Doncaster Council

Entitlement to free transport to and from school

Pupils will be entitled to free transport to and from school if their school is:

• Their catchment area school, or 
• The school at which the Local Authority has allocated a place as a result of an unsuccessful parental preference for another school, or 
• A denominational school which is the nearest maintained school of the faith to which the parent adheres and the child is baptised, or 
• A school in which there is no increase in cost (to the Local Authority) of providing transport, compared to the cost of providing transport to their catchment area school, or the school allocated by the Local Authority.        

And provided that they are:

Under the age of 8 years (on 1st September of the current academic year) and live at least 2 miles from the school, measured as the nearest available walking route, and not more than 20 miles in the case of a denominational school, or

Aged 8 years or over (on 1st September of the current academic year) and live at least 3 miles  from the school, measured as the nearest available walking route, and not more than 20 miles in the case of a denominational school.

Families on Low Income

In addition to the above the following new categories of entitlement to free transport have been introduced for families on low income:

Primary pupils aged 8-11 (effective from September 2007)

• Attending the nearest school and the distance is over 2 miles from home

Secondary Pupils aged 11-16 (effective from September 2008)

• Attending any of the three nearest schools, between 2 and 6 miles from the pupil's home
• Attending the nearest school preferred by reason of the parent's religion or belief, where the distance is over 2 miles and up to 15 miles from the pupil's home

Exceptions to the above may apply to:

• Pupils who meet the distance criteria above and are attending a school sixth form, or 
• Pupils who meet the distance criteria above who move home within the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Area whilst in years 10 or 11, and wish to remain at the school they have been attending to complete their examination course        

Further information can be obtained from the Pupil Support and Transport section on telephone 01302 736080, or email transportandpupilsupport@doncaster.gov.uk  

Public transport is used wherever possible, and zero rated bus passes will be issued to pupils entitled to free transport.

Pupils resident in South Yorkshire, who are under the age of 18 years (on 1st September of the current academic year) who are not eligible for a Zero Fare Pass from the Local Authority, can obtain a concessionary fare pass by contacting South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, at Duke Street, Doncaster on telephone 01302 815001, alternatively you can visit the website www.travelsouthyorkshire.com to obtain more information.