Free transport to Oxfordshire’s faith schools could be scrapped under cost-cutting plans proposed by county transport chiefs.

Oxfordshire County Council plans to stop pupils at faith schools getting the service from September 2011. It has worked out the measure would save £640,000 by 2015.

Only two faith secondary schools in Oxfordshire – St Gregory the Great in Oxford and Blessed George Napier in Banbury, both of which are Catholic – would be affected.

The move would affect some primaries, but County Hall spokesman Paul Smith stressed few primary pupils would notice changes because the vast majority lived close to their schools.

Mr Smith estimated between 600 and 700 children use the services to the affected schools each year.

The council is legally obliged to provide home-to-school transport for mainstream pupils aged under eight who live more than two miles from school, and for children aged eight and over living three miles away. Historically, it has always provided free transport to children in faith schools as well, despite not having to legally.

Michael Waine, cabinet member for school improvement, said: “The county council currently provides free home-to-school transport beyond its legal obligations and beyond levels provided in most other parts of the country.

“This proposal is to make Oxfordshire consistent with other parts of the UK. It is not something we’d have rushed to do, however the current economic climate has brought these issues into focus.”

Children who already receive free transport would continue to do so until they leave school and students starting this September would also not be affected.

Families on certain benefits would also be exempt.

The majority of pupils travel on council-funded school buses on established routes, but there are some much smaller special buses set up on routes which can vary year-by-year, depending on where pupils live. Occasionally taxis are used.

The buses would continue to run but pupils who join the schools after September 2011 would not be able to use them.

Mr Smith said a final decision on the proposal was expected “in the summer.”

John Hussey, headteacher at St Gregory’s, said: “We are aware of the consultation process that is taking place. The governors and I are seeking advice in formulating our response.

“We want to be clear about the data we are using and the potential impact on our future numbers.”

Ben Emlyn-Jones, 38, of Bodley Road, Littlemore, sends his daughter Louisa, 14, to St Gregory’s.

He said: “If you live a long way away it would be nice to have transport, but if you live in Oxford it’s not really a problem.”

To comment on the proposals write before April 1, to The Admissions Team, Oxfordshire County Council, County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND or email admissions.schools@oxfordshire.gov.uk