We do not provide free school transport for pre-statutory school age children. Children who meet the eligibility criteria explained in our school transport policy (PDF) will only be provided with free transport from the start of the term after their 5th birthday.

Please read the following eligibility criteria carefully to find out if we can help you with school transport:

Children attending a mainstream school

• Children aged under 8 can get free school transport if they attend their nearest school and live more than 2 miles away or the route is assessed as unsafe to walk.
• Children aged over 8 can get free school transport if they attend their nearest school and live more than 3 miles away, or the route is assessed as unsafe to walk.

If you think your child meets the above distance / road safety criteria and is joining a school after the start of the academic year, please apply for school transport using the form below. 

Please do not complete this form if you have already applied for a school place for your child to join reception class / transfer to middle, secondary or upper school in September 2024.  We will automatically allocate school transport for your child if child meets the eligibility criteria for transport.

Apply for school transport (starting school mid-year) 

School transport related to family income

Some families may not meet the eligibility criteria above, but they may be able to get help with school transport based on their family income.

If your child is statutory school age and entitled to free school meals (whether or  not you claim them), or your family is in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit, you may be entitled to free school transport if:

• your child is aged between 8 and 11 (school years 4 to 6), attends their nearest school and lives more than 2 miles away.
• your child is aged 11 to 16 (school years 7 to 11), attends one of their 3 nearest qualifying schools and the school is between 2 and 6 miles from their home.
• your child is aged 11 to 16 (school years 7 to 11), attends their nearest qualifying school in accordance with their parent / carer's religion or belief, and provided it is more than two miles (by the shortest available walking route), but not more than 15 miles (by motorised route) from their home.

If you think your child meets the above criteria, please apply for school transport using the form below. You will need your National Insurance number to complete the form.

Apply for school transport (related to family income)

Young people who are post statutory school age may be entitled to assistance with transport arrangements to school sixth forms if:

• they are enrolled and attend a full-time course up to and including level 3 (this means courses up to and including A Level).
• they are attending the nearest Bedford Borough 6th form school to their home address (Bedford Academy, Kempston Academy, Wootton Upper School, Biddenham School, Sharnbrook School, Mark Rutherford School and St Thomas More RC School).
• they meet the eligibility criteria detailed in sections 1.3 and 1.4 of the school transport policy (PDF).

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 12 July 2024. If your application is late, we cannot guarantee it will be processed before the start of term. The Council does not offer reimbursements for travel costs where the application or renewal is submitted late.

If you think your child meets the above criteria, please apply online, using the form below. By applying online you are accepting the mainstream post 16 school transport terms and conditions (PDF). You may need your National Insurance number to complete the form.

Apply for school transport (post 16)

This policy is for pupils attending alternative education provisions such as the Pupil Referral Unit.

• Alternative Education Provision Transport Policy 2023/24 (PDF)