Free and discounted public transport

Most pupils can use free public transport for travelling to school or college.

Find out more about free and discounted public transport (Transport for London)

Home to school travel assistance

We provide home to school travel assistance for children and young people who:

  • live in Royal Greenwich
  • are in school, sixth form or further education
  • cannot use public transport for specific reasons, and
  • meet our eligibility criteria

Who can apply for travel assistance

Pupils aged 5 to 16

Your child may be eligible for travel assistance if they attend their nearest school and they’re: 

  • under 8 years old and live more than 2 miles walk from their school
  • over 8 years old and live more than 3 miles walk from their school
  • 5 to 16 years old and cannot walk to school because of a special educational need or disability (SEND) or a mobility problem, even if accompanied by a parent or carer
  • 5 to 16 years old and cannot travel to school safely, even if accompanied by a parent or carer 

Your child may also be eligible for travel assistance if you’re from a low-income household.

Students aged 16 to 18

Young people may be eligible for travel assistance if they’re:

  • 16 to 18 years old
  • with or without SEND
  • cannot travel to school or college without support or because travelling on public transport does not meet their SEND or mobility needs

Students aged 19 to 25

Young people may be eligible for travel assistance if they:

  • are 19 to 25 years old
  • have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • cannot travel to school or college by themselves

Students with SEND

Find out more about how to get help with travel to school for children and young people with SEND

What we provide

Based on individual circumstances, we can provide assistance by:

  • arranging a special bus, coach or taxi
  • paying families so they can make other travel arrangements
  • provide training to support children and young people to travel independently

Find out more in our Home to School Travel Assistance Policy and Post-16 Travel Policy Statement:

Before you apply

You’ll need to make sure you have the following information ready: 

  • your child’s personal details
  • their school or college
  • your personal details
  • emergency contact details
  • your child’s journey to school
  • any special educational needs, disabilities or medical conditions
  • your household income 

Apply for travel assistance

You’ll need to complete our home to school travel assistance application form.

Apply online for home to school travel assistance

If you cannot apply online, you'll need to download and complete the Home to school travel assistance application form:

After you’ve applied

We‘ll usually contact you within 3 weeks of receiving your application form. It may take longer if we need more information from you.

We’ll let you know:

  • whether your child is eligible for assistance
  • what type of assistance you’ll get

If your application is successful, we’ll usually start the assistance within one month of notifying you.

Appeal a travel assistance decision

If you disagree with our decision about travel assistance, you may submit an appeal. You must submit your appeal within 28 days of receiving the decision.

You may appeal against a decision about:

  • not awarding your child travel assistance
  • the travel assistance arrangements we’ve proposed
  • changes to your existing travel assistance arrangements

Download our Travel Assistance Appeal Form:

If your child is not eligible

If your child is not eligible for travel assistance, you’re responsible for arranging their travel to school and meeting the cost. It’s helpful to know that:

  • children aged 16 and under can get free travel on all Transport for London buses
  • students over the age of 16 can apply for discounted public transport

Find out more about free and discounted public transport (Transport for London)

Find out more about the 16 to 25 Railcard

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