Free school transport is awarded to pupils who meet distance entitlement criteria. If the child is under eight years of age they must live more than one mile away from their catchment school. If the child is over eight years of age they must live more than two miles away from their catchment school. Distances are measured using the nearest available safe walking route and assume that children will be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Various methods of travelling to school are used. The most common is a season ticket for bus travel. A minibus or taxi contract may be used depending on where you live. The majority of school bus services can carry non-entitled children on payment of the appropriate fare.
If a child is not attending their catchment school, transport arrangements are generally the responsibility of the parent or carer. There may be exceptions to this for pupils in 'critical school years' (typically S3–6).
Children starting primary or secondary school for the first time are normally notified automatically if they are entitled to free school transport. Parents/Carers will have to fill in an application form if they move house or are enrolling at a new school during the school term.
The leaflet 'Education transport – Information for parents and scholars' (PDF, 535KB)| contains further information.
An application form (PDF, 527KB)| for free school transport is available from schools. Please note that all applications forms must be stamped by the school.
School Transport Timetables for schools served by school transport vehicles are available for download from the Documents box on this page.
For further information please contact the Transport Planning Unit using the contact details shown.