We want your views on proposed policy changes to home to school transport eligibility and support.
As we face financial challenges due to rising costs and growing demand for services, all our budgets are under increasing pressure.
We have taken the difficult decision to consult on some key areas of provision that are:
- currently provided on a discretionary basis
- are above statutory requirements
Any agreed changes to policy would:
- apply to new admissions and/or transport applications received on or after 19 September 2026 for the 2027/28 academic year
- affect new entrants to schools (Reception and Year 7) with effect from September 2027
Changes to SEND transport support would apply to those starting their Post 16 education in Year 12 from 1 September 2027.
Support for low income families would continue.
Existing transport arrangements
Current Post-16 SEND students will continue under their existing arrangements until their course ends.
All students currently receiving transport under nearest/catchment eligibility will continue to receive this transport until the end of year 11. We are not removing any transport entitlement from existing students with eligibility for free transport under the current policy.
Proposed changes
The proposed changes include:
- free transport for eligible pupils will only be to the nearest suitable school (not nearest or catchment)
- reviewing how the spare seat scheme currently operates
- removing automatic entitlement to free transport for 4 year olds
- introducing a means-tested charge for Post16 SEND transport - aligned with the mainstream spare seat price
Post 16 Transport options
A greater range of options will be explored before providing dedicated transport, including:
- bus or rail passes
- Independent Travel Training
- Personal Travel Budgets
- commissioned transport where other options are not suitable
Proposal documents
You can find all the changes we’re proposing in the following documents:
- Proposed Home to School Transport Policy Changes (PDF , 4MB)
- Children and Young People’s Home to School Travel Assistance policy – for children from Reception to Year 11 for the 2027/28 academic year (PDF , 1.6MB)
- Post 16 Transport Policy Statement – consultation draft for the 2027/28 academic year (PDF , 1.9MB)
Have your say
Online
The consultation opens at midnight on 27 February 2026. It will close on 11:59pm on 21 April 2026.
Complete the consultation online
Meetings
We're holding meetings for you to ask any questions you may have, in person and online.
In person
We’re holding in person meetings in 2026 at:
- Ulverston Library - 4 March from 9am to 11am
- Barrow Library - 4 March from 12pm to 2pm
- Penrith Library - 4 March from 3:30pm to 5pm
- Alston Local Links - 25 March from 11am to 1pm
- Kendal Town Hall - Friday 27 March from 11am to 1pm
- Appleby Library - 30 March from 10am to 12pm
- Kirkby Lonsdale Methodist Church - 30 March from 2pm to 4pm
- Dalton Library - 31 March from 11am to 1pm
- Walney Library - 8 April from 1pm to 3pm
- Kirkby Stephen Local Links - 13 April from 9am to 11am
- Sedbergh People's Hall - 16 April from 9am to 11am
Online
You can book onto one of our online sessions and meet with one of the team on Microsoft Teams for a 15-minute chat.
The time slots for our online sessions in 2026 are:
- Tuesday 3 March from 6pm to 8pm
- Tuesday 24 March from 6pm to 8pm
- Monday 30 March from 6.30pm to 8:30pm
- Thursday 2 April from 2pm to 6pm
- Tuesday 7 April from 9am to 11am
- Tuesday 7 April from 6.30pm to 8:30pm
- Monday 13 April from 3pm to 5:30pm
- Friday 17 April from 11am to 5pm
- Tuesday 21 April from 2pm to 7pm
Email school.transport@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk with your preferred date and time slot. Time slots are every 15 minutes from the hour.
We will confirm availability and send you a calendar link for the meeting.
More sessions can be made available on request.
Next steps
We will summarise the feedback we receive, and how it will inform the final policy in summer 2026.