Durham County Council may stop offering spare seats on school buses to save money as travel costs are expected to reach £50 million by 2029/30. The proposal, set out in cabinet briefing papers published in early February 2026, aims to address a large budget gap in the council’s Home-to-School Transport service in County Durham.
The council says the Home-to-School Transport budget for 2025/26 is £38.8 million and it transports around 9,000 passengers a day. Officials warn that, if nothing changes, costs are projected to rise to about £50 million by 2029/30 — roughly an £11.2 million increase — driven by rising transport costs, growing numbers of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)/SEND who need specialist transport, and other pressures such as fuel and wage costs.
To help balance the books, the council is considering ending the ‘Maintained Concessionary Scheme’ — a discretionary arrangement that allows families who do not qualify for free travel to buy spare seats on existing school buses. The scheme currently supports 143 children at nine schools and the council says ending it would save about £200,000 a year. Campaigners say the change could disproportionately affect families in rural parts of County Durham where public transport alternatives are limited and safe walking routes may be impractical.
Under national statutory guidance, local authorities must provide free transport for certain eligible pupils but are not required to offer paid spare seats. Durham County Council’s cabinet is due to meet at County Hall at 10am on Wednesday 11 February 2026 to consider the proposals and related savings measures.
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