Apply for transport for people over 16
In most circumstances, once a young person reaches sixth-form age, we expect that they will be able to make their own arrangements to travel to and from school or college independently.
If they live more than 3 miles from their education placement, this would be by public transport, where available. In some circumstances, we will provide support in order to help the young person to travel independently or if necessary, provide a transport service to ensure that the young person is able to attend their education placement.
Transport assistance will be provided to the nearest suitable educational establishment where the chosen programme of study is offered for the start and the end of an educational establishment’s day. For young people with an EHCP, this will be the placement named on the EHCP, if this is the nearest suitable placement. If parents have requested an alternative placement which is not the nearest, transport will not be provided.
For more information please view our Post-16 Transport Policy (PDF).
Deadline for transport applications
Post 16 students must apply for travel each academic year
We ask that all applications for transport be submitted before 15 July each academic year.
For us to make transport arrangements where vehicles are required, we do require a student’s timetable (start and finish times of the educational establishment and the days attending). We understand that this may not be released by the school or college until very close to the start of the academic year and recommend that an application is made with the relevant benefits or payment included and a note is left in one of the free text boxes to advise that the timetable will be added once received. Please remember that it can take up to 15 working days after the timetable has been submitted to arrange transport. Parents/carers will be responsible for transport during this time.
How much it costs
£434 per term or £1,300 for the academic year. This equates to approximately £6.60 a day. If paying termly you must ensure that your payment for the new term is received before the end of the current term to ensure transport continues.
However, a young person may be entitled to free travel assistance if he or she has certain medical needs, an EHCP and a parent or the student themself is in receipt of one of the qualifying income-related benefits.
Students from a low-income household must also apply for the 16 to 19 bursaries from the school/college. Once a decision has been made for the bursary this must then be passed to the school transport team via the self service portal.
Transport will also be provided free of charge for young adults, aged between 19 to 25 starting a course or training in September, who have an EHCP and have been assessed as requiring assistance to enable them to travel to and from their place of education or training.
If you are not entitled to transport through us, we would also advise you to contact your education provider as colleges and schools have access to the 16 to 19 bursary which can help towards your transport costs. These are administered directly by schools and colleges and the amount they offer may vary depending on your circumstances.
A young person's bus card for travel on public transport services may be more cost effective for your household.
How to apply
Please do not complete this form if you do not have an EHCP, medical need or low-income criteria. Please see our mainstream post 16 application information, which require payment.
You will need your supporting evidence: a medical letter, low-income information (dated no more than 2 months prior to your application) and the bespoke transport request form if required.
If you are requesting bespoke transport you will need to provide evidence to show that travel assistance is necessary to enable your young person to attend their school, college or training provider. Please ensure you have this to hand before completing the application as you are unable to submit the application without this documentation.
Please note that a young person with a qualifying medical need may be able to apply for a disabled person's bus pass. If you are eligible for such a pass, the young person will be expected to use it to travel between home and college on public transport where appropriate.
Please read the following factsheet for information about post-16 travel (PDF).