David Warburton MP for Somerton and Frome has launched a campaign to improve school bus services in rural Somerset.

Through his "A Better Bus to School" campaign, David will bring together local authorities, stakeholders, schools and bus companies with the aim of significantly improving rural bus provision, increasing capacity, routes, regularity and the overall quality of bus services for school children in the region.

David Warburton MP said: "An increasing number of parents have contacted me to express their frustration with the inadequacy of school bus services in Somerset. Many rural areas simply are not served with a regular bus which can effectively get their children to school, and – where there is a service - many buses are overcrowded to the point of being dangerous."

"Not every parent or carer has the time or resources to drive their children to and from school. I've heard from parents being forced to home-school their children simply due to lack of local transport provision to get them to the classroom. Other cases include children, particularly those with special needs, who are frightened of catching the bus each morning - overcrowding and lack of seats makes them feel unsafe during the journey. Some buses have up to 28 children forced to stand, which creates dangerous conditions particularly for younger children and those who are vulnerable."

Last week David raised his concerns in the House of Commons, asking the Education Minister what specific steps he is taking to help ensure that children in rural communities with limited public transport are able to attend school. The Minister confirmed that the Department regularly talks to the Department for Transport about school transport, and last year gave Somerset over £1.1 million of additional funding for school and college transport. During the next spending review period, authorities will receive an extra £1.6 billion a year to maintain vital services such as these.

David continued: "Although a significant amount of government funding is being granted for school and college transport, it doesn't appear to be getting to the root of the ongoing problem here in Somerset. In order to build up a picture of the scale of the problem, I have written to schools in my constituency inviting them to get in touch to outline their own experience of school bus provision, and I'm arranging meetings with local authorities, stakeholders and Ministerial colleagues to highlight this critical issue in our area. Somerset's school-children deserve better."