Central Connect and Norfolk council in row over bus fare hike

Central Connect said longer term passes are available at cheaper rates and it urged parents to speak with them about their options.

But parents choosing to get a weekly bus pass say the increases are still putting them in a difficult financial position.

Laura Patrick, 37, who works as a senior dispenser at a GP practice, has had to change her hours so she can take her two children to the school instead.

She said: “To send both my children on the bus would be about £56 a week, which is a day’s work for me which I just can’t afford to lose on bus fare. The increase is astronomical.”

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As well as the hit on their wallets, parents are also frustrated the bus company did not give them any warning about the fare hike.

Ashley’s daughter turned up to the bus on the first day of term with just £2 when she found out about the increase but fortunately was let on anyway.

Amy Hart, 46, who works as a clerk for a parish council, added: “There was no forewarning, no consultation with parents, I was just shocked.”

She added that with more parents driving to school now, it is making congestion on the roads to Litcham more of a problem.