PARENTS in North Yorkshire are being asked their views on a proposal to cut school bus subsidies.

North Yorkshire County Council is looking to save £92m in four years by the end of March 2015.

It recently announced it would need to cut a further £77m between 2015 and 2019 after announcements by the Government over future funding for councils.

One of the services that will have its funding cut will include school transport.

It is due to carry out a public consultation on reducing the amount spent on bus subsidies by 25 per cent, or £1.1m a year.

It currently spends £4.4m a year subsidising the 20 per cent of bus journeys which are not commercially viable.

Schools are now sending out letters to parents setting out the decision to review all subsidised school transport arrangements. Parents will be given the chance to respond.

The council’s consultation will look at the overall impact of reducing funding for school buses, which will include making sure any cuts do not threaten the viability of any schools.

A final report into the proposals will then be put together in a report due to be published in January 2014.

County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Passenger Transport said: “In the past we have been able to subsidise buses for pupils who aren’t entitled to free transport, in the present financial climate we have to consider whether we can afford to continue this.

“We recognise that in some cases there are wider implications and will take careful account of all the factors when making a final decision.”