Hertfordshire County Council has asked parents and students in Watford to share their views on a plan that would change how young people get to school or college. From February 18, 2026, the council is seeking public feedback to decide if Personal Travel Budgets should become the standard way for families to arrange their own transport instead of using council-contracted taxis or minibuses.
Under the new proposal, Personal Travel Budgets would become the default transport offer for students aged 16 to 18. These budgets would give families a set amount of money, often calculated at a rate of 55p per mile, to pay for their own transport arrangements starting in September 2026.
Hertfordshire County Council says that council-hired taxis and minibuses would only be provided in exceptional cases. This change comes as the council deals with an £81 million deficit in its budget for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as transport costs for these students have doubled to over £30.7 million in just five years.
Families have until April 12, 2026, to give their feedback on how these changes might affect daily journeys to local places like West Herts College. A final decision on the travel plan is expected to be made by the council’s Cabinet in May 2026.
