SCHOOL TRANSPORT CONTRACTS: Are councils and the public missing the mark on taxi costs and responsibility?
Updated: Jan 5
The provision of school transport services, particularly for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), has become a growing area of contention. With councils increasingly reliant on taxi operators to fill gaps left by inadequate public transport networks, the cost of these services has come under intense scrutiny. But is the criticism being levelled at taxi drivers and operators fair?
Taxi services play a vital role in ensuring pupils without viable public transport options can get to school. For many SEND students, this personalised mode of transport is essential. However, as councils grapple with rising transport budgets, some local communities have shifted the blame onto the taxi trade, accusing operators of charging too much for these contracts and services.
The Real Cost of Taxi Services
A taxi ride will inevitably cost more than a bus journey. Unlike buses, which transport multiple passengers over fixed routes, taxis offer a tailored service, often catering to a single passenger at a time. This bespoke model comes with higher operational costs—fuel, maintenance, licensing, and insurance—factors that directly influence metered or fixed priced fares.
Councils themselves set these metered fares, establishing what is deemed fair and viable for the local taxi trade to operate from. These rates reflect the actual costs required to run a taxi service sustainably. Yet, when it comes to school transport contracts, many local residents and councils expect fixed prices that fall below these metered rates.
This practice raises serious questions. If councils understand the economics of operating a taxi, why are they setting expectations that could undermine the viability of the trade? For taxi operators, agreeing to below-metered rates, especially during peak rush-hour periods, it often means accepting reduced profitability. Arguably this is not a sustainable model for a sector already under pressure from rising costs and competition.
The Impact of Unfair Scrutiny
The focus on taxi pricing has had a noticeable impact on the trade. Some drivers and operators are choosing to step back from school transport contracts altogether, deterred by the financial and administrative burdens they entail. This trend risks leaving councils with fewer options to fulfil their legal obligations to provide transport for pupils, particularly those with SEND requirements.
The Role of Public Transport
At the heart of the school transport debate is the lack of accessible and reliable public transport in rural areas. For councils, the reliance on taxis is not a preference but a necessity driven by the absence of viable alternatives. Investing in improved public transport infrastructure could reduce dependence on taxis and alleviate the financial pressures associated with these contracts.
However, addressing public transport shortcomings is a long-term endeavour, requiring significant investment and strategic planning, costs that the public might not appreciate. In the meantime, taxis remain a critical component of the transport system for pupils, especially those with SEND. Ensuring that these services are adequately funded and fairly priced is essential to maintaining their availability.
Reframing the Debate
The ongoing debate about school transport costs needs to be reframed. Rather than placing blame on taxi operators for high costs, attention should be directed at the structural issues driving these expenses. There should also be a focus on the positives that a thriving taxi service plays in the community that allows all children the access to education.
At the same time, councils and the public should reassess their expectations around taxi pricing. If metered fares are deemed fair for the general public, they should also be fair for school transport contracts. Expecting operators to accept reduced rates is both unrealistic and counterproductive long-term.
Ultimately, ensuring that all pupils, including those with SEND, have access to reliable transport is a shared responsibility. Councils, operators, and policymakers must work together to find sustainable solutions that balance affordability with the needs of the community. Anything less risks failing the very pupils these services are meant to support.
