Children with Special Educational Needs
We can provide assistance with travel from home to school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Children attending mainstream schools
We provide free school travel passes to pupils if:
- They live more than three 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 two 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.
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.
Travel assistance
If you are a parent/carer and think your child needs assistance travelling to their place of education, you can apply for travel assistance.
When you apply, the form must be fully completed as the information you provide will be used to assess whether your child is entitled to travel assistance.
Medical evidence may be required to support your application, please include as much as you can.
Once we have received the form, we may contact you to discuss next steps.
We will notify you of our decision in writing. If we decline your application for assistance, we will notify you with the reasons why.
If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal. The process for appealing will be detailed in your decision letter.
It will take around 30 days from application to travel assistance starting.
Please note: It is the legal responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure their child attends school regularly, including the period during this application process.
If your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan they are entitled to a free travel pass for use on public transport. You can get an application form by visiting your local bus station or contacting Transport for Greater Manchester on 0161 244 1000.