FEW council cuts in Oxfordshire have caused more outcry than those that hit school bus services.

But Oxford Bus Company has found what parents call the “perfect solution” by re-routing one of its services as a replacement.

Children in Kennington have got a free school bus to Matthew Arnold School, Cumnor Hill, for years.

But under Oxfordshire County Council’s new policy which began this term, pupils starting a new school can only get a free place on a bus to their nearest school, even if another one is within their catchment area.

For Kennington, the school is Oxford Academy in Littlemore.

So parents whose children wanted to go to Matthew Arnold got together with Oxford Bus Company and the county council to find a solution.

The bus company is now diverting its 35 service three times in the morning to stop at more places in the village to take the children to Matthew Arnold.

The new 35A service operates three times at home time and more than 200 children now use it daily.

Lou Sumner, whose son Oscar is due to go to Matthew Arnold next year, said: “We were delighted when the bus company agreed to adapt the current bus route. “It’s economical for the council too, because even though they have provided a subsidy for this initial pilot year, the Oxford Bus Company service is more cost-effective than privately run coaches, saving the council £40,000 more than they expected.”

Children now in Year 8 or above, who already had free school bus places on the subsidised service, have been bought an Oxford Bus Company bus pass worth £315 by the council. This means they can also catch services all around the city.

Had the company not stepped in, the council would have kept running its bus from Kennington to Matthew Arnold.

But for new starters this year, who were not entitled to free travel, their parents would have had to apply for a space on the bus – at a cost of more than £500 a year. Instead, they can now buy their children a £315 CityZone “18 and under” ticket.

The county council has subsidised the new service for a one-year pilot by £40,000 – meaning it spends only half of what it would have on running its own bus. Parents say it is a perfect solution but wonder whether the county will keep subsidising it after this year.