We call for free transport for all under 18s who must stay in education, employment, or training, and we ask our local MP Caroline Voaden to act on the lack of accountability from Stagecoach in delivering the service people are paying for.

At school times, the buses are often too small for the number of young people who need them. The buses that do run are often late, do not turn up, or pass children waiting at bus stops. This leaves families stuck with no reliable way to get young people to where they need to be. It also puts pressure on parents and carers, who may have to phone work, lose pay, and then drive their children into school anyway when the bus is cancelled, late, or does not stop.

A bus pass for September to January costs £466, and that is a huge amount for families already trying to keep up with the cost of everyday life. When the service is unreliable, people are being asked to pay more and still take on the extra burden themselves.

Young people need dependable transport to stay in education, employment, or training. If that transport cannot be provided properly, then it should not fall on families to carry the cost and stress. We urge Caroline Voaden to stand up for local families and push for free, reliable transport for under 18s so that access to education and work is fair for everyone.