Home to school travel assistance

Parents should note that travel on buses is free for children up to and including the age of 17. In light of this, travel passes will not normally be issued to children of school age.

Children who look under the age of 14 can travel free on buses without a photocard. Children who are 14,15,16, or 17 years of age, or who look it, need a 14/15 or 16/17 Oyster photocard. Applications are available at the Post Office or from the Transport for London Helpline, 0845 330 9876. For more information, visit www.tfl.gov.uk

Information on travel assistance for pupils with special needs.

Travel passes

The Council will issue a travel pass for children:

• Under 8 years of age where the journey between home and school is 1½ miles or more
• Between 8 and 11 years of age at primary school where the journey between home and school is 2 miles or more
• At secondary school between the ages of 11 and school leaving age where the journey between home and school is 3 miles
• And a place cannot be offered at a nearer school.
  

 

The council may also consider giving travel assistance to a child in the following cases:

• If a parent wishes their child to go to a church school
• In exceptional circumstances.

All applications for travel passes will be considered and you have the right of appeal if your application is refused. To apply, please download the full version of the travel policy and the application form (pdf 24k).

16-19 transport support

Although Transport for London provides free bus travel for full-time students up to the age of 17, Tower Hamlets Council has a small home to school/college transport scheme to help fund further education students aged 16 to 19 or 16 to 21 where the student has special educational needs.

The scheme is aimed at 6th formers because colleges have Learner Support Funds from which they can provide transport support. However, applicants for both college and sixth form can apply.

Support is not normally given to students receiving an EMA or where parental income is more than £30,000 per year. However, more generous rules apply to students with special needs.

Download an application for help with school/college transport (pdf 50k)

Advice on travel support for young students in further education

The following document has been compiled to give advice on travel issues to students over 16 taking courses up to AS level standard, for example Foundation Art, BTEC National Diploma. 

The majority of the information is aimed at people in the 16 to 19 age group, but some support extends beyond the age of 19. 

Download travel support for further education (pdf 61k)

Further information

For any further information, please contact the Pupil Services section:

Tower Hamlets Pupil Services
2nd Floor, Town Hall
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG

Tel: 020 7364 5006
E-mail: pupil.services@towerhamlets.gov.uk

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