Home To School Transport - The Challenge In Counties

Our analysis outlines the significant financial and operational pressures faced by county authorities in delivering home‑to‑school transport, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We highlight rising demand, escalating costs, and widening gaps between statutory responsibilities and available resources.  While mainstream transport costs have remained broadly static, the report finds that this is in large part because councils have reduced eligibility to statutory minimum levels.  

In contrast, SEND transport has seen rapid growth in both demand and expenditure, driven by increases in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), more pupils attending special schools, complex needs requiring specialist transport, and inflationary pressures such as rising fuel costs.  

Key findings within the analysis:

• Total home‑to‑school transport costs for County Councils Network members rose from £472.6m to £555.6m (2016/17–2020/21).
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• SEND transport costs increased by 33%, from £260.5m to £347m. SEND pupils transported grew from 41,185 to 51,558 (+25%).
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• Mainstream pupils transported fell from 215,796 to 196,540 (‑9%). Yearly per‑SEND‑pupil cost increased by £206 to £6,099.
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• Taxis/minibuses for SEND pupils now account for 72% of spend.
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• Providers seeking contract increases of up to 20% due to rising fuel costs.

Recommendations to government include:

• Publish the SEND Review urgently with sustainable funding solutions.
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• Provide immediate short‑term funding to offset rising fuel‑driven contract costs. Incentivise mainstream inclusion of SEND pupils to reduce long‑distance transport.
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• Reflect rurality and transport pressures in national funding formulas.
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• Reform planning contributions to support transport in new developments.
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• Enable wider use of personal transport budgets where appropriate.