SCHOOL bus passes for children who receive their education three miles from home or more have shot up by 30 per cent.

Parents spoke of their shock as a term-long bus pass rises from £85.50 to £114, or from £256.50 to £342 for an annual pass.

Daily return tickets will go up from £1.50 to £2 this September.

The rise has particularly hit children attending faith schools.

Martin and Pierina McCaughran’s daughter Olivia, 12, travels from Darwen to St Bede’s Roman Catholic High School in Blackburn.

Mr McCaughran, a former Darwen town councillor, said it was unfair he would have to pay so much extra when there were no Roman Catholic schools in his hometown.

He said: “Why should my daughter face the prospect of not being able to go to a Roman Catholic school?

“I have just had a cut in my salary of 40 per cent.

“When the council is wasting money on things, such as replacing the market floor, this isn’t right.”

Mrs McCaughran said: “When Olivia was starting at school last September the headteacher said the bus would be free, then they put it up to £85.50.

“There could be pupils whose parents can’t afford the passes and will pull them out of school to send them somewhere closer.”

The couple, who live in Dove Lane, also have a son, Pietro, 17, who goes to Darwen Aldridge Community Academy sixth form. There are 102 children with bus passes, but the council said most would pay cash on the day and a large number travel on commercial weekly passes.

Lisa Bibby, director of schools and learning for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Due to the council’s financial situation, we are facing tough choices. We can no longer afford the level of subsidy we previously provided.”

Legislation states that children living more than three miles from their nearest school receive free travel. But those who choose a school more than three miles away, not their closest, can be made to pay.

Those who attend their nearest school within three miles receive no financial assistance.

Since September 2011, pupils who go to county council schools travelling three miles, or more, to school, have had to pay an annual fee of £380.