Eligibility for 'Assisted Home to School' Transport -
The Council's Policy on the provision of 'Assisted Home to School' Transport is summarised below. It is intended to act as a guide to parents who wish to apply for assisted travel and is not a definitive statement of The Council policy. All pupils in full time education up to the age of 16 are entitled to be considered within the policy. For information regarding travel assistance for over 16's please use this link.
Parental Choice -
The Policy is generally based on the distance to the local (catchment) school. Parents should be aware that whilst they have the right to express a preference for their child to attend another school, any travelling arrangements or expenses will be their responsibility. If you are not certain which is the catchment school for your area then please view our catchment maps or contact the Admissions team.
Summary of Policy -
The Council will provide assisted home to school transport under the following circumstances:
(a) Where a pupil attends the local school and the distance by the shortest available walking route exceeds two miles (primary school) or three miles (secondary school). The local school is defined as the school in which catchment area the pupil lives.
(b) Arrangements for free transport will be made for children who, despite living less than the walking distance referred to in (a) above, have to travel along a hazardous section of route to their local school. It is a parents responsibility to transport a child safely to school and in looking at the route it will be assumed that the child is accompanied if necessary, by an adult.
(c) Arrangements for free transport will also be made where a pupil lives outside the distance referred to in (a) and attends an alternative LEA or grant maintained school which is the nearest school to their home address.
(d) Pupils will be eligible for assisted (but not free) transport to the designated local school, where they attend for reasons of religious belief and live beyond statutory walking distance. Further details of charging.
(e) The type of transport offered under this Policy is at the Authority's discretion and may take the form of public transport, private contract services or rail services. Cycle grants are available upon request. Cash grants and mileage allowances are not normally available and can only be considered where there is no suitable transport provision.
Applying for Travel Assistance -
There is no need to apply for assisted transport – we will contact you if your child is eligible. You will be notified in writing no later than the end of May 2008.
If you have not received a letter by this date you should assume your child is not eligible for travel assistance. However you may still be interested in purchasing a spare seat. To apply for a spare seat please contact the School Transport Contact Centre on 0845 002 0755 to make an application. (See also a guide to purchasing a spare seat).
If your child received travel assistance in 2007/2008 Transport provision will automatically be renewed for the following year. You no longer have to complete a renewal form; the bus pass will automatically be issued before the start of term. It is therefore important you inform us of any change of circumstances that may affect your initial application.
When will I receive my ticket? -
A ticket will be forwarded to your home address. These are usually despatched during July and August. However, if you have not received your ticket by 13th August please contact 0845 1133311. Please ensure that you keep the ticket in a safe place as a charge will be made to replace lost passes.
Do I need to carry my ticket every day? -
It is essential that tickets are carried and shown to the drivers when boarding the vehicle every day. Anyone attempting to travel on a fare paying bus or rail service without a valid scholars ticket will be asked to pay the appropriate fare.
When and for what journeys can the ticket be used? -
This information can be found on the reverse side of the season ticket under 'conditions of use'.
What happens if i loose my Ticket? -
If you lose your ticket you will need to contact the County Transport Co-ordinator to arrange for a replacement to be issued. There is a charge of £12 for each replacement ticket/photocard to cover administrative costs. The £12 cost can be paid by calling 0845 0020755 and using your credit\debit card or Pay for school transport online.
Once a ticket has been replaced the original becomes invalid and cannot be used for travel. On bus and rail services pupils will be expected to pay their fare until a replacement pass is issued.
Misuse of Tickets -
Misuse and/or fraudulent use of Scholars Season Tickets is treated very seriously and can result in transport being withdrawn. Any of the following reasons may lead to confiscation:
(a) use by anyone other than the named holder.
(b) attempted use for unauthorised journeys.
(c) attempted use for, travel apart from home to school journeys.
(d) damage or defacement of ticket.
(e) attempted use of rail pass without photocard
Confiscated tickets will normally be replaced by application to the County Transport Co-ordinator. A fee of £12 for each ticket is required.
What happens if we change our address and/or move to a different school? -
Any change of address or move to a different school must be reported in writing to the Transport and Regeneration Service enclosing the old pass. When moving house, travel assistance will be reassessed in accordance with the policy.
What do I do if I no longer require my ticket during the school year? -
Please return your ticket to Transport and Regeneration with a covering letter, as soon as you no longer need it. We can then ensure that we only pay the operator for the trips that you actually make. This helps to keep costs down.
Refund Applications -
In certain circumstances refunds can be claimed to cover expenses incurred whilst awaiting a scholars season ticket. Refund claim forms can be obtained from Transport and Regeneration. The criteria below should be followed when completing a refund form:
(a) claims can only be paid from the 15th day after the date that a formal application is received.
(b) refunds will only be paid on the basis of the cheapest fare available at the time of travel (e.g. return fares/child fares).
(c) refunds will only be paid on the basis of the season ticket that is finally issued (e.g. if a bus pass is issued, then only the equivalent cost of the bus journey will be reimbursed).
(d) no refunds will be paid for pupils who have their tickets confiscated due to misuse.
(e) no retrospective payment for a previous academic year will be made.
Please retain all tickets and attach them to your refund claim form.
Problems -
The Council's Children's Services is committed to providing a high level of service. However, there may be times when you feel that we haven't got it right. If you are experiencing problems with the bus or rail services on which you are travelling, please phone 0845 140 2666. We will investigate the problem and take appropriate action.
If, however, you have a complaint or are dissatisfied in the way you have been treated by a member of staff, please write to the County Transport Co-ordinator directly, who will look into the matter for you, and write back to you within 5 working days.
Appeals -
In certain circumstances, parents whose travel applications are declined may be able to appeal to the Appeals Special Committee. Further information on the appeals process is available on request, please write to the Transport and Regeneration Service.
Behaviour -
It is the Council's policy to withdraw assisted travel from pupils whose behaviour during the journey to or from school is not of an acceptable standard.
Smoking on Buses -
Smoking is illegal in all public places. This includes Council School Contracts and Local Bus Services.
Drivers will report the names of pupils who are smoking to Transport and Regeneration, these pupils will receive an immediate transport ban.
Special Needs Transport -
For further information please contact your Local Area Education Office (email: East Cheshire or West Cheshire) or the Transport and Regeneration Service.
Photo cards -
Photo cards are required for all pupils using Rail services. Rail passes are only valid for travel when presented with a photocard. Photocards are also required on some bus routes. You will be notified it you are allocated a place on a bus and need a photocard.
If you already have a photocard please retain it for use next year - photo cards are not renewed each year. If you loose your photocard a replacement can be obtained by contacting Transport and Regeneration. There is a replacement fee of £12. You may also need to supply a new photograph.
Cycle Allowance -
A cycle maintenance grant is available as an alternative to a bus or rail pass, upon request. The grant for 2008/9 is £70 per annum.
Cash Grants -
Cash grants and mileage allowances are not normally available and can only be considered where there is no suitable local bus services or hired school bus available.
Transport and Regeneration
Rivacre Business Centre
Mill Lane
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire CH66 3TL
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