Paid for seat scheme

Previously known as spare seats.

We can offer paid for seats on educational travel routes with spare capacity (after pupils eligible for free school travel have been allocated) and where there are no other public transport services on which your child could pay a fare.

There is no obligation for the Council to arrange travel for pupils who are not entitled under the Home to School Transport Policy. 

Applying for a paid for seat

You can ask us to consider your child for a paid for seat if your application for transport has been refused or your child is Post 16 (in sixth form). 

You can tick the box on the initial application form (recommended) or email your details to us at:schooltransport@transportservicesolutions.co.uk or phone on 0300 123 5012. We will then add your child to the waiting list and if there are seats available on the route, we will write to you to request payment.

Allocating paid for seats

Paid for seats are prioritised into 3 categories:

• Category 1 is reserved for pupils allocated a spare seat in the previous academic year (this category is given first priority).
• Category 2 is for Cheshire East resident pupils who are applying for a spare seat for the first time.
• Category 3 is for non-Cheshire East resident pupils (this category is given a lower priority).

Where applications have been submitted in good time, we will aim to allocate spare seats by the start of term. Seats are offered on the basis that they can be withdrawn during the academic year if needed by eligible pupils. All routes will be reviewed regularly and where necessary any withdrawal of a spare seat will take place at the next nearest half term or end of term break.

Paying for a paid for seat

Seat charges are reviewed annually. For 2019/20, the charge for a seat is £460.

Charges are per pupil per year. Payment can be made annually, termly or half-termly. Reminder emails or letters will be sent to you when each payment is due. You can pay online at School Transport Payments.

Pupils will only be permitted to travel if they can show a valid bus pass.