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Community transport - school

School Bus Passes

Summary

The council's public transport section deals with all enquiries, contracts and complaints about mainstream school bus services and passes. The council's education service deals specifically with transport for children with special needs. School bus passes offer free travel to and from school, but are only issued to pupils who live a certain distance away from their school.

Eligibility

Free school transport is provided for: high school pupils who live two miles or more from their catchment secondary school; primary pupils who live more than 1.5 miles from their catchment school. school pupils who are in their critical years (4th - 6th) and have moved to another catchment area, and have attended their catchment school; primary school pupils who are in their last year of primary school and who have moved to another catchment area, and have attended their catchment school; and attending their catchment school but with a medical problem requiring special transport provision applied for via the school doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a weekly (ten journey) ticket for my child to get a bus to school? (new window)
Does the driver have the right to put a pupil off the bus? (new window)
My daughter has a record of special needs and starts school this year. Who should I contact regarding transport? (new window)
The school bus has been late three days in a row, how do I make a complaint? (new window)
We live two and a half miles away from the catchment high school for my area. Can my child get a bus pass? (new window)
We live two miles away from the catchment primary school. Can my child get a bus pass? (new window)
If my child is in first to third year at secondary school? Can he still get a bus pass to help him attend his old school? (new window)
What happens if we move house and my child does not want to move schools. Can the council provide a pass to allow him/her to attend the old school? (new window)

Service Standards

Process applications within two working days and if appropriate organise transport within five working days;

Advise parents of time and pick up points of transport and of the company's name.

Monitor the operator''s performance and ensure that drivers are vetted via Disclosure Scotland;

Liaise with the operator, school and parents to ensure that acceptable standards of behaviour prevail on buses;

Respond to e-mail enquiries within 24 hours and letters within 3 working days;

Process applications for medical assessments for transport within 24 hours;

Carry out route assessments relating to disputes within 15 working days; and

Ensure contract compliance relating to operators'' licensing, legality and roadworthiness of vehicles, in conjunction with Department of Transport Vehicle Inspectorate.