A combination of the meltdown of the world economy - and the financial incompetence of the New South Wales state government - has caused a shakeout of all forms of spending to achieve economies.
One of the likely areas to be cut is the free transport to school system enjoyed by school children.
It has become a monster since it's inception forty years ago - back in 1968. It costs the state government a whopping $ 470 million a year and this expense is greater than similar systems in the other states.
The government is contemplating adopting the Victorian model in which parent's pay $ 400 a year per child for a bus or train pass, with subsidies for families with multiple children. In Victoria eligibility cuts in when a child lives more than four kilometres from school. In this state the compliance distance is less.
A significant factor to the cost blowout was a decision some years ago to remove the requirement that children attend their nearest local school. This freedom of choice increased the use of the free travel pass to 700,000 kids in this state.
Perhaps the answer would be to reinstate that " local school " mandate. Kids would get free travel to the local and nearest school with those who choose to travel greater distances doing so at their parent's cost.
There would be howls from the religious people and the freedom of choice advocates, but as it stands the state picks up the tab for parents who choose to send their children to the other side of the city to school - when school facilities are available nearby.
That choice would remain - but at the parent's expense !
What it really boils down to is a clash between the right of choice of a parent - and the obligation of the government to pay for a service.
What would cut costs and be reasonable would be to limit that obligation so that free travel remains for those who make a reasonable decision on a local school choice - but retain freedom of choice for those who are prepared to accept the cost of the longer travel alternative.
It delivers the best of both worlds !
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