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  5. Access your school transport
  6. Buy a vacant seat for children and young people going to special school

Buy a vacant seat for children and young people going to special school

If your child or young person doesn’t qualify for travel assistance, you may still be able to buy a vacant seat if they: 

  • have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan 
  • don’t qualify for school transport on another route 

Is the vacant seat scheme right for you?

We must give priority to those who qualify for free travel. 

This means: 

  • we may not be able to collect your child or young person from their home – so they may have to use an existing stop 
  • we may have to withdraw their place at short notice if a child or young person who is guaranteed transport needs it 
  • we may have to withdraw their seat if we have to move to a smaller vehicle 
  • we can’t release vacant seats to sell until November 

Before you apply, make sure the transport we offer is right for you.

Find out what assistance you can get

How much does it cost?

Prices (from September 2023): 

Primary school: £94.35 per term (6 terms per year) 

Secondary school and sixth form: £188.70 per term (6 terms per year) 

How to continue your travel in the new school year

You’ll need to reapply each year for a vacant seat. 

Usually, we won’t be able to confirm a seat until November. This means you’ll need to make other arrangements until then. And we may be unable to continue offering a vacant seat on your route. 

Apply for a vacant seat for children, young people or adult learners with an EHCP

Email us giving: 

  • The details of the child or young person needing a vacant seat 
  • Confirmation they have an EHC plan in place 
  • Your home and school address 

We aim to reply in 10 working days. We respond to applications sent between the summer holidays and October in November. 

Email: Specialist Transport Team

Phone: 01273 335067