Southampton City Council is inviting people to comment on plans for how to provide travel services to get children to and from school.

Released on Monday, September 9, the School Travel Service's draft policy for 2025-2026 will be open for public consultation for seven weeks, with consultation events planned for schools, colleges, and families.

The policy is part of the adapt, grow, thrive transformation programme.

The council provides travel support for children and students who cannot make their way to school due to distance or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The policy outlines how the council will fulfil its statutory responsibilities under the Education Acts 1996 and 2011, and the Equality Act 2010.

Proposed changes to the current policy include separating the Post-16 Students Travel Policy Statement from the main School Travel Service Policy, changes to the mainstream school application requirements, and changes to how travel support is offered to post-16 students.

It also proposes an improved Personal Travel Budget offer, a reduced notice period for changes to travel support, and the removal of privilege places on taxis and minibuses.

Councillor Winning, cabinet member for children and learning, said: "As a council, we have a duty to support children, young people and adult learners with their school and post-16 education journey, providing they meet specific criteria for this support.

"The School Travel Service ensures that people can attend their education setting without barriers stopping them from doing so and provides vital support for many people to get to their place of learning.

"It is really important to have your say on the School Travel Policy so we can use your comments and feedback to ensure than we can continue to provide the right level of support."

The consultation documents include the draft School Travel Policy 2025-2026, the draft Post-16 Travel Policy Statement 2025-2026, a summary of the proposed changes, an easy-to-read consultation document, and a consultation questionnaire.

The consultation closes on Monday, October 28, at 5pm.

The council will review all comments and feedback to produce the final versions of the new School Travel Service Policies.

These will be published on the council’s School Travel Service web pages.

For more information on the consultation, visit the council's website.