Help with school and college transport

Eligibility

The Council provides travel support for students only in exceptional cases. 

Please see below for information on who is eligible. 

  • Children who go to their nearest suitable school and live at least:
    • 2 miles from the school if they're under 8
    • 3 miles from the school if they're 8 or older
  • Children who can't walk to school because there's no safe walking route 
  • Children who can't walk to school because of their special educational need, disability or mobility problem
  • If you get the maximum Working Tax Credit or your children are entitled to free school meals, they can get help with transport if they're:
    • aged 8 to 11 and the school is at least 2 miles away
    • aged 11 to 16 and the school is 2 to 6 miles away - as long as there aren't 3 or more suitable schools nearer to home
    • aged 11 to 16 and the school is 2 to 15 miles away - if it's their nearest school preferred on the grounds of religion or belief

Students over 16

For students over 16, we first consider independent travel training and public transport.

We might stop travel support if a student or parent/carer refuses to check if they can travel alone or do travel training.

We offer Personal Travel Budget as the first option if it's more efficient than arranging taxis.

Please note, from September 2025 there will be a charge if we provide taxi or minibus transport support. 

If we agree on taxis, you must pay an annual fee of £1069.20, except for low-income families receiving maximum Universal Credit or free school / college meals.

View the eligibility criteria for students over 16.

Proof of eligibility

If applicable, you will need to provide proof of your entitlement to the maximum level of Working Tax Credit.

If your child goes to their nearest school preferred on the grounds of religion or belief, you must provide clear written evidence to demonstrate why you chose this school.

We may also ask the relevant admission authority for written confirmation of the admission category which your child was offered a place.

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