BISHOP Auckland MP Helen Goodman has condemned plans to deny sixth-form students free transport to their schools and colleges.
She said that sixth-form students in her constituency are being charged more than £100 a term to take the bus to their college or school.
She said: "I am receiving more and more complaints about lack of free school transport and charges being imposed on students simply for travelling to their nearest place of study. It is especially a problem in rural areas where the nearest school can be many miles away and bus services are limited at best."
Mrs Goodman believes free transport for educational purposes should be available up to the age of 18.
"I have now taken up this matter with Durham County Council, as it neeeds to think again about its policy."
She added: "Charging for school transport is a real step backwards. After all, I had free bus travel to school in the Seventies and my father had it in the Thirties."
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