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SEND Travel Assistance Applications 2024/2025 →

Children moving from Year 6 to Year 7 - The closing date for applications for travel assistance for children moving from Year 6 to secondary school is Friday 15th March 2024.

Children moving from Early Years to Primary School - The closing date for applications for travel assistance for children moving from Early Year (nursery) to primary school is Friday the 12th April 2024.

If your child is moving to a new school, you MUST reapply for transport.

Any applications that are submitted after these dates will not be guaranteed to have a travel assistance offer in place for the start on the academic year 2024/25.

Please note that these deadlines are for SEND Travel Assistance applications and not free school travel passes (bus pass).

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 you would like to check if your child is entitled to a free travel pass, please contact us by filling in our online Travel Pass enquiry form. We will aim to get back to you within 20 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 2024-2025 is Friday 31st May 2024. You will be able to submit an application after this deadline, but if eligible, you may not receive a travel pass 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 enquiry 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).

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