THE START date for changes to bus services that serve an Otley school has been pushed back.

The current bus services to Prince Henry’s Grammar School are subsidised by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

As recently reported, however, that arrangement is due to stop after two companies, Connexions and Kilvington of Leeds, announced their intention of running services to the school on a commercial basis.

The change - which will involve slightly higher fares which local councillors expect to amount to about £2 a week, per student - was originally due to take effect from February 24.

But the WYCA has now confirmed that, ‘following expressions of concern raised’ about the amount of time that was left for parents to prepare for the new system, that it will continue to subsidise the Prince Henry’s services until the school Easter holidays.

The changes will now take place on April 20 and the WYCA is writing to the school and parents to inform them of the update.

The shake-up will not affect anyone who currently receives free transport to the school.