Savings of close to £1m agreed in taxi bill for home-to-school transport

Savings of close to £1 million have been agreed with taxi firms which provide school transport provision in Northern Ireland.

The Education Authority (EA) has said the high cost of home-to-school transport costs is linked to a lack of school places for children with special educational needs (Send) in the region.

Concern has previously been expressed about the rising cost of transferring children to school by taxi.

The EA’s annual bill for taxi use has more than doubled in five years – growing from £19,428,826 in 2020-2021 to £39,753,169 in 2024-2025.

In December, the Press Association revealed that the EA is paying out up to £83 per mile to taxi firms.

It was also revealed that more than £20 million was paid out to just five taxi operators in Northern Ireland.

The EA, which delivers school services in the region, is seeking a series of savings as it attempts to plug a £300 million shortfall in its budget.

An EA statement said: “The absence of local provision for (Send) pupils has both a financial cost for EA, and, more importantly, a personal cost for pupils who have to face longer journeys than should be necessary.

“At present, only 26% of NI mainstream schools provide specialist Send classes.

“Until that number is significantly increased, too many children will continue to be educated outside their own communities, away from family and friends.

“And transport will be required to ensure they don’t miss out on school.”

The EA said it seeks to use Translink services or its own buses when available.

It also said it was “committed” to achieving savings in its taxi bill and had made a request to taxi operators for a voluntary reduction in bills.

The statement added: “We have so far agreed commitments from operators which amount to a total saving of £918,000 by the end of this financial year.

“Engagement with taxi operators is ongoing.”

It said contracts with taxi operators would be monitored and reviewed ahead of the 2026/27 academic year.

The statement added: “EA confirmed last month that the highest taxi rate it is being charged equates to £83 per mile pro rata.

“This case relates to a short journey of less than a mile, costing some £50 a day.

“For clarity, the rate was the lowest of six bids received from taxi operators.

“Contracts as a rule are awarded to the lowest bids, providing the operator meets all compliance requirements.”

Dale Hanna, the EA’s chief operations officer, said: “We will continue to engage with taxi operators to secure more savings and bear down on costs.

“We are grateful to all those operators who are working with us constructively.

“However, it must be emphasised that a significant proportion of the increase in taxi costs is connected to the shortfall in SEN places.

“Further specialist provision classes in mainstream schools are an absolute necessity.”

The EA said it had recently invited 300 mainstream schools from areas of highest Send placement need to engagement sessions on specialist provision.

It said around 90 of the schools attended.

It also said that a child’s statutory Send assessment will often specify a home-to-school transport requirement – and in some cases a recommendation is made for a child to be on their own when transported.

It said for some children with disabilities, modified transport for wheelchair users may be required.