Parents are legally responsible for ensuring their child attends school. You should take into consideration the daily journey for your child when applying for schools.
If your child isn't eligible for school transport assistance, there are different options available for getting your child to and from school.
Buses
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Public Transport website has information on bus routes, operators, tickets, timetables and passes. They also have details of community transport options in the county.
Does your child have a Tiger Buss Pass?
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has launched the Tiger Bus Pass, offering bus fares for just £1 to residents under 25 years old.
The Tiger Bus Pass is free of charge to apply for. It is designed to make public transport more affordable for young people, helping them travel to school, college, training, work, shopping and social activities.
Train
If you need help planning your journey to school or college by train, visit the National Rail website for information on tickets, timetables, stations, train operators, accessibility, live departures and travel disruptions.
View information on discounted train travel for children on the National Rail website.
Depending on your age, you may also be eligible to apply for a railcard to get discounted train tickets:
- 16-17 Saver (get up to 50% off train ticket prices)
- 16-25 Railcard (get one third off train ticket prices)
Visit the Railcard website.
Cycling
There are many benefits to encouraging children to cycle to school:
- Reduce congestion and pollution around the school
- Help boost your child's physical and mental health
- No need to worry about traffic, parking or fuel costs
- Good for the environment - reducing your family's carbon footprint
- Increase your child's road safety awareness
- Get your child outdoors - closer to nature and getting to know the local area
Bikeability is the Government's national cycle training programme. It helps you learn practical skills and understand how to cycle on today's roads. They have helped five million children in the UK so far, but anyone of any age can take part.
Cycling allowance scheme
We offer a cycling allowance of £100 per term to parents of children who are entitled to free home-to-school transport but wish to cycle to school instead.
We will only pay the cycling allowance where the cost of school transport would exceed the amount of the cycling allowance. We will not pay the cycling allowance to children travelling on any other form of transport.
To apply for cycling allowance, you need to complete the online form on our home-to-school transport application system. Section 10 of the online form asks you if you would like to receive the cycling allowance.
Find eligibility criteria and online forms on the relevant page:
Walking
Walking is a great way to get to school. It is healthy, free and doesn't create pollution.
When walking with your primary school child(ren), use this opportunity to teach them how to cross the road safely in accordance with the Green Cross Code. Children learn by example, so try to demonstrate the Green Cross Code yourself when out with your child. This will also help you decide at what age your child can walk safely by themselves.
Before your child starts Year 7, practice their journey to school with them. Make sure they know the route and can cross roads safely. Make them aware of any risks and potential dangers and what to do in those situations.
Carpooling
Carpooling is where a group of parents take it in turns to drive their children to and from school in one vehicle.
Benefits of carpooling
- Ease congestion and lower emissions outside the school by reducing the number of vehicles
- Share the load - save time and save money on fuel
- Create a sense of community among local parents and children
- Makes the school journey more social and enjoyable
Personal Transport Budget (PTB)
A Personal Transport Budget (PTB) is an alternative to transport organised by the council. It is a payment made directly to families giving you the freedom and flexibility to make transport arrangements that suit you and your child. The amount you receive is based on the distance being travelled from home to the school or education setting.
