Transport to primary and secondary schools faqs

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Index of Contents

• Eligibility
• Applying for Transport
• Spare Seats
• Transport Arrangements
• Problems with Travel Passes or Travel arrangements
• Complaints and Further Information

Eligibility

• Who is entitled to school transport?
• We are on a low household income; do we qualify for any additional help?
• My child has special needs, do the same distances apply?
• We live below the required distance but there are special circumstances
• My child is attending a faith preference school, what help with transport can I get?
• My child will be attending a “taster day” at his/her new school. Is transport provided?
• We are moving house is my child still entitled to free school transport?
• The route my child has to take to school is too dangerous
• Is my child expected to walk 3 miles (2 miles if under 8 yrs) to school each day?
• Can I claim a petrol allowance if there is no school transport available?
• Our local school is full, how do I get transport for an-out-of-area school?
• My child will be attending a work experience placement; will he/she be entitled to free transport?
• How do I appeal about an entitlement decision?

Who is entitled to school transport?

You need to have your child enrolled at school before we can arrange transport for you but we can advise before enrolment as to whether you would qualify for transport help from a particular address. All homes have a school designated to them for transport assistance. To be eligible for free School Transport a pupil must attend the designated school appropriate for his/her age and the home address, and must be over the statutory distance. This is a national standard and is two miles for pupils under 8 years and three miles from age eight. The distance is measured along the ‘shortest available walking route’. If you are unsure which school is designated to your address for transport entitlement (which can be different to the school’s own admission criteria) or whether you are over 2 or 3 miles, please contact the Education Transport Unit.

We are on a low household income; do we qualify for any additional help?

If you are entitled to free school meals, or the maximum level of Working Tax Credit, further eligibility criteria applies:

Primary School Children:

• the walking distance for qualification is reduced to 2 miles.

Secondary School children:

• The walking distance for qualification is reduced to 2 miles and
• Transport may be given to any one of the three nearest secondary schools to the child’s home providing that the school is over 2 miles and no more than 6 miles away.

My child has special needs, do the same distances apply?

If your child has a statement of special needs that specifies transport, please refer to SEN Transport. Children with special needs but without a specific statement are assessed for eligibility to free transport in the standard way. (please see “who is entitled to free transport”)

We live below the required distance but there are special circumstances?

If a pupil is not entitled to free school transport under the standard criteria and the parent or carer feels that there are exceptional education, medical or social grounds which may affect how we consider an application for free transport, please complete an application form and attach a letter explaining the special circumstances. These will be considered confidentially.

My child is attending a faith preference school, what help with transport can I get?

Parents who attend church every week may choose to send their child to a school which is supported by the religious faith followed by the child and his/her family. We will consider giving help with transport if the school designated for transport entitlement purposed is within certain distance criteria, and you are practicing members of that faith of the level of consistent attendance specified within the Wiltshire Council's policy on transport.pdf 116kb.

As of September 2007, there is a charge for this provision for students starting years where the chosen denominational school is not the local area catchment school. The cost of this transport provision is dependent on the age of the child and the distance travelled as follows:

• Primary School Pupils - £316 per annum
• Secondary School Pupils
  • Between 3 and 5.99 miles from the school - £316 per annum
  • Between 6 and 9.99 miles from the school - £386 per annum
  • Over 10 miles from the school - £418 per annum

These fees may be waived for families who are in receipt of Free School Meals or the maximum level of Working Tax Credit. Additionally, the distance criterion for entitlement is reduced to 2 miles for qualifying pupils.

N.B from September 2012 only students from low income families will receive assistance from Wiltshire Council. Students receiving assistance from the Council before this September 2012 will continue to do so via the school.

My son/daughter will be attending a ‘taster day’ at his/her new school. Is transport provided?

Unfortunately, there is no entitlement to school transport for pupils attending ‘taster’ days at schools and you will need to make your own arrangements for them to get there by fare-paying bus/lift/walking or cycling.

We are moving house, will my child still be entitled to free school transport?

The eligibility will need to be re-assessed from your new address. Please contact the Education Transport Team on 01225 713398 with your new details.

The route my child has to take to school is too dangerous to walk

The measured route must be one along which a child, accompanied as necessary, can walk with reasonable safety to school. If the route (or part of the route) is considered by you to be unsafe, the Council will assess it using the guidelines on safety we use for the whole county. If part of the route is assessed as unsafe, an alternative shortest route is looked for and, if it is over the statutory distance, free transport will be given. Please write to the Education Transport team giving details of the part of the route needing assessment.

Is my child really expected to walk 3 miles (2 miles if under 8) to school each day?

This is a national standard used to measure entitlement to free school transport. The distance is measured along the shortest available walking route between the child’s home and school. Parents can be confused by this and believe that we expect their child to walk to school, but it is just termed a walking route because in some areas part of the measurement may be along paths and not roads. Nobody expects children to walk but it is for parents to take responsibility for getting their child to and from school if they live under the statutory distance.

