These changes result from distressing funding cuts imposed by the Education Authority (EA) in Northern Ireland, which will reduce transport fares for SEN pupils by 10%. This decision has sent shockwaves through the taxi driver community, parents around the country, and advocacy organizations. This unprecedented step comes on the heels of a funding black hole expected to reach £300 million. Consequently, we need to find big cuts in every other part of the budget.
Spending on taxi services to transport SEN pupils has surged. It’s on track to quadruple from more than £19.4 million in the 2020/2021 fiscal year to a projected £40 million by 2024/2025. As it stands today, more than 4,600 pupils who have a statement of SEN are dependent on taxis to take them back and forth to school each day.
Geoff has been an immensely dedicated taxi driver of six years, transporting SEN children. He should be appalled by the recent series of fare cuts. He made it very clear that the proposed cuts would make his work economically unviable.
“I have been lifting those kids for the last six years and it’s the price that I put in six years ago that I’m still doing it for,” – Geoff Scott.
“That bond that taxi drivers had with the EA where we signed a contract and we thought we were going to service that contract for the foreseeable future, that is now broken.”
Dorothy Murray, co-founder of the parents’ organization SEN Reform NI and mother to a young daughter with SEN, voiced her concerns over how these cuts could negatively impact vulnerable children. She stressed the need to keep children at the center of any budgeting choices.
“Our children are the most vulnerable in society and their safety and needs should come first always,” – Ms. Murray.
Murray pointed out that many SEN children are being placed in schools far from their homes, which exacerbates transportation costs. She has called on the EA to explain why these fare cuts are being proposed. She is seeking additional information about the decision.
In an effort to mitigate the financial strain, the EA has stated that they are considering “renegotiating payments to taxi operators” as part of their cost-saving measures announced last month. An EA spokesperson mentioned that they have reached out to all transport providers to solicit their cooperation in reducing costs.
“We have written to all providers to ask for their support in reducing this significant cost,” – EA spokesperson.
The Department of Education (DE) was recently able to win approximately £25 million from within a reshuffle of the Stormont budget. This funding will only return attention to fixing teachers’ pay negotiations ahead of the 2025/26 academic year.
As a result, taxi drivers are terrified by the proposed fare reductions. Their logic is that any proposals to lower fares would jeopardise their livelihoods and lead to a decline in the service provided to SEN children. Scott explained that the drivers have all signed long-term contracts that were established under a different fare structure.
Pat, a long-time London taxi driver, is outraged about the upcoming deep fare cut. Specifically, he worries about what happens with the timing and meaning of these changes.
“Drivers have given up work to take on a nine-month contract; you are three or four months into the contract and these people are telling you we want you to take a voluntary 10% reduction, and if you don’t we will put it out to tender again,” – Pat.
John Jeffers from the Oregon League of Conservation Voters is planning a meeting on this topic for Wednesday night. He wants to galvanize the entire industry to fight back against these proposed cuts. He emphasized the importance of unity amongst cab drivers as they fight these battles.
“We will continue to work closely with all providers to ensure the Home to School Transport Service delivers value for money and is sustainable,” – EA spokesperson.
As these conversations continue, parents and drivers alike have their eyes peeled. Like you, they don’t want fare cuts to reduce the quality of service or affect the children who depend on this specialized transportation. Whatever the result of Wednesday’s session, it will be carefully observed by all parties—friends and foes—on both sides of this impasse.
