School and College Transport

School and College Transport (other than for Special Education)

Free transport is generally restricted to pupils who attend their catchment area school and live the necessary walking distance from the school.

Primary aged pupils (Reception to Year 6)

Free transport will be provided if living more than 2 miles from the catchment school. 

Secondary aged pupils (Years 7 to 11)

Free transport will be provided if living more than 3 miles from the catchment school.

Free transport is available to the nearest church school in accordance with the distance criteria mentioned above and in accordance with the criteria that a child’s parents and or their child adheres to the denominational faith of the school in question. The Authority reserves the right, however, to require documentary evidence to be submitted by parents in order to determine entitlement.

Apply for Home to School Transport here.

Concessionary Transport

Pupils may be allowed to occupy spare seats on school buses as a temporary concession even though they do not satisfy the criteria referred to above. No charges are currently imposed by the Authority for providing transport in such cases. Concessions may have to be withdrawn at short notice and are not provided on local bus service transport. Concessionary transport applications are required each academic year and applications will be accepted from 1st July for the following academic year.  Please note that concessionary transport will not be allocated until mid September each year.

Apply for Home to School Transport - Concessionary here.

Post 16 students

Transport will also be provided for post 16 students if they live more than 3 miles from their catchment college campus or catchment school. Provision will either be in the form of a Travel Grant (currently £48.00 per term) or a bus pass.

Apply for Home to School Transport - Post 16 here.

Post 16 students with alternative learning needs may be provided with contracted transport.

Apply for Home to School Transport - Post 16 ALN here.

If you do not wish to receive transport after it has been awarded, move address or your transport requirements alter you are required to notify the Integrated Transport Unit in writing immediately by emailing itu@torfaen.gov.uk.

Nursery Transport 

Parents should be aware that the Authority does not provide transport for nursery aged children. 

If you have any queries please contact a member of the Transport team on 01495 766919.

Pupil behaviour on School/College Transport

What happens if my child misbehaves on school transport?

Occasionally it is necessary for the Council, in conjunction with the School to impose sanctions on pupils who fail to conform to an acceptable standard of behaviour on school transport.

The implications of pupils misbehaving are wide-ranging and include delays to other pupils because the vehicle may have to be taken off the road due to the damage and disruption caused.

What action is taken against my child for any incidents of misbehaviour on school transport?

The Welsh Government has introduced an initiative called the All Wales Travel Behaviour Code. This Code encourages safer travel and sets out the standards of behaviour expected of pupils whilst travelling to their school or college. If pupils misbehave whilst travelling on school transport and do not follow the Travel Behaviour Code, action may be taken. Following an investigation the right to transport may be removed for a specified period depending on the severity of the incident.

What happens if my child has to be excluded from school transport?

If it is necessary to exclude a pupil from school transport parents will normally be notified in writing, stating the period and reason for the exclusion. Parents will be required to make alternative transport arrangements during the exclusion period to ensure the pupils continued attendance at school, unless the pupil has also received a school exclusion letter.

If the incident is serious enough to compromise the safety of the vehicle and other pupils who are travelling the exclusion from school transport may be immediate.

Last Modified: 24/08/2023
For more information contact:

Transport Team

Tel: 01495 766919

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