School transport options including spare seat scheme

Overview of school transport options

For pupils who don’t qualify for free school transport, we may offer any spare seats on our school transport service on a paid-for basis as part of our spare seat scheme.

Please note that spare seats are limited and we cannot guarantee one for every child. We can only offer spare seats where there are available spaces on school buses operating for students who qualify for free transport, and where a public transport route is not available – please check for public routes before you apply under the spare seat scheme.

If we are unable to offer your child a space on the spare seat scheme we will keep their details on a waiting list. We review the transport waiting lists on a termly basis and will only write to you if a space becomes available. Therefore you will need to make other school transport arrangements for your child.

Alternative transport options

Public bus services

You can get season tickets and child discounts from most bus and train operators or see the Citizencard information. See our local bus timetable page or plan a journey on Traveline. Taxi operators may also offer discounts for regular journeys.

Commercially run school-only buses

There are a number of private companies who operate independently of the Council and who sell tickets to parents directly. Details of commercial school bus routes can be found on our bus timetables page.

Schools

Ask your school if they have a travel plan in place – this can include walking and cycling routes. See our cycle training information.

Childcare

If you use a childminder they may be able take your child to school, or pick them up. If they’re close to school they may walk or drive your child there.

Parent and community schemes

Your school PTA may help you to see if there is interest in contracting your own transport through a local operator. ‘Walking buses’ that use parents as volunteers to pick up children, walk them to school and take them home may work for some groups of parents.

Car share

Setting up a lift scheme for parents to car-share may be an option, or consider using a car share app like Liftshare.