Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
09
May 2023
Company defends Nidderdale school bus cost amid price hike
A bus company has defended an increase in fares for a Nidderdale school service after the cost rose to nearly £1,000 a year.
The price of a bus from Ripon to Nidderdale High School jumped from £600 to £950 for the forthcoming school year starting in September.
The figure amounts to a 58% increase in price compared with the previous academic year.
Procters Coaches, which runs the bus, said diesel costs, wages and insurance meant the cost had to be passed on.
Jennie Eyres, who lives in Ripon, has a daughter heading to the school this September.
She said that she was “astonished” to find the hike in cost when she was looking to send her child to Nidderdale.
Ms Eyres said:
Ms Eyres said diesel prices had actually gone down since the middle of last summer, and should not be cited as a reason for the fare increase, adding:
Read more:
- Two Harrogate primary schools to install solar panels
- Tim Milburn appointed headteacher of Harrogate’s Rossett School
Nidderdale High, which has 401 pupils on its roll, said it had subsidised the cost that had been passed on as part of the bus contract.
Kath Jordan, headteacher at the school, pointed out that governors had taken the decision to subsidise the cost “very significantly” despite the hike.
She added that officials at Nidderdale were mindful of the cost of living when setting prices for parents.
She said:
Kevin Procter, managing director at Procters Coaches, said his company had to handle the cost of inflation like other businesses.
Mr Procter, who has run the school bus for six years, said he sympathised with parents but had to make the service cost-effective.
He said:
0