Commentary on Sections Transport in England Section 55: Transport policy statements for persons of sixth form age: content and publication
155.Section 55(1) amends section 509AB of the 1996 Act to insert a new subsection (7A). This requires LEAs to have regard to the need to include sufficient information in their transport policy statement, and the need to publish the statement in good time, so that young people and their parents are able to take account of those matters when choosing an establishment.
156.Subsection (2) amends section 509AA of the 1996 Act so that the Secretary of State has more freedom than before to amend the provision about when statements must be published. Previously the Secretary of State could choose a deadline only within the calendar year during which the academic year started; now he or she will be free to choose an earlier deadline.