A new consultation launched on 11 June 2025 has raised eyebrows across Wales, as the Welsh Government seeks public feedback on school transport rules, just months before the May 2026 Senedd election. Critics are questioning the motives behind the timing, accusing ministers of reacting under pressure following mounting public outrage and damning criticism from watchdogs.
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The consultation document, Learner Travel Operational Guidance 2025, gives local authorities until 3 September 2025 to respond. But many parents and campaigners say it’s too little, too late.
“This feels like panic policymaking,” said one campaigner from Rhondda Cynon Taf. “It’s been clear for years that the current system is failing children, and only now, with an election looming, are they asking for views.”
At the heart of the issue is the statutory distance requirement for school transport. Under current rules, children under 8 must live more than 2 miles from school to qualify for free transport; for older children, the distance is 3 miles. This means some secondary pupils are expected to walk up to 6 miles per day, often in harsh weather, to access their right to education.
The Welsh Children’s Commissioner has criticised this standard as outdated and damaging. “Current mileage thresholds for school transport are too high,” the Commissioner said. “Some children are expected to walk long distances, sometimes in addition to a bus journey. This creates a barrier to attendance.”
The warning echoes concerns raised by Estyn, Wales’ education watchdog, which highlighted the impact of long, unsafe or exhausting commutes on pupil attendance and mental well-being. Even the Welsh Government’s own interim review in 2021 acknowledged these risks — yet no changes have been implemented until now.
Adding to the controversy, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council recently cut discretionary transport for children living between 2 and 3 miles from school, triggering protests, petitions, and community anger. The move was made without full public consultation, sparking accusations of neglect in one of Wales’ most deprived areas.
Campaigners argue that instead of funding basic services, councils have spent millions on questionable projects — such as the heavily criticised tea garden development in Pontypridd, seen by many as a “fantasy project” offering little to struggling families.
“Why do we have money for vanity schemes but not to get our children to school safely?” asked one parent. “Our council tax keeps rising, but our children are being left behind.”
The newly launched consultation proposes updated guidance for assessing walking routes, clarifying that they must be safe for an unaccompanied child, or with an escort depending on age. However, the guidance still reinforces the three-mile limit — a key point of contention.
While local authorities are advised to follow road safety best practices (such as those set by RoSPA), families fear that any improvements will be cosmetic rather than substantive unless the core mileage rule is addressed.
With just under a year to the Welsh Government elections on 7 May 2026, pressure is mounting for a rethink. Many residents are calling for a new government “that puts children’s safety and public health first.”
As one parent put it, “This isn’t just about buses — it’s about fairness, climate resilience, and making sure every child in Wales can get to school safely, whatever the weather.”
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