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Transport, Entitlement
What is the purpose of transport assistance?
The purpose of transport assistance is to facilitate eligible pupils of compulsory school age with their attendance at school. The Board is not required to provide transport for children under compulsory school age, including reception, pre-school and nursery.
The purpose of transport assistance is to facilitate eligible pupils of compulsory school age with their attendance at school. The Board is not required to provide transport for children under compulsory school age, including reception, pre-school and nursery.
What is the definition of a suitable school?
A suitable school is a grant aided school in any of the following categories:-
A suitable school is a grant aided school in any of the following categories:-
| Type of School | Category |
| Grammar | Denominational or Non-denominational |
| Secondary (Post Primary) | Catholic maintained or Controlled or Integrated or Irish-Medium |
| Primary or other Voluntary | Catholic maintained or Controlled or Integrated of Irish-Medium |
| Special | Controlled or Maintained |
These categories of schools do not extend to take account of other factors such as single sex or co-educational schools. Preference expressed on grounds of single sex or co-educational schools will not qualify for transport assistance if an otherwise suitable school exists within statutory walking distance and the chosen school lies outside this limit.
For the purpose of transport the term denominational grammar school encompasses all grammar schools under Catholic management. Any schools, which may have been set up by a Protestant Board of Education, are deemed non-denominational.
Integrated schools are those which are constituted as grant maintained integrated schools or controlled integrated schools with no distinction between the 2 types.
Will the Board provide transport assistance for pupils attending non-grant aided schools?
The Board will not provide transport assistance for pupils attending non-grant aided schools.
The Board will not provide transport assistance for pupils attending non-grant aided schools.
Will assistance be provided if a pupil is not attending a school nearest their permanent home address?
Where there is a suitable school(s) within the statutory walking distance from a pupil’s permanent home address and a pupil attends a school outside the statutory walking distance, transport assistance will be provided only where the pupil has been unable to gain a place in any/all suitable school(s) within statutory walking distance. The nearest suitable school(s) must be revealed in order of preference on the pupil’s transport application form.
Where there is a suitable school(s) within the statutory walking distance from a pupil’s permanent home address and a pupil attends a school outside the statutory walking distance, transport assistance will be provided only where the pupil has been unable to gain a place in any/all suitable school(s) within statutory walking distance. The nearest suitable school(s) must be revealed in order of preference on the pupil’s transport application form.
The Home to School Transport Policy makes no exceptions for those parents who disregard the requirements to apply to any/all suitable school(s) within walking distance of a pupil’s permanent home address on the basis of possible rejection by those school(s). This may mean parents will need to apply to some schools even where, on evidence of past patterns, there would be little prospect of obtaining a place. To do so will not affect their application to other schools. If a child does not obtain a place at their first preference school, the second preference school is obliged to consider an application on the same basis as if it had been the parent’s first preference. A parent would then be fully eligible for transport assistance for their child to a suitable school outside statutory walking distance.
Where there is no suitable school(s) within statutory walking distance from a pupil’s permanent home address the Board may provide transport assistance to any suitable school, provided that a suitable Board or public transport service to or in the vicinity of that school is already available.
Will the Board introduce new routes or extend or vary an existing route in a way?
The Board will not introduce new routes or extend or vary an existing route in a way which would involve additional cost except where the change is necessary to ensure that a pupil is not required to walk for more than the statutory walking distance. Where a route extension is approved the extension will be linked formally to the transport entitlement of specified pupils. When those pupils no longer require the service the extension will be discontinued.
The Board will not introduce new routes or extend or vary an existing route in a way which would involve additional cost except where the change is necessary to ensure that a pupil is not required to walk for more than the statutory walking distance. Where a route extension is approved the extension will be linked formally to the transport entitlement of specified pupils. When those pupils no longer require the service the extension will be discontinued.
The Board will review its services in accordance with Best Value principles on a regular basis and at least annually, taking account of its statutory obligations and the need for efficient utilisation of limited resources.
Can a dissatisfied decision in relation to home to school transport be appealed?
Parents who are dissatisfied with a decision in relation to home to school transport may appeal the decision. The appeal should be submitted to the Board in writing. The Board will make arrangements to consider the appeal.
