Zero Fare Bus Pass

Zero Fare Bus Passes allow children who are entitled to them, to have free transport via public transport to and from school.

Who is entitled for a Zero Fare Bus Pass?

Pupils are entitled to free transport to and from school if they meet the following criteria. The school is:

  • their nearest or catchment area school as defined by the Local Authority or,
  • where the council has allocated them a place as a result of an unsuccessful parental preference for another school and,
  • they meet the eligibility criteria outlined below.

Children under the age of eight years (on 1 September of the current academic year)

The pupil must live at least two miles from the school, measured as the nearest available walking route. 

Children aged eight to sixteen (on 1 September of the current academic year)

The pupil must live at least three miles from the school, measured as the nearest available walking route.

Note that children who meet the above distance criteria, who move home within the borough whilst in Years 10 or 11, and wish to remain at the school they have been attending to complete their examination course can also apply for a Zero Fare Bus Pass.      

Young people aged 16-18 years 

Students who are aged 16-18 and in full time education can obtain a 16-18 Student Pass that offers concessionary travel in South Yorkshire. For information on how to apply visit the Travel South Yorkshire website

Families on low income

Children who receive free school meals or families who are in receipt of Maximum Working Tax Credit may also be able to apply for a Zero Fare Bus Pass. The revised criteria for this category  includes:

  • Primary pupils aged 8-11 who are attending the nearest school and the distance is over two miles away from home
  • Secondary pupils aged 11-16 attending any of the three nearest schools, between two and six miles from the pupil’s home
  • Secondary pupils aged 11-16 attending the nearest school preferred by reason of the parent’s religion or beliefs, where the distance is over two miles and up to 15 miles from the pupil’s home

If you are in receipt of Maximum Working Tax Credit, we will need to see a copy of your Tax Credit award notice for the current financial year. To confirm that you are in receipt of Maximum Working Tax Credit please compare your Award Notice to the example below of Part 2 How we work out your tax credits, which we require to determine eligibility for your application.

Maximum Working Tax Credit example
Download (329KB)

You can scan or photograph this and upload with your online application. If you have not recently received a Tax Credit Award Notice and only have annual reviews, you will need to submit your annual review as well as your previous Tax Credit Award Notice.

Lost Bus Passes

If you are in receipt of a Zero Fare Bus pass but have mislaid or lost this pass you will need to contact South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive directly  on 0114 2211419 for a replacement. Please note that there is a charge for this service

 

Do it online

Information, advice and guidance

Transport behaviour guidance

Doncaster Council, together with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive have produced a transport behaviour guide to assist in behaviour on transport.  Further information can be obtained from the Pupil Support and Passenger Transport section on:

Home to School Transport Policy

This policy details the eligibility criteria for obtaining a Zero Fare Bus Pass

Related links

Mobility Travel Pass and Senior Bus Pass

Last updated: 17 September 2021 14:34:24