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 2024. We are not able to guarantee that applications received after 30 June 2024 will be processed in time for the new term in September 2024.
School transport travel pass guide:
School Transport Travel Pass Guide [PDF]
Eligibility for travel assistance
The information in the drop downs 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.
Travel assistance is given from the start of the academic year in which the 5th birthday falls.
Pupils aged 4 years old in full-time statutory education are entitled to free transport to their nearest suitable school from the start of the academic year in which they become 5, if that school is two miles or more from home.
Pupils of compulsory school age who are under the age of 8 are entitled to free transport to their nearest suitable school if it is two miles or more from home.
Pupils aged between 8 and 11 are entitled to free transport to their nearest suitable school if it is three miles or more from home.
Pupils of secondary school age 11–16 are entitled to free transport to their nearest suitable school if that school is three miles or more from home.
Pupils aged between 8 and 11 from low-income families are entitled to free transport to their nearest suitable school if that school is two miles or more from home.
Pupils of secondary school age from low-income families are entitled to free transport if the school is between two and six miles and there are not three or more suitable nearer schools.
Denominational (faith) schools transport
The rules covering home to school transport for children attending a denominational school (faith school) are slightly different.
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.
Pupils aged 5 – 11 in low-income groups attending schools on grounds of religion or belief
Pupils of primary school age from low-income families attending the nearest suitable school preferred on grounds of religion or belief are eligible for free transport where the school is between two and 20 miles from their home.
Pupils aged 11 – 16 in low-income groups attending schools on grounds of religion or belief
Pupils of secondary school age from low-income families attending the nearest suitable school preferred on grounds of religion or belief are eligible for free transport where the school is between two and 25 miles from their home.
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.
