A Renfrewshire councillor is demanding “urgent answers” over cuts to an after-school bus for pupils at Park Mains High School.
Scottish Conservative Councillor James MacLaren said the decision to cut the service, funded by Park Mains High School, from four nights a week to two nights is having a “serious impact” on pupils from Langbank’s ability to attend after school activities at the school.
During a meeting of Langbank Community Council at the beginning of the month parents expressed their disappointment at the reduced service. At the meeting, Councillor MacLaren confirmed he will be contacting council officials to see if the service can be fully re-instated.
Budgets cuts and a reduced pupil uptake of the service is thought to be the reason behind the reduced bus service.
The reduction in the after-school bus service came into effect in August and operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Renfrewshire Council conformed Park Mains High have rotated activities and study classes to ensure they are available for pupils to attend when the bus service is in operation.
Councillor MacLaren said: “The decision to reduce this after-school bus service from four nights a week to two nights is deeply disappointing.
“The SNP Government’s continued savage cuts to local authorities means budget decisions are getting ever harder for Renfrewshire Council.
“However, this decision is misguided and parents are understandably concerned about the serious impact this is having on their children.
“Many pupils from Langbank who attend Park Mains High School are now simply unable to attend activities after school which will only be harming their development.”
Cllr McLaren added: “I am seeking urgent answers from Renfrewshire Council officials as to why this decision was taken and whether there is any scope for a full service to be delivered to pupils who live in my ward and attend Park Mains High School.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “The after-school bus service is funded by Park Mains High School for supported study and after school activities to take place and is not part of the council’s home to school transport.
“The decision by the school to reduce the after-school bus service from four days to two days per week was informed by budgets and a reduced pupil uptake of the service – and was discussed at a recent meeting of the Parent Council.
“The school has rotated activities and study classes to ensure a range of activities are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for pupils to attend when the bus service is in operation.”