Parents and guardians reminded to finalise travel arrangements for 2022-2023 school year
Parents and guardians in Lancashire are being reminded to make sure school travel arrangements are in place for the next academic year.
By law, we must provide free transport to and from school for your child if they are aged 5 to 16 and they live outside the legal walking distance between your home and the nearest qualifying school. We must also provide additional assistance for families who have a low income.
The eligibility criteria for free school transport is set out in our Home to Mainstream School Transport Policy.
The transport entitlement for all pupils starting secondary school is assessed by the county council.
Any parent or guardian who has received a letter and application form about transport for eligible pupils starting Year 7 in September 2022 should return this as soon as possible. Once we receive the completed application form, we will endeavour to issue a new pass in time for the new school term.
Parents or guardians who thinks their child may now be entitled to receive help with travel costs since submitting their secondary school application, due to a change in circumstances, should contact the School Transport Line on 0300 123 6738.
County Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for education and skills for Lancashire County Council, said: "Preparing for the new school year can be a stressful time, but it's vital that you make sure your child's travel arrangements are in place.
"If you have received a letter and an application form about transport for pupils starting secondary school, please return your completed application as soon as possible and we will endeavour to get this to you before the start of the new term.
"And if you think your child may now be entitled to receive help with travel costs due to a change of circumstances, contact our School Transport Line and our trained staff will be happy to assist."
Pupils who need to replace their Gold Pass that is used on services contracted by the county council only, should also contact the School Transport Line. Passes are valid to the month and year printed on the pass. Gold passes will cost £20 to replace.
Please let us know any changes in address and/or school as soon as possible to ensure we provide a valid pass for the start of the new school year.
Any sixth form pupil who has previously travelled on a school bus contracted by the county council may be able to continue to do this, if there are seats available, by purchasing a travel season ticket.
Primary school pupils in years 1 to 6 and secondary school students in years 8 to 11 who received help with transport last year and whose circumstances have not changed will receive their passes in August.
Parents and guardians of children who use taxi transport provided by the county council to primary and secondary schools will be informed of any new transport arrangements by letter.
If you have not received a travel pass or season ticket by the start of term, due to the late submission of an application, please ensure that your child has sufficient money to cover the bus fares to and from school until the pass is arrives.
Parents and guardians can contact the School Transport Line on 0300 123 6738 to discuss eligibility or any other related matters.
Click the following link to view Lancashire County Council's Home to School Transport Policy 2022/2023.
More information is available at www.lancashire.gov.uk/schools