Action for Buses

Introduction

As part of our ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our students, we are addressing a significant issue that has recently emerged. Bradford Council has proposed discontinuing the dedicated bus service for St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College, starting in September 2025. This service currently provides safe, reliable transportation for over 900 students and is essential to many families across our community.

We at Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust, in collaboration with the Diocese of Leeds and St Bede’s & St Joseph’s, are actively challenging this proposal. This web page provides key information, resources, and actionable steps for families, including template letters, survey forms, and a contact directory, to ensure your voices are heard. We are committed to keeping all families informed and encourage everyone to participate in the consultation process to support our students’ needs.

The consultation runs from 6 November to midnight on 18 December 2024.

Background Information

Earlier this term, Bradford Council announced a proposal to discontinue the dedicated bus service for St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College, which could take effect from September 2025. This service currently supports more than 900 students, representing roughly half of the school’s population, and serves as a vital link between students’ homes and the school’s two sites, Ignis and Ardor.

The bus service is more than just a means of transport—it ensures that students travel safely, arriving at school and returning home under secure and consistent conditions. Students currently board and disembark within the school grounds, an essential safeguard for their wellbeing and safety.

If the service is removed, families would likely face substantial increases in both transportation costs and travel times. Estimates suggest that individual fares could increase by as much as 150%, a rise that many families will struggle to accommodate. Additionally, students would likely need to take multiple, less direct bus routes, significantly increasing travel distances and the likelihood of delays.

Beyond the financial strain and the safety concerns for our families, this proposal could have wider implications for high schools across Bradford. Should a large number of students seek alternative schools, it could lead to overcrowding in other schools, increased classroom sizes, and additional logistical challenges for the council.

Bradford Council - Consultation on removal of the dedicated bus services B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B14, B15, B17, B18, B22, B23, and B25 to St Bede's & St Joseph's Catholic College

Our Response

Statement from the Trust on the decision to challenge the proposal:

trust bus service response.pdf

Action Steps for Families

We encourage all families to join us in opposing Bradford Council’s proposal to remove the dedicated bus service for St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College. Your involvement is essential in ensuring that councillors and MPs fully understand the impact this decision could have on our students, families, and the wider community. Here are some ways you can support this campaign:

Contact Local Councillors and MPs

Reach out to your local councillors and MPs to express your concerns directly. Sharing your perspective on how the removal of this bus service would affect your family and your child’s education is crucial to our efforts. Personal messages can have a strong impact.

schooltravelconsult@bradford.gov.uk

Write to:

School Transport Manager

Travel Assistance Service

Britannia House

Broadway

Bradford, BD1 1HX

Please ensure comments and views are sent to this email or address to ensure they are included in the consultation.

Your Councillors by Ward

Use Sample Letters
To assist you in reaching out, we’ve prepared sample letters you can use or personalise when contacting councillors or MPs. These letters highlight key points about the proposal’s impact on safeguarding, costs, and accessibility, and they’re available in both primary and secondary school versions.

• SBSJ Bus service response download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineSBSJ Bus service response
• Primary Bus Service Response download_for_offline
  download_for_offlinePrimary Bus Service Response

Complete the Feedback Form
We’ve created a feedback form where you can share your thoughts and specific concerns regarding the bus service proposal. Your responses will help us represent our community’s views effectively and demonstrate the level of concern among families. 

Complete the form here

Sign the Petition
Add your voice to the campaign by signing the petition to save the SBSJ school bus service. Your signature can make a significant impact in advocating for our children's safety and education.
Sign the Petition Here

Join the Community Facebook Group
Connect with other parents and families by joining our dedicated Facebook group. Share updates, discuss strategies, and support each other in this campaign.

Save our SBSJ School Bus Service

Share the Message!
Encourage other parents and community members to get involved by reaching out to local representatives and sharing their perspectives. The more voices we have supporting this cause, the stronger our impact will be.

Updates Section

This section will provide regular updates on our progress, upcoming meetings, and any new developments related to the proposal.

• Local News Coverage

A recent article from The Telegraph & Argus captures the community’s response to the proposal and the concerns raised by parents. You can read the article here:

Parents outraged by proposed withdrawal of school bus services

Recent media coverage highlights the serious implications of Bradford Council's proposal to terminate the dedicated bus service for St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College. The article explores fears that these cuts could jeopardise the school’s accessibility, safety for students, and even its long-term viability. Read the full article here:

Fears bus service cuts would 'threaten existence' of Bradford Catholic school

Contact Information

Dedicated email address for feedback and inquiries: actionforbuses@bcwcat.co.uk