When you apply affects what happens next
Read below to find out what happens if you apply before or after 30 June, or during the school year.
This applies to all applications:Please wait for the timescales we gave you before contacting us about your application or travel plans.
What happens after you apply
If you apply before 30 June and your child qualifies
We aim to arrange travel at least 14 days before the autumn term starts.
If you apply after 30 June
We’ll do our best to help, but we might not be able to arrange travel in time for the start of term.
You might need to make your own travel plans while we work on a solution. We’ll contact you to look at other options, such as a temporary travel allowance, if you meet certain criteria.
Please note: If we arrange transport, we might send confirmation less than 14 days before term starts.
Applying during the school year
If you apply during the school year, we aim to assess and arrange travel within 30 days.
What to expect after we offer travel help
You cannot choose the type of help. We will offer the most suitable and cost-effective option.
We try to keep travel arrangements the same, but sometimes we need to make changes.
This could be because:
- more children are added to a route
- the transport provider changes
- the type of vehicle changes
- journey times increase
- pick-up or drop-off times change
We’ll let you know about any changes as soon as possible—usually at least 2 weeks before travel starts.
If you want to change the travel plans
If you’re not happy with the travel we’ve arranged, you can ask to change it. But there are rules about what we can agree to.
You can switch from:
- bus or rail to coach
- bus to rail (in some cases)
You can’t switch from:
- coach to bus or rail
- rail to bus
- any public transport to taxi (unless there are exceptional reasons, like an unsafe walk to the bus stop)
If you think the walk to the bus stop isn’t safe, tell us. We’ll look into it and let you know what we find.
For all other changes, you’ll need to appeal. We’ll send you the link to do this.
Taxi or minibus
If we offer a taxi or minibus, you’ll get an email with a link to a letter confirming the transport provider.
The provider will contact you to confirm the start date, pick-up and drop-off times.
They may offer a ‘meet and greet’ so your child can see the vehicle and meet the team.
This isn’t always possible, especially if we add your child to an existing route.