Free school transport and travel assistance
Your children may be able to get free transport or travel assistance to school depending on how far the walk is, any special needs they have and whether the walk is safe.
In Newham we offer two types of travel assistance to support children getting to school
Free travel assistance for children with special education needs
This could include:
- A travel pass
- A walking escort
- Minibus or car transport.
Free travel passes to travel on public transport
This is for children who do not receive free travel via Transport for London’s current ZIP Oyster Scheme.
Find out if you qualify for the current ZIP Oyster Scheme on the TFL website
What is the entitlement criteria?
All local authorities must have a free transport and travel policy that follows Government requirements, this can also include some local discretionary elements.
The main eligibility criteria are:
1. Statutory walking distances eligibility
We must provide free transport (travel assistance) for all pupils of compulsory school age (5-16) if their nearest suitable school is: beyond 2 miles (if below the age of 8), or beyond 3 miles (if aged between 8 and 16).
This means your child will not be eligible if they attend a school over the qualifying distances but it is not the nearest school with places available.
Your child is only eligible if they attend your nearest school with places available.
Regardless of the distance your child will not be eligible if they are already entitled to free travel via the Transport for London’s current ZIP Oyster Scheme.
2. Special educational needs, disability or mobility problems
We must provide transport arrangements for all children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of their mobility issues or because of associated health and safety issues related to their special educational needs (SEN) or disability.
Eligibility, for children under this criteria will be assessed on an individual basis to identify their particular transport requirements. Usual transport requirements (e.g. the statutory walking distances) should not be considered when assessing the transport needs of children eligible due to SEN and/or disability.
This means your child is entitled to free transport if they cannot walk to school because of their SEND or mobility problem. It does not matter how far away they live.
3. Unsafe route eligibility
We must provide transport arrangements for all children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to nearest suitable school because the nature of the route is deemed unsafe to walk.
4. Extended rights eligibility
We must provide free transport where pupils are entitled to free school meals or their parents are in receipt of maximum Working Tax Credit if:
- The nearest suitable school is beyond 2 miles (for children over the age of 8 and under 11)
- The school is between 2 and 6 miles (if aged 11-16 and there are not three or more suitable nearer schools)
- The school is between 2 and 15 miles and is the nearest school preferred on the grounds of religion or belief (aged 11-16).
This means your child will not be eligible if they attend a school over the qualifying distances but it is not the nearest school with places available. Your child is only eligible if they attend your nearest school with places available.
Regardless of the distance your child will not be eligible if they are already entitled to free travel via the Transport for London’s current ZIP Oyster Scheme.
Apply for a Newham Free Travel Pass
If you are not entitled to a TFL Travel Pass under the Mayor of London’s Scheme, you can apply to Newham for a Free Travel Pass.
Newham Free Travel Pass Application Form (PDF)
What can I do if my application is unsuccessful?
If your application for free transport or travel assistance is refused there is a two stage appeals process.
Stage one: Review by senior officer
Apply for a stage one review.
If this is unsuccessful you can move to;
Stage two: Review by an independent panel
Apply for a stage two review.
If this is unsuccessful you will be advised in the outcome letter of what options are available to you to escalate your case for further consideration.
You will soon be able to appeal an application that has been refused online. If you wish to do this, please check this page again in a few days for a link to the online form.