Can I get a petrol allowance?

A petrol allowance can be considered only if there is no suitable bus/train/taxi running in the area; or where parental transport would be more appropriate for the pupil, or where it is economically viable for the Council to do so, due to exceptional circumstances. Please complete an application form and enclose a letter stating your request and we will let you know whether this can be authorised.

Our local school is full, how do I get transport for an out-of-area school?

If you have been refused a place at the designated school to your home address, transport to the next nearest school can only be considered if you have appealed against the decision. If a place at the designated school is still refused, after appeal, then transport can be considered to the next nearest school (by distance) from your home address if it fits the distance or route safety criteria. If applying to the next nearest school, please enclose a copy of the appeal refusal letter with your application. However, you need to have applied on time in the admissions process to be considered for transport to anywhere else. If you moved house and had to apply late for transport, please supply proof of your house move date.

My child will be attending a work experience placement; will they be entitled to free transport?

Unfortunately, there is no entitlement to school transport for pupils attending work experience placements and you will need to make your own arrangements for them to get there by fare-paying bus/lift/walking or cycling.

How do I appeal an entitlement decision?

If you are unhappy about a decision which has been made regarding transport entitlement for your child, you can pursue your request further.

If there are individual circumstances that you did not include with your original application and that you want to be considered, these should be submitted in writing to the Education Transport Entitlement Manager. Your transport request will then be reviewed in the light of the new information submitted.

If your application is again refused and you wish to appeal against the decision, you can request for your case to be heard by an Appeals Panel.

The Appeals Panel comprises 3 elected members of the Council who have undergone appropriate training. The Panel will consider the reason(s) for the refusal, hear your case and arrive at a decision which will be communicated to you within 3 days of the hearing. You will have the opportunity of attending the Appeals Panel to put your case forward. You can ask for your case to be considered by the Appeals Panel by completing the form. For further details on this appeals procedure and to request a form, please contact Democratic Services on 01225 718024.

Please note that it will take approximately five weeks from your appeal being received to the appeal decision being made.

Applying for Transport

• I would like to request an application form for school transport
• After I have applied for transport, what happens next?
• How long does it take to process an application form?
• Do I have to re-apply each year?
• If information changes on the travel application form, who needs to know?

I would like an application form for school transport?

Application forms are available each Spring from schools within Wiltshire. Alternatively, you can telephone us on 0300 456 0100 or if you prefer you can download the Under 16 school transport form 132kb , complete it and post it to us.

After I have applied for transport what happens next?

Once your transport entitlement has been assessed, you will receive a letter from the Education Transport Team, notifying you of the decision.

How long does it take to process an application form?

If you are requiring transport to start in the autumn term, please return your completed form to the Transport Unit by 1 June for students in years 0 - 11 and before 30 June for students over 16. At any other time of the year, please allow 3 weeks.

Do I have to re-apply each year?

You don’t need to re-apply unless you change address or your child changes school (including moving to senior school) or goes into sixth form or college.

If information I provide on the travel application form changes, who needs to know?

Please contact the Education Transport team on 01225 713396/8 if you have a change of details such as changing address or changing school/college part-way through your Primary or Secondary or Further Education. The Entitlement Team will have to re-assess your application and they will write to you as soon as possible after you have informed them of this. For changing school or college at the usual ages of 5, 11 or 16 you need to complete a transport application form which you can obtain from the Customer Care Unit. Please note – even if you stay at the same school at the age of 16, you need to apply to the Post-16 Transport Scheme at that time because you aren’t in compulsory education any more.

Spare Seats

We're not entitled to free school transport - can I pay for a seat on the school bus?

Where there are spare seats available on vehicles contracted to the Council they may be allocated, at a charge, to students not entitled to free school transport. The offer of a Spare Seat place is made on the understanding that payment must be made in advance and that any seat allocated will have to be relinquished if:

• The seat is required for an entitled pupil, or one with a higher priority
• The Service is withdrawn when the transport requirements in the area are reviewed.

Please note that a "spare seat" allocation may be removed at very short notice.

Spare seats cannot be offered on vehicles where fares can be paid.

What are the charges for a spare seat?

This is dependent on age of pupil and distance as follows:

(2010/11 academic year)

School	Distance frome home to school	Charge per term (based on a 3 term year)
Primary	less than 3 miles	£73
Primary	3 miles or more	£95
Secondary	less than 3 miles	£86
Secondary	3 miles or more	£108
Post-16 (sixth form/college)	less than 3 miles	£110
Post 16 (sixth form/college)	3 miles or more	£176

How do I apply for a Spare Seat?

