Education bosses at the University of Gloucestershire have decided to slash a free inter-campus bus service. The university has campuses in Cheltenham and Gloucester. The free bus service had been subsidised by the university, but students will now be charged 70p to get to lectures. In March, staff had been asked to consider taking voluntary redundancy in a bid to save cash when it was revealed £5 million savings were needed. Fifty staff have now taken voluntary redundancy with a handful being made compulsorily redundant.
University of Gloucestershire slashes free bus service to students to save costs
Friday, August 07, 2009, 07:05
A FREE inter-campus bus service to students at the University of Gloucestershire is being slashed.
The decision, by education bosses, will be seen as another cost-cutting exercise by the university, which has campuses in Cheltenham and Gloucester.
In March, staff were asked to consider taking voluntary redundancy in a bid to save cash when it was revealed £5 million savings were needed.
However, two months later vice-chancellor Professor Patricia Broadfoot said compulsory redundancies may be sought when not enough staff came forward.
Fifty staff have now taken voluntary redundancy with a handful being made compulsorily redundant.
The university also says it has saved nearly 100 jobs by not filling posts.
The move will come as another blow to students who already face the prospect of increased tuition fees.
Options being considered by the Government include raising them to £7,000 or removing the cap on fees, allowing individual universities to charge what they want.
Until now the free bus service has been subsidised by the university, which prides itself on its green credentials, encouraging car sharing between staff and money back for cycling between campuses.
Now, students face paying 70p to get to lectures, though education bosses say students are still getting a good deal as standard fares between Cheltenham and Gloucester are £2.70 for a single journey.
Paul Drake, director of external relations, said:"The University of Gloucestershire has committed significant resources historically to provide a free bus service to students and staff.
"We want to encourage more diverse forms of transport with an emphasis on walking and cycling to complement the subsidised bus service.
"Whilst that may prompt the need for some unpopular decisions we will ensure that teaching and learning services do not suffer.
"Although a charge will now be levied, this is still a heavily subsidised service, the full cost of which the university can no longer afford.
"Introducing modest charges for public transport is a reasonable position to adopt in both policy and financial terms.
"Some may well use cars as a result but others will either pay the modest charge or walk or cycle.
"Student travel bursaries will be made available for those in need of financial support by application to the University's Access to Learning Fund."
Following the announcement Students' Union president Leigh Moore said: "I have expressed on behalf of the students just how disappointed we are that firstly this decision has been made and secondly with no involvement from the Students' Union.
"Both new and returning students had been told that the university would be providing an enhanced and free bus service this September and to remove this has left them feeling let down.
"The Students' Union is aware of the financial difficulties that the university is facing but I'm disappointed that our students' finances will be placed under further pressure."
Leigh said the union would meet with the university to discuss the matter.
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University of Gloucestershire slashes free bus service to students ...
Gloucestershire Echo
However, two months later vice-chancellor Professor Patricia Broadfoot said compulsory redundancies may be sought when not enough staff came forward. ...