Families Left Stranded After Bus Service Cuts in Suffolk

Dozens of families in Suffolk are expressing frustration after the cancellation of a long-standing bus service, leaving them without reliable transportation for their children to Debenham High School. Suffolk County Council has announced that the DM317 route from Coddenham will cease operations starting in September, affecting many students who previously relied on the service. While the council will provide alternative routes for pupils with funded travel, over 20 students whose parents participated in the spare seat scheme will not receive similar support. Parents like Kate Haley, a resident of Little Stonham, are feeling the impact of this decision. Haley has been paying £360 per term for her daughter’s bus fare and voiced concerns about the challenges working parents face in getting their children to school. “We are being penalised for being working parents,” she lamented, highlighting the difficulties of balancing work and family responsibilities without accessible transportation. Another affected parent, Vale Brittain from Creeting St Mary, described the situation as "trapped," noting the lack of alternative public transport options in their village. Liza Ellen, a mother from Bedfield, shared her own struggles with similar service cuts in the past, emphasizing the ongoing challenges families face in securing reliable school transport. Suffolk County Council acknowledged the limitations of its resources, stating that while they strive to meet statutory obligations for school travel, the availability of spare seats is not guaranteed and may change. As the new academic year approaches, many families are left seeking solutions to this transportation crisis.