Free school transport places for children starting school in 2027 in parts of Cumbria are at risk.
Westmorland & Furness Council is reviewing the non-statutory service and if it stops providing free school transport, it would save almost £2 million over five years.
If the proposals to stop the service, it would affect youngsters starting reception, year 7 intakes and pupils eligible for SEND post-16 transport from 2027.
Over 1,500 free school transport places would be cut for primary and secondary schoolchildren who live within the statutory walking distance of their nearest school and pupils who choose to attend a school which was not their nearest.
Councillors will also consider the introduction of charges for post-16 SEND pupils.
The worst-affected would be secondary school pupils who attend a school which was not their nearest.
The council estimated that 120 would be impacted in 2027/28 with 600 estimated to be affected once the policy was fully embedded, which would take five years.
Officers said that this cut, alongside 49 primary school children over the course of five years, could generate £1 million over that period.
The removal of free transport for children who are not yet compulsory school age – four years old – would see 64 impacted in 2027/28 with 448 affected once it was fully embedded after seven years.
The introduction of charges for post-16 SEND pupils would affect 87 over the course of its two-year implementation, with savings of up to £94,000 yearly based on the current cohort.
A further 87 pupils would be affected by the introduction of a hierarchy of transport assistance – saving the council a potential of up to £100,000 a year.
Councillors will debate the proposals at the Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Committee on Monday, April 20 at 1pm at the Care Leavers Hub on Greengate Street, Barrow.
A final decision on the proposals will not be made until the council cabinet meeting on July 14.
