Daughter's Condition and Transport Concerns

Laura, a mother from L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, has raised urgent concerns about the transport provided for her six-year-old daughter Nora, who attends the CEE Folch i Camarasa special education centre in Horta-Guinardó. Nora has a rare genetic mutation, the only known case worldwide, causing severe autism, low vision, epileptic seizures, dysphagia, and mobility needs requiring a wheelchair.

Inadequate Taxi Use

The Consorci d'Educació de Barcelona contracts the company CERSA to transport students to and from school. While adapted minibuses are standard, CERSA uses adapted taxis when minibuses are unavailable. Laura says these taxis are unsuitable: "In such a small vehicle, the children cannot be comfortable; many have epileptic seizures, and the monitors cannot move or attend to them effectively." She adds that parents are often not informed when a taxi is used instead of a minibus, despite the significant risks for children with complex needs.

Excessive Journey Times

Nora’s journey takes around 90 minutes each way, exceeding the one-hour limit stipulated under Article 8 of Royal Decree 443/2001 for transporting students from special education centres. The safe mobility department of the Mossos d'Esquadra confirms this rule, which aims to protect vulnerable children from prolonged transit stress. As the last student dropped off, Nora’s trip is significantly longer than the 30 minutes it could take with an efficient route.

Company and Consorci Response

The CEE Folch i Camarasa has supported the family and forwarded complaints, but responsibility lies with CERSA and the Consorci d'Educació de Barcelona. After more than a year of unheeded appeals, the Consorci contacted Laura following her public denouncement. They confirmed they had spoken with CERSA and, while initially defending taxi use, agreed to phase it out based on her evidence. The Consorci’s contract documentation shows Lot 11 includes taxi services for several special education centres, with costs exceeding €84,000 annually.

"They have agreed to phase out the taxis. We'll see if it's true,"

Laura says, expressing cautious hope.

What This Means for You

Parents of children using Consorci d'Educació de Barcelona transport services who believe their child’s journey exceeds one hour or involves unsuitable vehicles can report concerns directly to the Consorci. The body requires transport providers to record incidents and respond to complaints within two weeks, according to its public contract terms.

Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, metropoliabierta.cat, 47785077R, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.