Over 16s are set to start being charged for bus fare to use school transport as part of the council’s draft budget.

The change which is proposed to start in 2025 will see students aged 16 and over being charged for transport whilst also raising bus fare across the region.

Powys County Council have said the decision was one of many difficult choices to balance the budget which has risen by £18 million next year alone.

The plan to get rid of the free travel for over 16s is estimated to raise £400,000 over two years while the increases to bus fare is expected to raise a further £85,000.

READ MORE:

Cllr David Thomas, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation, said: “The council, which is again developing its financial plans in an extremely challenging economic context, is facing severe financial pressures for the 2024-25 financial year and the foreseeable future.

“Powys is not alone facing a bleak financial future, local government throughout Wales is facing the same severe pressures. The Welsh Local Government Association has said that councils in Wales will be facing an estimated funding shortfall of £432m.

Get in touch

Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@countytimes.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.

Along with these changes the council is also proposing on getting increases in contributions from Cross Boundary Councils to public transport of around £10,000.

Powys County Council cabinet will be considering the draft budget on Tuesday, January 16. If given the go-ahead, it will then be considered by Full Council on Thursday, February 22.