Council takes over the school run

The council provides free transport to 20,000 pupils every day

A council is to run its own school bus service in an effort to cut costs.

Durham County Council provides free transport for 20,000 pupils every school day at a cost of £12m each year.

But a two-year pilot scheme starts on Monday when three buses will carry 200 pupils from Sherburn Village to Belmont Comprehensive School.

The new buses have been customised for school travel with safety features including CCTV and numbered seats for which each pupil is responsible.

The route involved in the pilot programme was previously run by a private bus operator.

The council currently provides free travel to all pupils - primary and secondary - who live more than two miles from the nearest suitable school.

But the £12m cost of providing the service comes out of the education budget, and has increased by 73% in the past four years.

Each 68-seater bus has cost £108,000, and if the project proves successful, it could be extended to other routes in the county.