Questions have been asked at a high profile council meeting over why West Kilbride pupils are not being bussed to Largs Academy.
It comes following reports that up to 90 per cent of pupils have been refusing to pay for a train fare after being approached by a ticket examiner on ScotRail trains between Largs and West Kilbride.
The matter was discussed at the North Coast Locality partnership held at the Clark Memorial Church Hall in Largs recently.
The partnership received a verbal update from John Lamb regarding pupils travelling to Largs Academy. 
John pointed out that there are over 150 pupils from West Kilbride who have a place at the secondary school.
He highlighted that pupils from West Kilbride are in the Largs cluster and questioned why North Ayrshire is not supporting transport to Largs Academy.
Lynne Cathcart, head teacher at Skelmorlie Primary School, informed the meeting that West Kilbride is not part of the Largs Cluster, but a request can be submitted to attend Largs Academy.
It was revealed at the meeting that the new campus in Ardrossan will be built to accommodate West Kilbride children - and it was also pointed out that Largs Campus was never built to incorporate children from West Kilbride.
SNP Councillor Alan Hill, who chaired the meeting, added that if West Kilbride was in the cluster for Largs, transport would be provided as part of the North Coast Locality.
He also made reference to the new Scottish government ruling which was introduced last year that young people can also access free bus travel to travel to any school.
Independent Councillor Ian Murdoch agreed that the recent change in timetable "does not help as the pupils arrive too early or late".
Ms Cathcart advised that the school has an agreement for the pupils from West Kilbride to arrive 10 minutes late.
The issue has been raised with ScotRail by both the school and parents.
Cllr Hill advised that historically, a private bus was paid for by parents, but if the council was to provide this service for one area, it would have to provide it for all.
We reported last month that Conservative Councillor Tom Marshall opined that there can't be any complaints about the recent change of train timetable affecting Largs Academy pupils living in West Kilbride "if they don't pay the fare".
Cllr Marshall spoke out after statistics revealed that at least 90 per cent of school children travelling between West Kilbride and Largs have been dodging the fare - and refusing to pay when approached by ScotRail staff.
Service director David Simpson has told local councillors that between 125-135 pupils travel regularly by train each day but only a minority of students pay.
ScotRail revealed that reasons given include "I have no money" to "I don’t pay".
David continued: "We have contacted Stagecoach to advise of the potential increase in numbers who may wish to use their service – students with an appropriate national entitlement card can travel for free on the bus. ScotRail will assist the school in communicating transport options to parents and students in the coming week.
"It is not possible for ScotRail to change our timetable in the short term however we will work in conjunction with the school and other public transport operators to understand if better arrangements for those travelling out of catchment can be put in place for the start of the new school year in August."
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