“Absolute Carnage” as School Transport Cuts Hit Rhondda!
Parents and kids in Rhondda Cynon Taf are facing what many are calling utter chaos with the start of the new school year due to cuts in free school transport. The new rules mean only students living three miles or further from their school are eligible for free buses, compared to the previous two-mile threshold.
The result? Overcrowded buses, massive queues, and heavy traffic as everyone scrambles to get kids to school safely. Elaine Buss, a local grandparent, described the scenes as “absolute carnage,” with children being pushed and crammed onto packed buses.
Stories are pouring in from parents all over, like Julie Phelps whose daughter had to rely on delayed trains, causing them to consistently arrive late to Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda. Meanwhile, Kayleigh Hopkins faced a traffic nightmare, describing school drop-off as a “shambles,” with journeys taking far longer than they should.
Local councillor Karl Johnson expressed fears that the situation is “an accident waiting to happen,” urging the council to sort it out before someone gets hurt.
With winter fast approaching and no quick fix in sight, the chaos is causing stress and frustration for families across the county. What’s your take on the situation? Share your stories and let us know how you’re coping!