Using school transport and your smart travel pass

Frequently asked questions when using school transport.

How to use the travel pass

The travel pass is a smartcard that your child will need to use on every journey they take. It contains information about what route they can take and when it expires.

Your child should touch the pass against the machine as they get on the bus.

The travel pass can be replaced if it's lost or stolen and cancelled remotely to stop someone else using it.

Can the pass only be used at certain times?

Your child can only use their travel pass for one return journey to school or college on the service allocated.

What if transport doesn't arrive?

Students should return home if their school transport is more than 30 minutes late.

Make sure that your child has someone to contact if they need help if their transport doesn't arrive.

Check operator websites and social media to see if there are any service disruptions.

What if the machine will not read my travel pass?

If the red light flashes, your pass is invalid. It has either been cancelled or it has expired or you are travelling on the wrong bus. The driver can print out the reason for this for you. You cannot travel with an invalid pass, so will have to pay the appropriate fare or board the correct school bus. To renew your bus pass please apply on the school transport or Post16 transport page.

If the pass is not recognised and there is no light or sound from the machine this means the chip in the card has been broken. Smartcards are robust if taken care of. However, just like a bank card, if a smartcard is bent too far or cut into the chip inside will break. If your pass has been broken you cannot travel unless you pay the appropriate fare. Visit Replacement passes for more information.

Lost property

Telephone or email the operator of the service if your child loses something on a bus or train.

Parental responsibility

Parents are responsible for their children before boarding and also after leaving the vehicle at the end of the day. This includes ensuring they have a pass to travel.

Children of primary school age (Years R-6) and children with special needs should be collected from school transport by an appropriate adult, eg a parent/guardian, and parents should ensure that they or someone else can be at the drop-off point. If there is no adult present at the drop-off point, the child will not be left, which may mean that the school transport continues its route with the child on board whilst the parent/guardian is contacted. 

Behaviour on school transport

Find out how we expect students to behave when waiting for and using school transport.