Applying for transport
I need to apply for school transport
To find out if your child can get school transport and how to apply, please see the information on our Apply for school travel assistance page.
We will assess your application once we have received confirmation from the school that your child has been granted a place.
When your application has been assessed, we will let you know if your child is eligible. We will tell you about the transport arrangements and send you a bus pass for your child, if applicable. This can take up to 20 working days.
I need to apply for a paid seat for school transport
Paid Seats are currently £971 a year, for the 25/26 academic year this will be £1032.
We will assess your application once we have received confirmation from the school that your child has been granted a place.
When your application has been assessed, we will let you know if there is a seat available for your child. We will tell you about the transport arrangements and send you a bus pass for your child, if applicable. This can take up to 20 working days.
You can Apply for school travel assistance online.
I need to apply for transport under exceptional circumstances
Free school travel assistance is only available in certain exceptional circumstances.
The categories are:
- Critical stage
- Home based issues – death, incapacity, serious illness of a parent
- Exceptional home-based issues
- Severe and sustained bullying
- Temporary medical need
The school travel policy with further information on the eligibility criteria for each category can be found at the bottom of this page.
You can apply by filling out the free school travel assistance application form below. You will need to state your exceptional circumstances (in relation to one of the categories above). Evidence may be required to support your application.
If you need to know what evidence is required or want to check any part of the exceptional circumstances policy, please email schooladmissions@somerset.gov.uk. Make sure you read the relevant part of the School Travel Policy before you apply.
Changing personal details
My child has changed their name
If your child’s name has changed, you will need to provide a Deed Poll document, signed by all adults with Parental Responsibility.
If only one parent signs the Deed Poll, we will also need a separate signed statement from the other parent or person with Parental Responsibility to confirm they agree to the name change.
If the person signing has Sole Parental Responsibility, please include a short statement saying so.
Email these documents to coredatateam@somerset.gov.uk. Once the name has been updated on our system (Capita), you will be able to request a replacement bus pass in the correct name on our Request a replacement school bus pass page.
I have moved house
You will need to apply again from your new address to check if your child still qualifies for school transport. To do this, follow the steps under ‘how to apply’ on the Apply for school travel assistance page.
You will also need to show proof of your new address, such as a council tax bill, utility bill, signed tenancy agreement or proof of house purchase.
Information on Bus routes
I would like to find out if there is a bus route from my home to school
The best way to find out if there is a bus from your home to school is to apply for home to school transport. Routes change, so applying is the only way to check.
I need to find out my child or young person’s route for the new school year
We allocate places over the summer. You will get a letter or email with the details during the school holidays. If you have not heard from us by the end of August, please phone our customer service team on 0300 123 2224 and ask for ‘school transport’.
Late transport and lost property
My child’s bus or taxi is late
Please phone the Customer Service Team on 0300 123 2224 and ask for ‘school transport’ when prompted.
My child has left something on the bus
Please contact the provider of your child or young person’s school transport. Details of this will be found on the letter that was sent to you with the allocated travel arrangements. If you do not have a copy of this to hand, please phone the customer service team on 0300 123 2224 and ask for ‘school transport’ when prompted.
My child has lost their bus pass
You can Request a replacement school bus pass here.
The replacement bus pass is sent directly to school and can be collected from the school office.
Schools can issue a temporary bus pass until the replacement is received. Please ask the school office for this.
How to appeal
I want to appeal a school transport decision
Find out about school transport decisions on our School travel assistance decision reviews page.
Transport for young people over 16
My young person is over 16 and requires transport
If your young person is over 16 and going to a sixth form school, they can apply for a paid seat on the school bus if there are spaces available. This is called Over 16 student transport
If your child is going to college, please contact the college directly. They may offer bursaries or financial support to help with travel costs.