Changes in RCT
I have continuously raised the impact of the lack of school transport since being elected in 2021. School Transport is a vital service for our communities as it supports access to education for families that would otherwise struggle with the cost of transport, which in turn affects their cost of living in general.
In March 2024, RCT Council formally approved a change to its Home to School Transport policy, raising the eligibility distance for secondary pupils from 2 miles to 3 miles, citing a £35m budget gap. This decision meant around 2,300 pupils would lose free transport from September 2025.
From spring to summer 2024, parents across Rhondda Cynon Taf began informally organising as the implications of proposed school transport cuts became clear, particularly in valley and rural communities with limited pavements and public transport, raising concerns about child safety, affordability, attendance, and equality of access to education.
Save School Transport RCT Campaign
In October 2024 the campaign became public with the formal emergence of Save the School Transport RCT, a parent led group—made up largely of mothers—from across the county borough. During the same period, I was able to raise the issue directly with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, securing a commitment to hold a Senedd debate on school transport, and calling for reform of the Learner Travel Measure. Despite this opposition, the transport cuts came into force at the start of the September 2025 school year, after which families reported children arriving late due to unreliable public buses, increased absenteeism, and significant financial hardship for low income households.
Senedd Debates and Petition
An initial Senedd debate on 8 October 2024 was criticised by campaigners for failing to address concerns about safety, poverty, long journey times and the lack of safe walking routes, with ministers seen as relying on existing guidance rather than proposing reform.
The issue then moved to the Senedd Petitions Committee after two petitions, including one submitted by Cynon Valley campaigner Tina Collins, attracted nearly 14,000 signatures, leading to further scrutiny of the 2008 Learner Travel Measure in November 2025. Although the process raised the profile of learner travel and increased cross party pressure, it did not result in immediate policy change, and campaigners continued to call for a full overhaul of the system.
Campaigners met Welsh Government officials for the first time in November 2025 and although promises were made of continued engagement, follow up meetings were repeatedly delayed or did not materialise.
The Save School Transport RCT petition was formally debated in the Senedd in January and I was glad to welcome Tina Collins and campaigners from Save the School Transport RCT Campaign to the Senedd yesterday along with Becci Smart from Bridgend ahead of the debate. This is a culmination of years of campaigning to improve access across Wales. I was grateful, as ever, to everyone who got in touch before the debate, sharing with me their experience of school transport and ideas about what needs to change.
The Fight Continues
The evidence shows the current statutory thresholds and guidance are not working. The Welsh Government is reviewing the guidance, but urgent action and cross-party cooperation is needed to ensure every child can access education safely.
I will continue to support parents, learners and campaigners in trying to secure the changes that are needed.
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