Wiltshire Council invests in fleet for SEND school transport
The authority's put £1.4 million into leasing vehicles and employing drivers
A new fleet of vehicles has been brought into Wiltshire Council to help them deliver school transport for SEND pupils.
The authority's invested £1.4 million into 37 minibuses, 20 people carriers and employing drivers to get young people with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities to and from school.
The Council's has well-documented problems in recent years with having enough transport available to support around 240 families around Wiltshire.
An additional 50 drivers have been recruited, to create a full complement of 80 drivers.
Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for SEND said:
“We have taken on the transport contract and invested in these first class vehicles as part of our commitment to ensuring our SEND children can arrive at school safely and comfortably.
“We are committed in our business plan to find the right specialist support for children with SEND and to help achieve that, we need to also ensure the support is there to provide them with transport to attend. I want to thank all our SEND drivers, and our Passenger Assistants who travel with pupils, for being part of this essential service and I look forward to seeing our new fleet across Wiltshire.”
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said:
“We have invited families to see the new vehicles and many have taken up the offer in advance of the school term. This new fleet underlines our commitment to providing the right support so pupils can feel safe, relaxed and ready to start their day."