Parents in Castle Acre frustrated over unexpected bus fare hike affecting school transport
Families say theyre facing increased costs without prior notice
Families in Castle Acre have been left frustrated by an unforeseen rise in bus fares as children returned to school.
Amy Hart, a parent and parish clerk, expressed concern over the lack of communication and consultation regarding these changes, which have forced multiple parents to reconsider their transportation options.
Speaking on behalf of other parents, Amy condemned the absence of prior notice about the fare increase, stating that it appeared suddenly on the first day children were back at school.
For Amy, the cost of her sons monthly bus ticket went from £57 to £67 pounds per month.
The rise has left some parents considering the possibility of driving their children to school as an alternative, adding to the region's congestion problems.
Amy also added the pressure this adds to single working mums in the area:
" Working mums, single mums, having to change their own working hours to accommodate the drop off and pick up that they weren't expecting to do."
Concerns have also been raised as other daily costs continue to rise. Amy fears some parents wont be able to accommodate the rise in price:
"Parents are already facing a cost of living crisis, which is stretching them financially with rising food, water and energy bills."
School traffic and congestion already seems to be an issue in Lichem, with narrow roads, two schools and agricultural vehicles also sharing the roads.
Amy called for a review of the fare increase, proposing its removal as an apology gesture, or alternatively, implementing a temporary surcharge that would be re-evaluated in three months.
" Id like Central Connect to climb down. I'd like them to reduce that increase altogether, wipe it off, as an apology for the lack of consultation and to all the parents who've been affected on this route," she said.
Central Connect have said:
"We understand why this feels like a steep increase, and we do not dismiss what parents have said. Nobody wants a family to be driving to school because the bus has become too expensive, and we are sorry for the position this has put people in.
"We offer longer term passes that bring the equivalent cost per day down significantly, and any family on this route who has not looked at those should contact us at [email protected] so we can point them to the cheapest option for their child's pattern of travel. We would much rather have that conversation than see a child lose their place on the bus.”