Under 16 mainstream travel assistance
Before you apply for travel assistance please read the information on this page to find out if your child is eligible for travel assistance.
Apply
You can apply online. Once you’ve applied we’ll email you with the outcome.
Once you have the outcome of your school admissions application, you need to login or register online to apply for travel assistance. Registering online is quick and easy, and from there you can make any changes or payments, and we’ll email you updates.
To ensure your application is processed in time for the start of the new academic year, please apply by 30 June 2023. We are not able to guarantee that applications received after 30 June 2023 will be processed in time for the new term in September 2023.
School transport travel pass guide:
School Transport Travel Pass Guide [PDF]
Eligibility for travel assistance
The table below summarises the travel assistance that is available for children attending their nearest suitable school. Where the home address is in the catchment area of two or more schools then the nearest of these schools will be regarded as the nearest suitable school for transport eligibility.
| Age on 1 September 2022 | Walking Distance Between Home and School | Type of Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 7* | 2 Miles or over | Free Travel until the end of educational year in which 8th birthday falls (end of year 3) |
| Under 2 Miles | Assisted Travel may be offered on available bus services | |
| 8 to 11 | 3 Miles or over | Free Travel until end of educational year in which 11th birthday falls (end of year 6) |
| Under 3 miles | Assisted Travel may be offered on available bus services until the end of educational year in which 11th birthday falls (end of year 6) | |
| 2 Miles or over (Low Income Families) |
Free Travel is available for pupils under 11 years of age who are eligible for free school meals, or whose parents are in receipt of maximum level working tax credit, if over 2 miles from school, for the duration of the educational year in which the award is made. This award is reviewed at the end of each educational year, in August. | |
| Over 11 | 3 Miles or over | Free Travel until end of educational year in which 16th birthday falls (end of year 11) |
| Under 3 miles | Assisted Travel may be offered on available bus services until the end of educational year in which 16th birthdays falls (end of year 11) | |
| 2 to 6 Miles (Low Income Families) |
Free Travel is available for pupils attending one of the nearest 3 schools between 2 and 6 miles when eligible for free school meals, or whose parents are in receipt of maximum level working tax credit, for the duration of the educational year in which the award is made. This award is reviewed at the end of each educational year, in August. |
*Travel assistance is given from the start of the academic year in which the 5th birthday falls
Denominational (faith) schools transport
The rules covering home to school transport for children attending a denominational school (faith school) are slightly different.
The table below summarises the travel assistance that is available for children attending their nearest suitable school preferred on the grounds of religion or belief.
| Age | Income level | Type of Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 5 to 11 | Low income | Free travel to school between 2 to 20 miles from home |
| N/A | Subsidised travel to school between 2 to 20 miles from home | |
| 11 to 16 | Low income | Free travel to school between 2-25 miles from home |
| N/A | Subsidised travel to school between 2-25 miles from home |
The scheme will be provided for the purposes of home to school travel on school days only and not outside of standard school hours (local bus service timetables may apply).
If your child has special educational needs or disabilities, please visit our special transport needs page.
Change in circumstance / re-applying
Travel will automatically continue for the student each year unless there is a change of circumstance.
A change in circumstances (e.g. moving home address, changing school etc.) means you will need to reapply online and be reassessed. Previous entitlement does not guarantee that free travel will be provided in the future.
Problems applying online?
If you have any problems using the online service please contact our Customer Service Centre on 0300 500 80 80.
For information about how we manage your personal data please refer to the Council's Privacy Statement.
