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Q. What are the general criteria?
For the Council to provide free transport, the journey time from home to school must be achieved within three quarters of an hour for primary aged pupils or one and a quarter hours for secondary aged pupils. Furthermore to be entitled to travel free on school transport your child must meet the following criteria
• live within the area where Cambridgeshire County Council is the local authority
• be registered at his / her designated school, which is defined as the catchment school; or the nearest accessible school with a place; or the school specified in the student’s statement of special needs; or the school which is the only one that can meet the student’s medical needs
• be at least in the school year in which he / she will reach his / her fifth birthday
• live beyond the specified walking distance from the school: two miles for primary pupils and three miles for secondary pupils, this is measured by the shortest available walking route (to ensure the highest degree of accuracy, the local authority determines the shortest available walking route using a digital mapping system)
If no route is identified as being unavailable to the designated school (for example it is deemed unsafe) arrangements must be made for free transport for pupils aged five to 16. If you are unsure as to whether your child is entitled to free transport please email or telephone the Education Transport Department.
Information on entitlement to school transport for the 2007 / 2008 school year can be found within the notes on the school application form. Similarly information for denominational schools can be found on the denominational form.
Q. If my child is entitled to free transport to school; do I need to re-apply every year?
No. You do not need to complete a new form for each school year. If your child qualifies for free transport under the criteria listed a pass will be sent to you automatically in time for each school year, providing you remain at the same address.
Q. Is my child entitled to free transport to their work experience placement?
No. Free transport to school does not entitle your child to free transport to any work experience. The council does not assist with transport costs to work experience placements. Parents need to ensure that their child secures a work experience placement to which they have the means to travel.
Q. What are the extended rights criteria?
From September 2008 secondary age pupils from low income families will have extended transport rights. Pupils who meet the low income criteria will be entitled to transport to their three nearest secondary schools – if those schools are within two to six miles from their home address. For example
• Child A is entitled to free school meals. The nearest suitable school is 2.4 miles from their home. The second nearest school is 3 miles away; and the third nearest is 5.2 miles away. Under the extended transport rights of September 2008 Child A would be entitled to free transport to each of the schools
• Child B’s parents are in receipt of maximum level working tax credit. The nearest suitable school is 1.7 miles from their home. The second nearest school is 3.8 miles away; and the third nearest is 6.4 miles away. Under the extended transport rights of September 2008 Child B would be entitled to free transport to the second school, but not the first and the third
Q. If my child is entitled to free transport under the extended secondary rights; do I need to re-apply every year?
Yes. You will need to apply every year if your child qualifies for free transport under the new extended rights for secondary pupils from low income families. This is because you will be required to provide current documentation as proof of your low income status each year.
Q. Can I contact someone if I need further clarification or information?
Yes. Contact Sarah Long on 01223 717998 or email sarah.long@cambridgeshire.gov.uk for further clarification or information on secondary pupils from low income families.
Q. If my child is not entitled to free travel; can I pay for a seat?
Possibly: pupils who do not meet the conditions for free transport may be able to pay to travel on existing buses that are contracted to Cambridgeshire County Council. However, seats are subject to availability and issued on a first come, first served basis.
Q. How do I apply for a fare paying seat?
To apply for a fare paying seat please complete the transport application form, ensuring that you complete the fare paying section and enclose payment. Payment should be made by either a cheque or postal order and made payable to Cambridgeshire County Council. Do not send cash.
Q. What are the costs?
For the 2008 / 2009 academic year the costs for travel are
|
Cost of fare |
Journey type |
Term length |
|
£120.00 |
Return |
Full term |
|
£60 |
Return |
Half a term |
|
£60.00 |
Single |
Full term |
Important when applying for a fare paying seat you should note that:
• applications must be received after the start of the half term holiday immediately before the term for which the application is being made
• if you do not enclose payment with your form, the date of receipt of your application will be counted from when the payment is received
• Cambridgeshire County Council cannot guarantee to give advanced warning of seats that are no longer available, furthermore the issue of a ticket for one term does not guarantee the issue of tickets for subsequent terms
• the ticket concession is not available for use on public service buses provided by bus companies, in this case you should apply to the bus company for a season ticket
Q. Why do you no longer operate a low income spare seat charge?
Spare seats are usually purchased in cases of parental preference (i.e. where a parent has made a choice to send their child to a school that is not their local school). Furthermore, the decision to purchase a seat on a bus to a local school that is under statutory walking distances (2 miles for primary or 3 miles for secondary), is parental choice over the pupil walking or cycling to school. With limited budgets, the Local Authority cannot continue to subsidise the spare seats of pupils from low income families, where parents have either expressed a preference to an alternative school or who choose for their child to travel on the bus when they are within walking/cycling distance.
When purchasing a seat, the daily cost works out at £1.89 per day, which is still excellent value for money for all families.
Q. My child is not entitled to free transport however there are exceptional circumstances and I would like to be considered. Is there a procedure for this?
Yes. There is a procedure if your child is not entitled to free transport but you believe that there are exceptional circumstances and you wish to be considered. Your case will be reviewed by a Senior Officer who will decide whether an exemption can be made. Please telephone 01223 717998 to find out more about the Council’s officer panel.