From September 2027 there is a new Home to School Transport Policy. Applications for the 2027 to 2028 academic year and beyond follow the new eligibility criteria.
Changes to eligibility from September 2027 and later
Your child qualifies if they are of compulsory school age, go to their nearest suitable school only and one of the following applies:
- they are under 8 years old and the school is more than two miles away
- they are 8 or over and the school is more than three miles away
- they could not walk to school safely, even if a parent or guardian is with them
- they could not walk to school safely, even if a parent or guardian is with them because of special educational needs, disability or a mobility problem
Entitlement to free transport is linked to your nearest suitable school. Children from your area may be attending a school which is not the catchment school.
Check your nearest school
Exemption for Penrith students
The Council will use discretionary powers to apply an exemption for mainstream routes which would require travel over Kirkstone Pass or Hartside Pass to access the nearest school where this is through an application for a school place.
In these circumstances, eligibility to the next nearest school would be retained. This is in consideration of the potential seasonal risks associated with the high-altitude routes of Hartside and Kirkstone Passes and the duration of any alternative routes.
Discretionary transport for children starting Reception
From September 2027, the Council will organise discretionary transport from the start of Reception, instead of the term after your child turns five. This is provided that you apply for and buy a discretionary spare seat.
Once your child reaches compulsory school age, transport will be free.
Passenger assistants will only be provided on mainstream routes if an individual pupil has a risk-assessed Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) need.
You may not have to pay for a discretionary spare seat if:
- you qualify under extended rights or low income
- your child has SEND needs, and attends a Resourced Provision, SEND Unit, or Special School
Pre-school and nursery age children
The Council does not provide transport support for children attending Early Years settings (pre-school or nursery age).
In exceptional circumstances, the Council may use its discretionary powers to facilitate attendance through provision of a range of transport arrangements.
SEND transport changes
A SEND post 16 transport charge will be introduced for all SEND young people moving into Year 12 in September 2027.
This will be the same charge as the agreed rate for a spare seat which is £867.03 for the 2026/27 academic year. It is reviewed annually. Low-income exemptions will apply.
Travel support options will include:
- bus or train pass
- Independent Travel Training
- Personal Travel Budget
- shared dedicated transport in exceptional circumstances only and centralised pick-up points may be used
Spare seat scheme
The discretionary spare seat scheme will continue where it can operate sustainably.
From September 2027, whilst we are committed to prioritising spare seats for Post 16 students, the availability of seats for other year groups may reduce over time.
You can find how seats are allocated and withdrawn in the new policy
Before you apply
New changes apply for low income criteria from the 2026 school year that apply to all applications, including those for 2027 onwards.
You should check to see if your child is eligible for free transport if they:
- attend a faith-based school
- are in a household with a low income
- have exceptional circumstances
Check if your child is eligible for free school transport
Apply for the 2027-2028 school year
Once your school place has been confirmed, you can apply for transport to start for the next academic year.
Once your application has been assessed you will receive an update email. It will include a link to your Citizen Portal message area.
If your child is eligible for transport a pass will be sent before the end of August.
Visit Citizen Portal to make your 2027 to 2028 application
All application forms must be returned by 31 May to guarantee your application will be assessed by the beginning of the academic year.
If you apply later, transport may not be in place at the start of term and there may be a considerable delay. In the meantime, you are responsible for your child’s transport and any expenses you incur will not be refunded.
Home to School transport policy
For more detailed information on how to apply for school transport and our criteria from September 2027, please read the policy.
Home to School Transport Policy 2027 to 2028 (Reception to Year 11) (PDF , 1.4MB)
If your child is not eligible
You can check: