It is our policy to provide free home to school transport for full time pupils from five to seven years of age who live over two miles from the school nearest to their home, and for those aged eight to 16 years who live over three miles from the appropriate school nearest to their home.

The distance from the pupil's home is measured by the nearest suitable walking route as accompanied by the parent/guardian/carer.

Pupils who qualify for 'free' transport will be provided with a zero fare travel pass for use on public transport serving schools.  These transport services are operated as part of the local commercial network and whilst they are mainly used by school pupils, they are also available to other fare paying passengers.  Where it is not possible to issue a travel pass, parents will be refunded travelling expenses according to the cheapest available public transport rates.  Where public transport is not available, alternative travel arrangements may be made by the Executive Director of Education.

In certain circumstances where a child attends a voluntary aided school that is not the one nearest to their home, free transport will be provided if the following criteria is met

• the voluntary aided school is over two miles from their home for primary pupils and three miles from their home for secondary pupils;
• they have been baptised into the Roman Catholic Church or have been baptised into and are practising members of the Church of England;
• they are in receipt of free school meals.

Procedure

If you think you may be eligible for free travel you can Apply for a Zero Fare Travel Pass Online or contact the Education School Transport Team to request an application form.

The School Transport staff will then assess the distance from your home to the nearest appropriate school and inform you of your entitlement.

If you are entitled to free travel this will usually be by way of a zero fare travel pass for your child to use on any public transport service, which includes school bus services. You will be sent an application form which you should complete and return to Education School Transport with a passport sized photograph of your child. A zero fare travel pass will then be sent to you within 10 working days.

If you are not entitled to free travel your child can travel on public transport at the concessionary rate of fare as determined by the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

Helplines

Education School Transport Team 01226 773584 or 773590.
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (concessionary passes) 0114 2211476
South Yorkshire Traveline (public transport service details) 01709 515151

Charges/Fees

There is no charge to your child if he/she is entitled to free travel.

The only exception to this is if he/she was to lose their free travel pass in which case the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive would make a small charge to replace the pass.

Opening Times/Locations

School Transport
Education Services
Berneslai Close
Barnsley
S70 2HS

Tel number:  01226 773584
Fax number: 01226 774504
Email: schooltransport@barnsley.gov.uk

Office opening times 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday

How the customer can help

You can help by supplying accurate information in terms of your child's date of birth, home address and school attending or about to attend.

You can also help by ensuring that when you submit an application form for free travel you ensure that a photograph is attached and the name of your child, your postcode and school are written on the back of the photograph.

Application Form References

'Application for Zero Fare Pass to and from School' - this application form is only available from the Education School Transport team.

You must inform the Education School Transport team if you change your address and/or if your child transfers to another school.

Leaflets

Further details of the school transport policy are included in the 'Admission to School - Advice to Parents' brochures.

Details of concessionary passes are contained in leaflets produced by the South Yorkshire Transport Executive.

Distribution Points

'Admission to School - Advice to Parents' brochure is available from Education Services, Berneslai Close, Barnsley S70 2HS.

Concessionary Pass leaflets are available from Travel Information Centres which are situated in all Transport Interchanges throughout South Yorkshire.

Legislation

Education Act 1996, Sections 444 and 509

Response Times / Next Steps

On receipt of your application form for free travel we will endeavour to forward your child's zero fare travel pass to your home address within 10 working days.

The only exception to this is when new and renewal application forms are required early for the start of a new school year. Whilst we need the forms in May/ June for a new school year the passes will not usually be distributed to pupils until the August prior to the school year starting in September.

Out of Hours Procedure

If you contact us by telephone out of office hours there are message taking facilities which ensure that your call will be returned.

Alternatively you may contact us by email or fax which will also ensure a speedy response.

Owner Officer Contact Details

School Transport Manager, Education Services, Berneslai Close, Barnsley S70 2HS.

Additional Notes

Once you have received your zero fare travel pass this will be valid up to the end of July.

Your pass needs to be renewed each school year and we will automatically send renewal application forms to your home address each April or May to allow you time to submit them to this office preferably by the end of June. This will ensure that your child receives their pass in time for the start of the new term in September each year.

If you change your address and do not inform us then your renewal application form will automatically be sent to your previous address as contained in our records. Please contact us if this situation arises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my child is entitled to free travel but there is no public transport serving the area in which I live, in which case a free travel pass would not be appropriate?

You should inform us of this at the time of contact in which case we would explore alternative options.

What if I live less than the statutory qualifying distance for free travel but I consider the walking route from my home to the school to be unsafe?

You should inform us at the time of contact and we will undertake a risk assessment of the shortest suitable walking route from your home to school. If the assessment determines that the route is unsafe for an accompanied child to walk then free travel would be provided.

What if my child loses their free travel pass?

You should contact the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive for a replacement.