Spare seat scheme

Service update

The application window opened at 9am Monday 28 October 2024. Applications received before this date will not be accepted.

If you would like your child to travel on a contracted school bus, spare seats may be available for you to buy. Your child must not be eligible for local authority funded transport help. If you already have a spare seat for this academic year or are already on the waiting list, you do not need to reapply. If your child is in receipt of Local Authority funded (‘free’) home to school transport, you do not need to apply for a spare seat. The application window is for those who have not applied.

When to apply

You can apply online from 9am from Monday 28 October 2024. 

• school bus route information

Making a spare seat application does not guarantee a seat.

Post-16 students

We are now welcoming applications from sixth form students. Apply from 9am on 28 October 2024 if you want to be considered.

What happens after applying

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. We aim to process applications within five working days.

If your child is offered a seat, you will be sent an email with details of how you can pay. You will have two weeks to pay for your child’s seat. If you require transport before the payment deadline date you will need to pay as soon as possible and before travel is required.

If your child has not been successful in securing a seat, they will be placed on a waiting list for the service(s) applied for. You will be notified that your child is on the waiting list(s) and you will then be contacted as and when seats become available.

Ticket costs and payment

The cost of a ticket is 

These can be paid in half term payments, full term payments or a one-off payment for the whole year. You will need to make payment by the deadline which is two weeks from the date of the offer email.

Failure to pay by the deadline will result in your spare seat offer being removed. Your seat will then be offered to a child that may be on the waiting list. You would then need to reapply during a new application window should you want to take up a seat again.

If you have difficulty in making payment by the deadline ‘Contact School Transport’. 

Remember that if you have not made payment your child will not be permitted to travel. This will be strictly enforced.

Spare seat services you can apply for 

Should the service you require not be listed you cannot apply for that service at this time.