Making a difference to the people of Medway

Shock Labour calls to end yellow bus scheme

Press release posted on Wednesday, 20 January 2010

Conservative councillors have expressed shock at Labour’s surprise call for yellow buses to be scrapped from Medway’s schools.

The popular scheme was introduced in 2003 by the Conservative Medway Council and now serves eight schools across the community.

The yellow buses offer a dedicated and safe service for children who cannot walk or cycle to school.

Local Labour councillors made the astonishing demand during a Council meeting on Thursday 14th January 2010, which comes weeks before councillors have to set the budget for next year.

Whilst Medway Council is facing a £8 million shortfall, it is working to make efficiency savings, which don’t impact on front line services such as yellow buses.

Deputy Leader Alan Jarrett said “parents and students greatly value the yellow bus scheme that we have introduced and would be appalled by the mean spirited attempt of opposition Labour councillors to deprive students of this scheme.

“We have introduced a number of measures to assist Medway’s students, which includes expanding the half price bus fare scheme to 18 year olds. These are measures that Labour councillors have voted against time and time again when setting the budget.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Further information on the routes and schools served by the yellow bus scheme can be found on Medway Council’s website here