What to do if your child does not qualify for free transport
We are not responsible for school transport if your child is not eligible for school transport. However, there are some other options for you to consider.
Discretionary travel scheme
We may be able to offer your child a spare seat on existing school transport under our discretionary travel scheme, if they don't qualify for free transport because they:
- Live closer than the minimum distance for their age (two miles for children up to eight years old, three miles for children aged eight and older)
- Are not attending their catchment or nearest school
The following rules apply:
- We can only offer spare seats if they are available
- Your child's spare seat is subject to the School Transport Policy (PDF, 601 KB)
- You will need to pay for the seat. Details of charges are on the information sheet for 2024-25 (PDF, 161 KB)
- We may need to withdraw your child's seat with one week's notice if it is needed by a child who is eligible for school transport. This can happen at any time during the school year. If this happens before half term, we will refund you half the contribution you paid.
- If there is no space we will not be able to offer your child a seat, even if they have had a spare seat in previous school years
- We often cannot let you know if there are any spare seats available until after the school year has started
- We cannot normally offer spare seats on buses registered as local bus services. We will let you know if you can buy tickets direct from the bus operator
It is very important to always have an alternative plan for getting your child to school in case we have to withdraw your child's seat at a week's notice.
Make a school transport application for 2024-25
Alternative travel options
If you're not entitled to the transport assistance that we provide, here are some other options and places you may be able to get help
Talk to the school to see if they can help.
All schools have access to 'disadvantaged subsidy money', which they may allocate to low income families to help with travel costs.
Most schools in Norfolk have a travel plan which will include details of recommended walking routes.
Other examples of how they might be able to help include:
- Running their own bus to collect pupils who don't qualify for assistance, or contracting one through a local operator
- Pre-school or after-school clubs, giving parents more flexibility with drop-off and pick-up times
- Organising a 'Walking bus' that uses parents as volunteers to pick up children and walk them to school and take them home
- Setting up a lift scheme for parents and staff to car-share
- Helping parents to arrange a mini-bus with a local operator
- Putting you in touch with other parents who might be able to help
- Walking to school is an option encouraged by public health research. If you are new to the area, school staff may be able to suggest a walking route preferred by other families
You can get season tickets and child discounts from most bus and train operators. Timetables are available through Travel Norfolk.
Taxi operators may also offer discounts for regular journeys.
Enterprise Car Club offers new cars to use on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Students over the age of 16 could pay for a moped loan from Kickstart. Training and equipment are included.
Cycle training is available from our Road Safety Team and bikes can be bought at reduced prices from many sources including schemes such as Keystone Green Bikes based in Thetford.
If you use a childminder they may be able take your child to school, or pick them up. If they're close to school they may walk your child there.
You may be entitled to assistance with childcare costs.
Perhaps your child could stay with a friend who either lives near the school or on a suitable bus route.
We issue concessionary travel passes to young people who are entitled because of their disability.
Find another responsible adult. For those with work commitments or otherwise unable to cover the school run, another family member, friend or neighbour may be able to help. If you do not have contact details for the parents of your child's friends, the school may be willing to act as an intermediary, particularly in an emergency, although they cannot release personal details without the other party's permission.
The Norfolk Community Directory includes links to further support and guidance.
Norwich Charitable Trusts is an organisation which aims to change lives for the better in Norwich.
The Citizens Advice Bureau has information on charities that offer financial assistance for school transport.
For carers, travel and transport allowances are explained on the NHS website.
Email us on educationtransport@norfolk.gov.uk if you have any other suggestions which we could include here.
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