School Transport

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has a policy to provide free transport for those pupils who are resident in the Borough and meet the criteria, which have been agreed by the elected Members of the Council.

Parental choice alone will not be funded under these criteria.  Parental choice is where a parent chooses to send their child to a school that is not their nearest suitable school.  Care should therefore be taken when applying for a school place if transport is a consideration.  An offer of a school place does not guarantee free school transport even if you live over the statutory walking distance from the school you have been offered.

Reception to Year 11

For Parents/Guardians/Carers with children aged between 4 (if attending a reception class in a school) to 16 years, please see the 'Home to School Transport Guidance Notes' (Related Downloads on the right) for full details and eligibility criteria.  If you believe you are eligible, complete the 'Home to School Application Form' and send it to us.  If your child attends a Special School, please contact Department of Children & Learning using Contact a Service on the right.

Secondary School pupils

Families on low income (those entitled to free school meals or who are in receipt of their maximum working tax credit) are entitled to receive free travel in certain circumstances.  You should register your eligibility for Free School meals prior to applying for Home to School transport.  Please refer to our webpage on Free School Meals for full details. 

Post 16 Students

For students over the age of 16 and up to the age of 19, transport awards are discretionary.  Please see the 'Post 16 Travel Assistance Guidance Notes' for full details and eligibility criteria.  If you believe you are eligible, complete the 'Post 16 Discretionary Transport Request' and send it to us.

Consultation

Home to School transport must be applied for on an annual basis.  There will be a consultation on the current policy taking place in the early part of the academic year 2010-11.

Enquiries

Any enquiries regarding free travel to any educational establishment in the Borough of Southend-on-Sea should be made in writing to the Passenger Transport & Fleet Management Group, Tickfield Industrial Estate, Tickfield Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6LL.

Alternatively you can telephone the help line (please see Contact a Service) between 10am & 4pm or contact via email (passengertransport@southend.gov.uk). Outside these times you may leave a message on our answering service.

Enquiries regarding bus services should be made to Essex Traveline 0871 200 2233 (07:00-22:00 weekdays and 08:00-20:00 at weekends).  Calls cost 10p per minute plus any charges your network provider makes.  Alternatively you can plan your bus journey using the Traveline website (see Useful Websites).

All forms and guidance notes mentioned above can be found in our Related Downloads on the right of this page.