Parents who are dissatisfied with a decision in relation to home to school transport may appeal the decision. The appeal should be submitted to the Board in writing. The Board will make arrangements to consider the appeal.
What is the statutory walking distance?
The statutory walking distance for children attending primary school must exceed 2 miles and 3 miles for pupils attending secondary school. (The distance in both cases refers to the shortest walking route between the pupil’s permanent home address and the nearest school entrance).
The statutory walking distance for children attending primary school must exceed 2 miles and 3 miles for pupils attending secondary school. (The distance in both cases refers to the shortest walking route between the pupil’s permanent home address and the nearest school entrance).
Can transport assistance be withdrawn?
The Board reserves the right to withdraw transport assistance if a route is reviewed and found to be within the statutory walking distance.
The Board reserves the right to withdraw transport assistance if a route is reviewed and found to be within the statutory walking distance.
What age do you have to be to be entitled to transport assistance?
Pupils under 19 years of age on or before the 30 June, in the calendar year, who are in full time education at schools and Institutes of Further Education are eligible for assistance with transport on the same basis as pupils of compulsory school age attending secondary school.
Pupils under 19 years of age on or before the 30 June, in the calendar year, who are in full time education at schools and Institutes of Further Education are eligible for assistance with transport on the same basis as pupils of compulsory school age attending secondary school.
What if a pupil is moved from a school within statutory walking distance to a school further away?
Parents who choose to withdraw their children from a school, within statutory walking distance of the permanent home address, and obtain enrolment at a more distant school relinquish their child’s entitlement to travel assistance, regardless of circumstances.
Parents who choose to withdraw their children from a school, within statutory walking distance of the permanent home address, and obtain enrolment at a more distant school relinquish their child’s entitlement to travel assistance, regardless of circumstances.
Where a pupil applies for transport assistance to a more distant school in order to complete a course of study leading to GCE A Level qualifications, assistance will be granted only when evidence is provided that no suitable school within statutory walking distance of the pupil’s home can offer suitable GCE A Level provision.
Transport assistance will not be provided for students who wish to attend a more distant College to undertake a qualification which is available at the nearest College within statutory walking distance of the student’s permanent home address.
Does a sessional ticket have to be returned when transport assistance is no longer qualified for?
Pupils who are in receipt of a sessional ticket and as a consequence of the transport policy no longer qualify for travel assistance must return their travel pass to the Transport Office for cancellation. Failure to do so could result in the Board seeking a refund of the cost from the parents.
Pupils who are in receipt of a sessional ticket and as a consequence of the transport policy no longer qualify for travel assistance must return their travel pass to the Transport Office for cancellation. Failure to do so could result in the Board seeking a refund of the cost from the parents.
Does transport assistance apply to a pupil’s complete journey to school?
Transport assistance may not necessarily apply to a pupil’s complete journey to school. Where a pupil’s travel involves the use of transport services provided by 2 separate operators the pupil will be issued with a sessional ticket to cover the longest section of the journey. A second ticket will only be provided where both parts of the journey are in excess of the statutory distance.
Transport assistance may not necessarily apply to a pupil’s complete journey to school. Where a pupil’s travel involves the use of transport services provided by 2 separate operators the pupil will be issued with a sessional ticket to cover the longest section of the journey. A second ticket will only be provided where both parts of the journey are in excess of the statutory distance.
Who will sessional tickets be issued to and when may they be used?
Sessional tickets for public transport will be issued to pupils and students who qualify for assistance. These tickets may be used for journeys made each weekday during the academic year (1 September to 30 June) between their home stage and the school or College Campus where they are enrolled. The forward journey must be completed by 12.00 noon and the return journey before 6.30 pm. Translink may authorise travel outside of these times following a request from the Board.
Sessional tickets for public transport will be issued to pupils and students who qualify for assistance. These tickets may be used for journeys made each weekday during the academic year (1 September to 30 June) between their home stage and the school or College Campus where they are enrolled. The forward journey must be completed by 12.00 noon and the return journey before 6.30 pm. Translink may authorise travel outside of these times following a request from the Board.
How will transport be provided?
Transport will be provided in the most cost-effective manner. This may involve providing rail travel, where it is available, in preference to bus transport.
Transport will be provided in the most cost-effective manner. This may involve providing rail travel, where it is available, in preference to bus transport.
