Parents have described changes to school transport at the start of the academic year as “absolute carnage”, saying it has made it more difficult for pupils to get to school.

Students in Rhondda Cynon Taf living more than three miles from their school are eligible for free buses, but those who live two to three miles away now have to catch a local service bus, walk or find another way.

Campaigners Save the School Transport RCT/Wales have called for a rethink, expressing concerns about the safety of pupils.

RCT council said it was “reviewing the effects” of the revised system, and it will take “necessary practical steps” where required.

Challenges with school transport have been reported elsewhere in Wales as the new academic year gets under way.

Parents from Machynlleth, Powys, with children at a school in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, say they “couldn’t sleep at night” after being told the night before the start of term there was a change to bus transport arrangements.

Meanwhile, amid proposed cuts to school transport services in Caerphilly, inspectors found a walking route to a school was considered “unsafe”.

In RCT, Tina Collins has helped to set up a petition against the changes, which has more than 9,000 signatures.

She said the effect on children has been “massive” despite it being the first week of term.

“Some are having to find their own way to school. Public buses are full and missing stops.

“It’s impacting everyone – children, workers, the elderly. There are queues all over the place.”

Ms Collins said she had heard of children experiencing anxiety attacks as a result.

“We are worried that a child is going to get hurt,” she said.

“One teacher has mentioned to us that they are concerned about crushing trying to get onto packed buses.”

Elaine Buss, whose grandson attends Bryn Celynnog in Beddau, said children were expected to walk miles to school or catch a service bus.

She described the buses as “absolute carnage”, adding they were “rammed” full of children who were pushing and shoving for space.

Ms Buss said Edwards Coaches had provided extra buses but it was still not enough.

Julie Phelps has a daughter who attends Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda in Porth.

She used to take the bus in the morning, but as a result of the change, her daughter is now using the train, which is sometimes delayed.

Ms Phelps said she sympathised with parents who have more than one child dealing with the new system.

“This is just my daughter. What about parents who have more children and in different schools?” she added.

Karl Johnson, Conservative councillor for Llantwit Fadre and Efail Isaf, said it was having a “detrimental impact” on the children.

“It’s not setting them up for a good start, and it’s all a direct consequence of the council making these cuts,” he added.

An RCT council spokesperson said: “All secondary and post-16 learners are eligible for free transport… this means learners who live three miles or more away from their place of learning still receive free transport.

“Our revised home to school transport policy continues to still transport thousands of children more every week than we are expected to, beyond the statutory school transport requirements.”

The Welsh government said local authorities are responsible for delivering learner transport and there are “no current plans” to review the mileage threshold.

“Local authorities have the discretion to provide learner transport which go beyond their statutory responsibilities if they wish to.”

Pupils travelling from Machynlleth to Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig in Aberystwyth have also faced issues with bus transport.

Pupils travelling from Powys to Ceredigion could previously pay to use a service provided by Lloyds Coaches.

But the company announced on social media on Tuesday afternoon – the day before the children returned to school – this would no longer be possible.

It told BBC News that the change was due to “an increase in the number of students within Ceredigion”, meaning there are “no empty seats” for children travelling from Powys.

It added that the announcement was made last minute because they had been working to find a solution, but had been unable to do so.

Ceredigion council said “no change has been made to their contracts for transport services for pupils who are eligible for transport to Ysgol Penweddig”.

In Caerphilly, amid proposed cuts to school transport services that could come in next year, independent inspectors have deemed a walking route to a school to be “unsafe”.

The plans were delayed earlier this year when councillors called for safety checks to be conducted on major walking routes before any cuts were made.

A report found concerns on the route between Fochriw and Idris Davies School in Abertysswg, due to a section of “non-continuous footway” along a 30mph road.

Traffic-calming measures alone are “unlikely to result in the route being deemed safe”, and there are only “limited” step-offs or footways for pedestrians.

With an alternative route suffering “similar constraints”, the inspectors said there were “limited opportunities to provide a safe walking route between Pentwyn, Fochriw and Idris Davies School”.

The route was one of 39 inspected as part of a “safe route assessment survey”, which found that 29 were deemed safe and that nine could be made safe if improvements were made.