Frequently Asked Questions for Primary and Secondary School
Pupils
How do I apply for school transport?
If you wish to apply for school transport for a child who will
be starting primary school in September 2011, you should apply as
early as possible. This can be done by completing an online
online school transport application
Form or by calling the school transport team on 0300 123 5012.
Applications for pupils in years 1-6 can be made at anytime, but
please note the information below if you are simply looking to
renew your child’s transport.
Cheshire East Transport has already contacted the parents/carers
of those pupils who are starting at a secondary school (year 7) in
September 2011 if we believe that they are eligible for
help with school transport. If you have not received
a letter, but believe that your child may be eligible for school
transport, you should complete an online Application Form or call us on 0300 123 5012.
Applications for pupils in years 8-11 can be made at anytime, but
please note the information below if you are simply looking to
renew your child’s transport.
How do I renew transport for my child?
If your child is eligible for assisted transport, received a
travel pass in 2010/2011 and will be moving up to the next school
year, their details will be automatically renewed for
2011/2012. Travel passes will be issued before the start of
term, so it is important that you inform us of any change in
circumstances (such as a change of school, address or financial
circumstances if you qualify on this basis) as this may affect your
child’s entitlement.
What happens if we change our address or move to a different
school?
A change of address or school must be reported so that we can
reassess your details and update our records. Please contact
us by emailing schooltransportenquiries@cheshireeast.gov.uk
or by calling us on 0300 123 5012. Passes that are no longer
required should be returned to the Cheshire East Transport Service
for cancellation. Please ensure that you contact us immediately if
you are no longer in receipt of a benefit that entitled your child
to a travel pass.
My child will attend a denominational school, is there now a
charge for school transport?
If your child will be starting at, or
transferring to, their catchment denominational primary or
secondary school during 2011/2012, a charge towards the cost of
transport is required. The annual charge for 2011/2012 is £314.
Payment can be made on a termly or half termly basis and there will
be no charge for those pupils who qualify for free transport under
the previous policy (prior to September 2008), if they are
continuing in statutory education at the same school.
There will be no reduction to the charge on
occasions when your child does not use the service, or if the
service does not operate due to reasons beyond the authority’s
control. Parents/carers are not obligated to purchase a seat on the
authority’s school transport services and are free to make the
appropriate travel arrangements to best meet their family’s needs.
If you do wish to use the local authority’s school transport
services, you are required to make the necessary payment on time
and ensure that your child is in possession of their travel pass
each day. Please note, it is your responsibility to make enquiries
about what alternative options or public transport services may be
available to you and to compare any costs before proceeding with an
application and/or payment. Families who are entitled to one
or more of the benefits listed below will be exempt from paying the
charge:
- Free School Meals
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (but not Contribution
Based)
- Income Based Employment Support Allowance (but not Contribution
Based)
- Child Tax Credit (annual income must not exceed £15,860)
- Maximum Level of Working Families Tax Credits
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
Confirmation of a relevant
benefit must be provided before the charge can be
waived.
My family receives a state benefit,
does this mean my child is entitled to school transport?
If your family qualifies for one of
the benefits listed above, it may be possible to get help with
school transport. The child must be attending 1 of 3 high schools
that is between 2 and 6 miles of their home address.
This assistance is for high school pupils
only.
When will I receive the travel pass?
A travel pass for September will be sent to your home address
during July and August. If you have not received your ticket by
Friday 19th August please contact us on 0300 123 5012. If you
apply part way through the academic year and your child is
eligible, the Cheshire East Transport Service will aim to issue a
pass within 14 days.
When you receive the travel pass, please ensure that you keep it
in a safe place as a charge will be made to replace lost
passes. If you pay towards the cost of your child’s
transport, passes will not be dispatched until the payment due has
been received.
Do pupils need to carry their travel pass every day?
It is important that all pupils carry their pass and be ready to
show it to the driver each time the vehicle is boarded.
Passes should be kept safe and in good condition. To ensure
that only those pupils who are eligible to travel do so, bus
operators are instructed to enforce a ‘no pass, no travel’
policy.
When and for what journeys can the travel pass be used?
Unless otherwise stated, passes are valid for a return journey
to/from school, Monday to Friday only. Please refer to the
information on the reverse side of the travel pass for more
conditions of use. The misuse and/or fraudulent use of a travel
pass is treated seriously and can result in transport being
withdrawn. Any of the following may lead to confiscation:
- Use by anyone other than the named pass holder
- Attempted use for unauthorised journeys
- Using a damaged or defaced travel pass
Confiscated passes must be replaced immediately, for which there
is a charge of £14 for 2011/2012. Please refer to
the information below for payment options.
What happens if the travel pass is lost or damaged?
Lost or damaged travel passes must be replaced
as soon as possible, for which there is a charge of £14
(2011/2012).
Payment can be made with a debit or credit card online at
School
Transport Online Payments or by calling us on 0300 123
5012. Please have the student reference number ready as this
will be asked for. Once a ticket has been replaced the original
becomes invalid and cannot be used for travel. Pupils travelling on
commercial bus or rail services will be expected to pay their fare
until a replacement pass is received and no refunds will be paid
for any expenses incurred.
