Ilkley school buses could be swapped for train travel

Ilkley Grammar School pupils eligible for free travel will be given railcards if the plans go ahead

Pupils who use the bus to get to a West Yorkshire school could soon be asked to take the train instead.

Bradford Council is asking parents for their views on plans to discontinue buses to Ilkley Grammar School from Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale.

It said changing from bus to train travel from September would be more cost-effective, and more sustainable.

The authority said all pupils who currently receive free travel will continue to do so.

However, the change from buses to trains would enable the council to remove 10 bus journeys per day from the roads.

Consultation open

The bus services G23, G24, G25, G26 and G27 are used by hundreds of pupils to travel to and from school.

Bradford Council said it would instead issue railcards to pupils eligible for free transport, which could be used on trains between Ilkley and Burley-in-Wharfedale or Menston.

Fare-paying pupils will also be able to use these services, which run four times an hour at peak times, it said.

It said: "The Local Authority recognises that any change to the current transport offer may result in unforeseen issues that may need addressing.

"It is important to ensure that all interested parties are given the opportunity to express their views for consideration."

Anyone who would like to add their opinion to the consultation has until 31 March to do so.