SCHOOL TRAVEL COSTS UP BY 50%

5.56.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Sep 2007

Students returning to school this week are suffering after a 50% increase in the cost of getting to lessons.

Pupils travelling to Sixth Form colleges by bus will find that their student 'Goldrider' ticket has gone up to £450 and local councillors are worried that the impact this will have on the students and on the numbers driving to college.

County Councillor Geoff Heathcock represents Queen Edith's Ward in Cambridge which contains both Long Road and Hills Road Sixth Form Colleges. He commented:

"Why were local councillors not consulted about this change?

"I'm very worried that this massive increase will lead to many more parents and students driving to college. During term time local roads are already full with students parking for the colleges and the County Council's decision will only make this worse."

John Batchelor is concerned about the massive hike in bus ticket prices which could lead to much more traffic in and out of Cambridge

County Councillor for Linton, John Batchelor, added:

"Parents and students have not been consulted about this price hike. Travelling to college by bus will now be much more expensive. The County Council claims to support public transport but moves like this simply pushes people back into their cars."