What if the pass is no longer required?
Any passes that are no longer required should be returned with a
covering letter to: Cheshire East Transport, Floor 6 Delamere
House, Delamere Street, Crewe, CW1 2LL. The pass can then be
cancelled so that we only pay for the journeys that have been made
- this helps to keep costs down.
If you have purchased a pass that is no longer required, it must
be received back in this office for cancellation before the start
of term, otherwise no refund will be paid. Passes that have been
used for half a term and are not required for the second half of
term, again must be received before or during the half term break.
Once term resumes, we are unable to refund any payments made,
irrespective of the number of days a student may or may not have
travelled. We would advise you to return unwanted passes by
recorded delivery as we are not able to refund any payments unless
we receive the pass.
Will my child need a photocard?
Pupils who travel to and from school by rail, must also carry a
valid photocard. If your child is allocated to a rail
service, we will contact you to request a passport sized
photograph. If your child already has a photocard, please
retain it for use as photocards are not renewed each year. If
you lose your photocard, there is a charge to replace it of £14
(2011/2012). You may also need to supply a new photograph. Please
refer to the information above for payment options.
Can I claim a refund of fares if the pass arrives late?
It may be possible to claim a refund if your
completed application has taken longer than 14
days to process, please contact us on 0300 123 5012 if you require
a claim form. The following conditions apply:
- No refunds will be paid for applications processed within 14
days.
- Only the cheapest fare available at the time of travel (e.g.
return fares/child fares) will be refunded.
- Tickets must be retained and attached to your refund claim
form.
- No refunds will be paid for pupils who have their tickets
confiscated due to misuse/damage.
- Retrospective payments for a previous academic year will not be
paid.
Can I apply for a spare seat on the bus if my child is not
eligible?
If your child is not eligible for school transport, you may be
able to purchase a spare seat on the school bus. Spare seats are
only offered where available and provided there are no alternative
bus services on which a fare can be paid. To apply, you may
complete an online Application Form or
call us on 0300 123 5012.
If you are a Cheshire East resident and you purchased a spare
seat for your child in 2010/2011, a letter confirming how to renew
the seat has been sent to you. These seats must be renewed
before 1st August 2011 as after this date , renewals will be
processed in order of receipt, along with all new applications. If
you are applying for a spare seat for the first time, you are
advised to do so as early as possible as the allocation of new
seats are processed on a first come, first served basis. Cheshire
East Transport will try to accommodate requests for spare seats
wherever possible and will aim to allocate seats as soon as we are
able to. However, please be aware that due to the varying
level of demand and availability of seats, we are unable to
guarantee the renewal of a spare seat each year. Please see
below the spare seat charges for 2011/2012:
| Cost for 2010/11 |
Pupils ages 4-16 |
| Pupil at catchment school |
£265 |
| Pupil at alternative school |
£390 |
All charges are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
In all cases, eligible pupils must take priority and spare seats
can only be offered after all eligible pupils have been allocated a
seat. This can often be after the start of term and until we
have been able to confirm if a seat is available, we will be unable
to process your payment.
How can I find out about commercial bus services on which, my
child can pay a fare?
For further information please view the Transport
Homepage or telephone the
Traveline on 0871 200 2233.
How is poor behaviour managed on school buses?
Cheshire East Transport works closely with schools and operators
to encourage a good standard of behaviour and respect on school
transport. Any bad behaviour or rule-breaking on the journey to and
from school will be treated seriously and could result in your
child being temporarily or permanently banned from
travelling. Smoking is illegal in public places and this
includes all school bus, local bus and rail services. Any
pupils found to be smoking will receive an immediate transport
ban.
Is my child entitled to special needs transport?
For further information please contact the Assessment and
Monitoring Team by calling 01625 378042.
My child has been refused a bus pass, can I appeal?
Cheshire East Transport can only consider transport applications
that meet the criteria of the School Transport Policy. Where
there are exceptional family circumstances, it may be possible to
appeal against the refusal of transport. For full details,
please see our Appeals Procedure (MS
Word, 69KB), or you can discuss your circumstances with a
member of the eligibility team, call us on 0300 123
5012.
Who can I contact if there are problems with the school bus
service, or if I have a complaint?
Cheshire East Transport is committed to providing a high
level of service. However, there may be times when your child
is experiencing problems with the bus or rail service on which they
travel. In the event of a problem arising or if you have any
concerns, you can report them to us by emailing schooltransportenquiries@cheshireeast.gov.uk
or by calling us on 0300 123 5012. We will then investigate the
problem and take appropriate action.
If you have a complaint or are dissatisfied in the way you have
been treated by a member of staff, please write directly to:
Head of Service
Cheshire East Transport
Floor 6 Delamere House
Delamere Street
Crewe
CW1 2LL
Any complaints will be investigated and a response will be sent
to you within 10 working days.
Contact Details
For all school transport enquiries, you can contact us as
at:
Cheshire East Transport
Floor 6 Delamere House
Delamere Street
Crewe
Cheshire
CW1 2LL
Telephone: 0300 123 5012
Email: schooltransportenquiries@cheshireeast.gov.uk
