PARENTS have spoken of their “shock and outrage” at the proposed scrapping of Bradford school bus services.

Cash-strapped Bradford Council is proposing to remove school bus services at Bingley Grammar School and St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College from September 2025 in a bid to save £500,000.

St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic CollegeSt Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College (Image: Google Street View)

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “The council is facing unprecedented financial challenges and needs to look at every area where it can make savings.

“The proposals to remove dedicated bus services to Bingley Grammar School and St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College could save Bradford Council in excess of £0.5million a year.

“The proposals are subject to consultation and would also need approval by the council’s Executive. If agreed, they would be implemented from September 2025.

“There are very few children who use these buses who actually qualify for free transport, and those who do so would continue to have assisted transport provided for them whatever the outcome of the consultation.

“The council is working with the schools concerned to address any issues that could arise if the proposals go ahead.”

The proposal has outraged parents at St Bede’s and St Joseph’s and a petition opposing the scrapping of the bus services has been launched.

The petition, which is on Change.org, has been signed by more than 800 people in less than 48 hours, showing the strength of local opposition to the proposed cuts, which campaigners say would pose a “serious risk” to children's safety and education.

Georgina Clayton, who started the petition, said: “Students, parents, school staff and local residents will be impacted by the scrapping of the dedicated bus service.

“Without the bus service, many students will need to take two buses, adding up to an hour and a half of travel time before and after school.”

Laura Slack, a supporter of the petition, added: “My son attends SBSJ and I would be extremely worried for his safety travelling to and from school without the dedicated bus service.

“This service has been going for so long and there are reasons for this.

“It would be detrimental to the students’ welfare and attendance.

“It will have a huge negative impact on their education and families choosing this school going forward.”

Lawrence Bentley, headteacher of St Bede’s and St Joseph’s, wrote to parents today to say that it would “stridently challenge the proposal”.

Mr Bentley wrote: “I write to inform you of a significant development.

“During the half term break, it came to light that Bradford Council, as part of their budgeting plans, were considering the removal of the dedicated bus services to SBSJ beginning September 2025.

“This proposal will have an impact on over 900 students who currently access these services.

“The College, in collaboration with the Trust and the Diocese of Leeds, are stridently challenging this proposal and have already met with the Director of Children’s Services and the Head of the Combined Authority last week as a starting point.”

One parent, who lives in Undercliffe with his son who attends the school, said: “As a concerned parent, I am reaching out on behalf of hundreds of families in the Bradford area who are outraged by Bradford Council’s proposal to withdraw the dedicated school bus service to St Bede's and St Joseph's.

“This decision, made without regard for the profound impact on our community, has sparked intense backlash.

“The proposed withdrawal of this essential service has left many parents feeling shocked and betrayed.

“For years, the school bus has provided students with a safe, reliable means of travel to the only Catholic high school in the area, which serves families from all over the district.

“Without this service, our children will be forced to navigate some of Bradford’s busiest and most dangerous roads, like Queen’s Road, which is notorious for reckless and antisocial driving. The safety of our children is at risk.

“Additionally, many students with disabilities rely on this service as their primary, safe transportation option.

“Parents of children with autism and other needs are now left scrambling to find alternative solutions, which are often costly and unsafe.”

The parent, whose son is autistic, said: “I worry about my son who doesn’t assess risks properly when crossing roads.

“I’ve written to my local MP Imran Hussain and local councillors to express my concerns.”

In his letter to the T&A, the parent added: “Adding to the frustration, this bus service is not fully subsidised—families pay for it, making this decision even more incomprehensible.

“We call on the council to reconsider and reverse this unjust decision before it endangers our children’s safety and disrupts our families’ lives.

“Our community deserves better, and we will continue to fight until this essential service is restored.”

To view and sign the petition visit Change.org/SaveSBSJSchoolBus