Help with travel to school

Some pupils may be able to get help with travelling to school or other place of education. 

If your child has as a special educational, disability or mobility need there's a separate application process. Please see our SEND travel options page for details and how to apply.

If your child doesn't have a special educational, disability or mobility need, you can find out if they're eligible for travel assistance below.

Pupils aged four to 16 years

If your child lives further from school than the walking distance allowed by law, or if you're on a low income, they may be able to get travel assistance to school. This is usually in the form of a Zero Fare Pass. This depends on where you live and which school your child goes to.

Children under eight years old

Travel assistance will be provided if the distance between the child's home and nearest available school is two miles or more.

Children aged eight to 16 years

Travel assistance will be provided if the distance between the child's home and nearest available school is three miles or more.

Low income families

Pupils from low income families (eg claiming free school meals, or getting maximum Working Tax Credit) can get the following travel assistance:

  • primary school aged children (eight to 11 years old) - if the distance is two miles or more (rather than three) from their nearest school

  • secondary school aged children (11 to 16 years old) - if the distance is between two and six miles, as long as there aren't three or more suitable schools which are nearer to their home

Apply for a pass

If your child meets any of the criteria, you can apply online for a Zoom Zero Fare Pass for travel to school and back.

For more details, see our Home to School/College Travel Assistance Policy.

Aged 16 to 19 years

Barnsley Council doesn't provide travel assistance for post-16 students. However, students in further education or apprenticeships can use travel passes which provide discounted travel across the region.

Zoom 16-18 Travel Pass

The Zoom 16-18 Travel Pass is run by Travel South Yorkshire. It gives travel discounts across the region all year round.

18-22 Discount Card 

The 18-22 Discount Card is run by Travel South Yorkshire. It gives discounted tickets if you're aged 18 to 22.

Disabled person's travel pass

The disabled person's travel pass provides free travel for anyone who's eligible due to their disability.

Other support

Schools, colleges and training providers have funds to help students studying a full-time course who struggle with the cost of the studies. For more details, talk to your student support service or tutor. You can also read our information about the 16-19 bursary fund.

Read our post-16 transport policy statement. You can also find out more about support for post-16s on GOV.UK.