Transport Applications →
The Integrated Transport Unit (ITU) are in the process of assigning contractors to Transport Services to begin in September
Families will receive letters over the next week to 10 days with their provider, passenger assistant and approximate pick up time details.
Letters will be posted in groups and will arrive over the course of these days. If you have not received your letter by 11am on Thursday 28th August, please contact the Integrated Transport Unit team. Enquiries before this date will hamper the information sharing process.
Applications submitted after Friday 15th August will not be processed in time for the start of the academic year.
ITU will do all that they can to provide a transport offer, however we would advise that families make arrangements for at least the first 2 weeks of the new term.
Children attending mainstream schools
We provide free school travel passes to pupils if:
- They live more than 3 miles from the nearest available school (regardless of faith), they must attend this school in order to be eligible for the pass
- They are from a low income family and attend one of the three nearest schools of the same faith, this must be over the statutory walking distance which is 2 miles from home to school.
Low income families are classed as those who:
- Get the full amount of working tax credit or other forms of benefits such as ESA, JSA or income support
- Have children who get free school meals.
If your child is eligible, please complete our online Travel Pass application form. We will aim to get back to you within 10 working days. Please note that your waiting time may be longer during busy periods.
The deadline for submitting a Free School Travel Pass Application for 2025/2026 is Sunday 1st June 2025. You will be able to submit an application after this deadline, but if eligible, you may not receive a travel pass in time for the start of the academic year.
Faith schools
If you are considered low income and your child goes to a faith school, they may be able to get a free school travel pass if they live in a parish belong to that school.
Our list of parishes and the schools they belong to will help you decide if this applies to you.
If you think that your child may be eligible for a free school travel pass, please contact us by filling in our Travel Pass application form.
College travel
If you attend full time courses at college or sixth form, you may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to £50 per academic year if you meet certain criteria. The criteria can be found in the Post 16 Transport Policy.
School buses, routes, fares and replacement bus passes
Please contact Transport for Greater Manchester (external link) on 0161 244 1000 for information on yellow school buses, school bus routes and fares and replacement bus passes.
Children with Special Educational Needs
We can provide assistance with travel from home to school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).