County councillors will be urged to block another increase in the cost of a travel pass for 11-16-year-olds today.

The cost of the pass is set to rise by £20 to £270, an 8% increase, and petitioners say it has become increasingly unaffordable

Kent County Council says the rise in the cost of the pass reflects the additional costs passed on to it by bus operators and it continues to represent value for money.

A cross-party committee will discuss the proposal and will hear from parents who have petitioned the council calling for a re-think. The petition has been signed by more than 3,000 people.

A statement to the committee from petitioner organiser Nicola Hibbard, from Snodland, Maidstone, says while parents are conscious of the difficulties KCC is under “every child deserves the right to their most suitable education without discrimination.”

The statement adds: “Parents confirm they have no alternative but to drive their children to school. Traffic to these routes will become more congested, resulting in an increase in incidents which will also strain KCC resources.”

Cllr Matthew Balfour (Con) KCC cabinet member for transport, said at the time of the announcement: “Having had lengthy discussions with bus operators we understand fares will rise by 3% on average. This means, without an increase, it would cost the taxpayer over £400,000 a year.”

Under the hike, KCC says the daily cost will rise from £1.31 a day to £1.42 a day. Even with the cost at £270, KCC still has to subsidise the cost by between £200 and £230 per pass on average.

Last year, the the price of the pass went up to £250 from £200. To help families spread the price they can split payment in to two half-yearly passes at £135.

There are to be no changes to the scheme cost for those on low income, remaining at £100 a year and £50 for half a year.

For families who have more than two children, the consecutive passes will remain free of charge.