Transport cost - when proving the TFL carer transport assistance, should LA calculate it as a cost to its budget or it comes off the TFL's budget? "A TfL Oyster card or Travelcard for a parent, carer or responsible adult to go with the child between home and school."

When comparing the cost of two placements, should carer's travelcard be calculated as a cost to the LA? Applications for a carer travelcard are made via the LA transport team however do the funds come from the LA budget?

TR

The Raven
N/A
16 May 2025

A: SenseCheck

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  • 24 May 2025
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    Can't answer yes or no.:

    I'm not entirely sure I have understood your question clearly enough to provide a definitive answer—though that may well be my oversight.

    Nonetheless, the following may be of assistance:

    09.14 In looking at the cost of a placement, does it make a difference if parents are prepared to pay the costs of transport?


    A few guiding principles may be helpful:

    a) In every case, the starting point should be to calculate the additional (or marginal) cost to the local authority—this includes the costs incurred by the Transport Department.


    b) Any claims regarding costs should be supported by appropriate evidence.
    By way of an illustrative—albeit fictional—example: suppose the local authority currently transports nine children to St Paul's School at an annual cost of £100,000, using a ten-seater minibus. The authority might assert that the cost of transporting a tenth child would amount to £10,000 (£100,000/ 10). However, as the minibus and driver are already being paid for regardless, the marginal cost of adding the tenth child may, in reality, be negligible or even zero.

     

    Sean Kennedy.

     

    Sean Kennedy

    Sean Kennedy

    24 May 2025