If your child is assessed and doesn’t meet criteria for free transport, we have no statutory duty to provide travel assistance.
Spare Seat Scheme
In some cases the Spare Seat Scheme (previously called Privilege Pass Scheme) may be an option for you. The scheme offers the opportunity to purchase a pass to travel on certain school bus services contracted by us, if there are spare seats available.
The Spare Seat Scheme is operated where the Council has 'spare' seats on contracted routes that accommodate eligible students. Spare seats are usually very limited and issued on a first come, first served, termly basis, once eligible students have been allocated and the route is operating effectively.
Cost
If you are successful with your application for a spare seat, there is a cost of £377 per term. Payment must be made in full, in advance for the term.
There are no reductions for part-time travel.
Your child may be eligible for a reduction in the cost of a spare seat if you are in receipt of Income Support or maximum rate of Working Tax Credit or you receive or qualify for free school meals. If you live outside Bedford Borough you will not qualify for any discount.
Criteria
- Spare seats on our bus services are very limited and cannot be guaranteed. You should not rely on the Spare Seats Scheme as the only way to transport your child to school.
- Additional transport will not be provided to accommodate non-eligible children, neither will existing transport be diverted to service a non-eligible area.
- Additional vehicle stops will not be added to existing school routes to service non-eligible children. Spare Seats pass holders will be expected to make their way to and from the existing boarding/departing designated stops.
- The Spare Seats passes cannot be used on public transport routes or train services.
Apply online for Summer term 2025
16 to 19 Bursary Fund
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific barriers to participation so they can remain in education.
There are two types of 16 to 19 bursaries:
- A vulnerable bursary of up to £1,200 a year for young people in one of the defined vulnerable groups.
- Discretionary bursaries which institutions award to meet individual needs, for example, help with the cost of transport, meals, books and equipment.
Institutions are responsible for managing both types of bursary.
Concessionary travel scheme
Children and young people with certain disabilities may be entitled to a free bus pass through the Concessionary Travel Scheme. The pass allows free off-peak travel on most local bus services anywhere in England. Bedford Borough pass holders can also travel for a fare of £1 on most peak-time bus services within the Borough.
Visit our bus pass page for further information on how to apply.
SEND advice
The SEND Advice Service (formerly Parent Partnership Service) offers free confidential information, advice and support on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to young people and parent(s)/carer(s).
Bedford Borough SEND Advice Service
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP
Email: sendadvice@bedford.gov.uk
Web: SEND advice web pages
Visit GOV.UK for further information on free school transport.
Visit our school admissions pages for further information.&