The Campaign for Better Transport has claimed nearly 80% of local authorities have cut funding for school and college transport programmes since 2010, with children in rural areas bearing worst affected.
In a report published today, the group warn these cutbacks have resulted in more than 100m additional car journeys each year as local authorities reduce school transport services to the statutory minimum.
The group estimate outside of London, around 300,000 children and 50,000 young people have lost their transport to school or college since 2008.
The Campaign is now urging the government to extend statutory school transport provision up to the age of 18 years old.
The charity is also calling for the Buses Bill, which…