Anger over bus charge

AN ANGRY grandmother from Beachlands at Pevensey Bay wants answers from the county council about the Westham school bus service which is free for her 7-year-old grandson Matthew, but 104 a term for her 9-year-old granddaughter Kate.

Grace Hurlock attended the county council s meeting in Lewes on Friday to ask whether the bus fares were used to generate profit, but came away wholly unsatisfied with the answer she was given, and found she was unable to engage the council in any kind of discussion.

The service, operated by the county council, is free of charge for all school pupils up to the age of eight, at which point they must start paying the full fare.

I can t understand why, when the bus is running anyway, these older children can t have a greater concession, said Grace. There has to be some kind of dialogue with the council to even try and resolve this.

We would be willing to listen, but it seems that they re not even willing to meet us half way.

At Friday s meeting, Grace s question was answered with: Of course we are concerned with safe transport. There is a charge for those who do not qualify for the free bus service, though it is a moderate one.

This was the first time that Grace had asked a question at a council meeting, and afterwards she said that perhaps her query was too direct.

You ask a straight question, and they just give you a straight answer, she said.

l Grace is pictured with a fellow campaigner on this issue, Eileen Wayman-Hales.