School runs for 19,000 Norfolk children at risk from fuel costs

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 16:41 · Archive

Coach companies transporting 19,000 Norfolk schoolchildren have warned services could be cut due to soaring fuel prices.

Coach companies transporting 19,000 Norfolk schoolchildren have warned that services could be cut unless they get help with soaring fuel prices. Operators say they may have to return some contracts to Norfolk County Council because the money they currently receive under those deals no longer covers their costs.

Council leaders are pleading with the government to provide £5m to help cover the operators' rising costs, with warnings that some companies could be at risk of going under. Charles Sanders, managing director of Sanders Coaches in Holt, said the fuel crisis had added £300,000 to his company's costs over the past six months. Of his 110 coaches, 70 are used for school transport, but he warned the company was having to consider whether it could afford to keep running them all.

Sanders said that if costs continue to rise at the current rate, his company faces an extra £700,000 per year. He cited rising tyre prices and other increases alongside fuel costs. He said the company has not replaced some drivers who left and is considering whether it can afford to buy new vehicles.

How it is being reported

• School runs for 19,000 Norfolk children at risk as fuel costs soarCoach companies which transport 19,000 Norfolk schoolchildren have warned some services could be axed unless they are helped with rocketing fuel prices.Eastern Daily Press · 3 Nov, 16:00
• School runs for 19,000 Norfolk children at risk as fuel costs soarCoach companies which transport 19,000 Norfolk schoolchildren have warned some services could be axed unless they are helped with rocketing fuel prices.Norwich Evening News · 3 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Norfolk County Council · Sanders Coaches · Charles Sanders · Norfolk · Holt

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log