BUS company Go North East wishes to clarify the issue of the contribution made by St Bede’s in Lanchester, following the publication of an article in The Northern Echo last month about concerns raised by parents over price of child fares.

The firm said it operates 12 double deck buses to the school at its own cost.

It said the school contributed around £6,000 over the last school year to keep the monthly ticket price lower for students, and was not a subsidy for the buses.

The contribution equates to 8p per pupil per day for each monthly ticket purchased, which per year equates to £16.50 per pupil buying a monthly ticket.

Parents have complained because the company’s new flat £1 rate does not apply to children travelling to St Bede’s on the school bus.