ÖйúPÕ¾

If your child can’t get free home to school transport, you might be able to buy a spare seat on a school coach, taxi or minibus.

They are not guaranteed and can be taken away at short notice.

This might happen if:

• a child who gets free transport needs the seat
• the service stops running because it's no longer needed

You must have a back-up plan in case we can’t give your child a seat or we have to take it away.

How much it costs

From September 2025:

• Children under 16: £675.48 (£225.16 per term)
• Young people aged 16 to 19: £931.56 (£310.52 per term)

You must pay before each term starts. You must also pay for at least half a term. We don’t give refunds if your plans change during that time.

To see how we use your personal data, please read our privacy notice.

Coach - apply by 30 June

• We’ll try to let you know by mid-August if your child has a seat.
• If we can’t offer a seat, we’ll put your child on a waiting list.
• If you apply after 30 June, we might not process your form before the October half-term.
• We can only sell a limited number of coach seats because of accessibility rules.
  

Taxi or minibus - apply by 30 September

• We’ll look at these applications after the October half term.
• We must sort out transport for children who get free travel first.
• You’ll need to make your own travel plans until we contact you.
• Spare seats on these services are limited.

Who gets priority for spare seats

We give priority to children who travel 5 days per week. If we get too many applications, we use this order:

1. ÖйúPÕ¾ children under 16 with a brother or sister who qualifies for school transport and already travel on the vehicle
2. ÖйúPÕ¾ students aged 16+ with a brother or sister who qualifies for school transport and already travel on the vehicle
3. ÖйúPÕ¾ children with no public transport to school.
4. ÖйúPÕ¾ students aged 16+ with no public transport to school.
5. ÖйúPÕ¾ children who live furthest from the school
6. ÖйúPÕ¾ students aged 16+ who live furthest from the school
7. Children from outside ÖйúPÕ¾ with a brother or sister using free school transport
8. Students aged 16+ from outside ÖйúPÕ¾ with a brother or sister using free school transport
9. Children from outside ÖйúPÕ¾ with no public transport to school
10. Students aged 16+ from outside ÖйúPÕ¾ with no public transport to school
11. Children from outside ÖйúPÕ¾ who live furthest from the school
12. Students aged 16+ from outside ÖйúPÕ¾ who live furthest from the school

We decide who lives furthest by measuring a straight line from your home to the school.

We look at all applications again each year. If more children with higher priority apply, or there are fewer seats, your child’s seat may be taken away.

How to pay for a spare seat

If we offer your child a seat, we’ll send you an invoice. You can pay online.