions about learner travel support are made, as well as strengthening support for learners who may need additional help.
It also proposes a change to the name from “Home to School Transport” to “Learner Travel Assistance” to reflect that support is not limited to providing transport and may include a wider range of travel options such as active travel and personal travel budgets.
To qualify for learner travel assistance a child must attend their nearest suitable or catchment school and the journey from home to that school must meet the distance criteria.
The latest draft says the council would provide travel assistance for primary aged children who live two miles or more from their school.
It offers the same for secondary aged children who live three miles or more from their school.
Speaking at the meeting councillor Nia Jenkins said: “I think it’s really important that it provides clarity to parents and carers on the responsibilities and statutory duties there.
“It will be in line with the Welsh Government in that it reflects the wide range of access to school available, whether it’s active travel or whether it’s the traditional options of taxi’s, bus etc.”
The move comes after the council added £1m worth of targeted savings back in to their annual revenue budget for 2026-27 financial year.
It also follows a report in September of 2025 which highlighted how a re-tendering exercise carried out in the 2024-25 financial year to save £350k had ended up costing them more.
