This page gives information about school transport assistance for children who do not have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or medical conditions.
For children with SEND or medical conditions please view our Transport for children with special educational needs or disability (SEND) page.
Am I eligible for free transport?
Children aged 5 to 16 years old are entitled to free home to school transport if they are either:
- under 8 years old, attend their nearest qualifying school and live 2 miles or more from that school
- 8 years old or over, attend their nearest qualifying school and live 3 miles or more from that school
What if my family is on low income?
Children will also get free transport if their parents get their maximum level of Working Tax Credit
or the child is entitled to free school meals (due to low income)
and if they are either:
- aged 8 to 11 years old and the school is over 2 miles and under 3 miles ( attending nearest, qualifying school to home address); or
- aged 11 to 16 years old and the school is 2 to 6 miles away (when attending one of the three nearest schools to home address); or
- aged 11 to 16 years old attending the nearest school to accommodate their religion/belief and living 2 to 15 miles away
These criteria can be found in section 3 of the latest version of the Children’s Services Transport Policy, which can be found in the related documents section at the bottom of this page.
Is there any support for children who live relatively close to their school?
Children are entitled to support if they attend their nearest qualifying school and:
- cannot walk to school because they live in a rural area and the route is unsafe, typically where there’s no pavement or step-off, or
- cannot walk to school because of a disability or temporary mobility problem, or
- • their parents are disabled and, as a result of their disability, they are unable to accompany them to ensure their safety – this applies to children of primary school age
You can find full details of all eligibility criteria by reading the latest version of the Children’s Services Transport Policy, which can be found in the related documents section at the bottom of this page.
How do I apply?
If, having read the Children’s Services Transport Policy, you believe your child meets the eligibility criteria, please download, print out, fill in and return the Application Form (PDF 326KB) to:
Leeds Education Transport Assessment Team
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Wellington House
40 – 50 Wellington Street
Leeds, LS1 2DE
Alternatively you can call us on 0113 348 1121 to ask for a paper copy or for advice.
Or you can find information and application forms for all kinds of school transport assistance in the Schools pages of www.wymetro.com
Once your fully-completed application has been received we aim to assess it and contact you within 15 working days.
What if I don't agree with your decision?
If you applied for school transport assistance for a child who does not have an EHCP or a medical condition, and you disagree with the decision, you may ask for us to review it at Stage 1 of our appeals process. You should write to us explaining why you believe we haven’t assessed your application properly. Your application will be reviewed by a senior assessor, and we’ll aim to send you a written response within 20 working days of receiving your letter.
Please send your letter to:
Leeds Education Transport Assessment Team
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Wellington House
40 – 50 Wellington Street
Leeds, LS1 2DE
