Derbyshire bus and train subsidy cuts approved

Up to 2,200 pupils at 47 schools in Derbyshire are to lose their bus subsidies after the county council agreed cuts in its transport budget.

The authority said the savings of almost £1m were part of plans to save £3.12m from its public transport budget over the next two years.

The Tory-controlled council also announced it was stopping subsidies on 42 local bus services.

It said some of the services were used by too few people and proved costly.

The council said the decision followed a three-month consultation with members of the public.

'Fair and equitable'

Tuesday's cabinet meeting also approved changes to its discounted travel scheme.

Half-price train travel for Gold Card holders will stop from 1 August 2011.

Derbyshire County Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, Councillor Chris Jackson, said: "I'd like to thank all those who responded to our consultation - we've tried to take into account the views expressed.

"It was clear from the response that we couldn't make all our budget savings from one area. So we've tried to make the cuts fair and equitable for all those who use public transport in Derbyshire.

"Some of the buses we support are being used by very few people and some are costing taxpayers nearly £9 per person per trip.

"In other cases there are alternative services available or we believe we can alter existing bus routes."

Seventy-three school bus services are affected by the cuts and the changes will come into effect at the start of the 2012 summer term.

The council said it would be working with schools and parents affected to see if alternatives could be found.