Plase telephone the Passenger Transport Unit on 01225 713253

• schools-transport-spareseats-terms.pdf Terms and Conditions 31kb

Transport Arrangements

• What should I do if my bus is late or does not turn up?
• How do I find out the times of a school bus?
• Can friends or relatives travel on a school bus?
• My child wants to get on at a different stop – is this possible?
• What if my child needs to stay behind after school?
• My child has left something on their school bus – how do I get it back?
• What happens if there is bad weather?
• I am a bus/taxi operator and would like to provide school/college contracts and services for the County Council. Whom should I contact?

What should I do if my school or college bus is late or does not turn up?

While we expect all our school/college buses to run on time, unexpected delays and problems may occur from time to time. If your school/college bus does not arrive, please wait at the bus stop until 30 minutes after the bus is due, then ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365. We will then contact the company for you and arrange alternative transport if necessary.

How do I find out the times of a School or College bus?

Information on school and college buses in Wiltshire can be obtained by ringing the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365.

Students who are being issued with a bus pass by the Council should also find this information included on the backing card onto which the pass is attached. Please remember that students should always be at the bus stop 5 minutes before their bus is due

Can friends or parents travel on a school bus?

In order to avoid the risk of overloading, school buses can normally only be used by children or students who have been issued with a bus pass for that route by Wiltshire Council. However, there are a few exceptions so to check if this rule applies on your route, please ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365.

My child wants to travel on a different school bus or get on at a different stop - is this possible?

Students are only able to travel on the bus for which their pass has been issued. If there is more than one bus serving your area, it may be possible for you to change buses if there is space available - please ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365 to find out if this is possible. Please also ring this number if you wish to change your pick up point.

What if my child needs to stay behind after school?

We regret that it is not possible to provide extra transport for those students who choose to stay behind for extra-curricular activities. However, occasionally, we may be able to arrange for your bus pass to be accepted on an ordinary bus service if one is available at no extra cost - please ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365 if you need this facility.

My child has left something on their school bus - how do I get it back?

Please ring the bus company direct on the telephone number shown on the backing card which the bus pass was attached to. If you cannot find this, please ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365 and we will do our best to help (please note that it may take a few days for your property to be recovered and that you may have to go to the company’s office to collect it. A small administration fee may also be charged by the bus company).

What happens if there is bad weather?

Please listen to your local radio station to see if your school is closed or if the bus has been cancelled. If there is no announcement, go to your pick up point for the normal time but wrap up warm as the bus may get delayed en route. If the bus has not arrived 30 minutes after it is due, please ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365 for advice. In bad weather, it may be necessary for the bus company to cancel the morning school journey at short notice if they do not believe that they can reach the school safely.

I am a bus/ taxi operator and would like to provide school/college transport contracts /services for the Council - who should I contact?

Please email your name and address to us at passengertransport@wiltshire.gov.uk or ring 01225 713253 so that we can send you an application form.

Problems with Travel Passes or Travel Arrangements

• How do I get a replacement bus pass?
• What do I do if the details are wrong on the bus pass?
• My child no longer needs a bus pass, what do I need to do?

My child has lost his/her bus pass

Please ask your son/daughter to go to Student Services/School Office and request a lost ticket form which includes a 2-week temporary pass. Complete and send this form, together with a payment of £10.00 (cheque or PO payable to Wiltshire Council) to the Passenger Transport Unit.

My child has damaged his/her bus pass

Please ask your son/daughter to go to Student Services/School Office and request a replacement ticket form which includes a 2-week temporary pass. Complete and send this form, together with the damaged pass, to the Passenger Transport Unit.

The details are wrong on the bus pass

Please ask your son/daughter to go to Student Services/School Office and request a replacement ticket form which includes a 2-week temporary pass. Complete and send this form, together with the incorrect pass, to the Passenger Transport Unit.

My child no longer needs a bus pass, what do I need to do

Please send your bus pass back to the Passenger Transport Unit, so that it can be cancelled.

Complaints and Further Information

• My child is being bullied on transport, what can be done about it?
• What do I do if I have concerns about a taxi or bus operator?
• I am concerned about the safety of my child’s transport

My child is being bullied on transport, what will be done about it?

If you suspect that your child may be being bullied whilst travelling to or from school, report the matter to the school and to the Transport Support and Training Team within the Passenger Transport Unit by phoning 01225 713578 or 713253. Transport Support and Training Team will request a drivers report, obtain CCTV evidence (if available) and a Bus Prefects report.. The issues raised will then be investigated.

What do I do if I have concerns about a taxi or bus operator?

Contact the Transport Support and Training Team within Passenger Transport Unit and give details of your child’s transport with your specific concerns. Depending on the concerns raised, the Transport Support and Training Team will then implement a full investigation and take any necessary action to ensure that the concern is resolved in the shortest possible time.

I am concerned with the safety of my child’s transport

Contact the Transport Support and Training Team within Passenger Transport Unit and give details of your child’s transport with your specific concerns. Depending on the concerns raised, Transport Support and Training Team will then implement a full investigation and take any necessary action to ensure that the concern is resolved appropriately in the shortest possible time.

Last updated: 19 January 2012