It is every parent/carer’s duty to ensure their children attend the school at which they are registered.
All parents/carers are responsible for making the travel arrangements to get their children to school; this could include walking, cycling, car sharing or using public transport.
Suffolk County Council (SCC) is able to provide funded school travel to children who live in Suffolk if they meet the criteria that is set out in the School Travel Policy
To be eligible for SCC funded school travel a child must meet the following criteria:
- They live in Suffolk
- They are attending their nearest school and the distance* to this school is over:
- two miles for children under eight (Reception Year – Year 3)
- three miles for children aged eight and over (Year 4 – Year 11)
*This distance is measured by the shortest available walking route, which includes applicable public rights of way, using Specialist Mapping Software. This distance will be different to those generated by other distance calculators such as Google Maps or Bing map. You are able to check the distance to your nearest school here:
SCC may also be able to offer travel assistance if:
- your child is attending their nearest school but cannot walk in reasonable safety to this school, accompanied as necessary
- you are on a low income, and your child receives free school meals: click here for further information.
- your child has Special Educational Needs (SEND)
If you do not live in Suffolk, you are not able to apply for SCC funded school travel. You can find out which local council to contact by entering your postcode on the following here:
How to opt-in (apply) for mainstream school travel
New students
If your child is starting Primary or Secondary school in September 2026 and is eligible for SCC funded school travel, you will receive an email from Suffolk County Council to confirm this by the following dates:
- Before 2 April 2026 (for Secondary school students)
- Before 8 May 2026 (for Primary school students)
To complete your opt-in application, please click on the following:
You will need to opt-in by 31 May 2026; applications received after this date may delay your child from receiving their school travel pass for the start of term.
If you wish to opt-in for the current academic year (2025/26), please click on the above Opt-in button.
Current students – renewing mainstream school travel
If your child attends a mainstream school and already has SCC funded school travel, you must renew their transport every year, even if you return to the same school in September 2026.
Renewal applications can be made from 2 March 2026; any applications made prior to this date will be rejected.
To complete your renewal application, please click on the following:
By renewing your child’s transport each year, we can keep their details up to date and plan our transport services efficiently.
Please complete your renewal application by 31 May 2026; applications received after this date may delay your child from receiving their school travel pass for the start of term.
If you are unsure if you need to opt-in (apply) please contact Customer Services at customer.services@suffolk.gov.uk or call 0345 606 6173. Please ensure you provide your child’s full name, date of birth, postcode and their student ID number if you know this.
Split-families
If your child lives between two registered home addresses, you will need to complete separate opt-in applications from each address. Each application will be assessed independently, and we will confirm eligibility for SCC funded school travel from each separate address.
Please note that if your child is eligible for SCC funded school travel from one address, this does not mean that they will automatically be eligible for SCC funded school travel from the second address.
Alternate Addresses
Transport will not be provided to any alternative locations including grandparents’ homes, childminders, after-school clubs, or other childcare settings. Evidence will be required where a student’s address differs from their registered permanent home address.
Moving house or changing schools
If you have moved to a new address or your child has changed schools, you will need to complete a new opt-in application for them so we can reassess their eligibility for SCC funded school travel. We are not able to transfer SCC funded school travel from an old address or different school. Please click on the Opt-in button to make your new application.
In-year applications
If your child starts a new school during the academic year, you can still opt-in (apply) for SCC funded school travel. We will assess their application and advise you if the are entitled to SCC funded school travel. Please click on the Opt-in button to make your application.
What do I do if my child no longer needs SCC funded school travel?
If your child no longer needs SCC funded school travel, please could you let us know as soon as possible by completing the following form:
If my child is eligible for SCC funded school travel, what will they be provided with?
Your child will be provided with travel assistance to school on either:
- A suitable public transport route
- A dedicated school travel service
SCC funded school travel is only provided at the registered start and end of the school day.
We are unable to provide SCC funded school travel at different times to accommodate breakfast or afterschool clubs or for extracurricular activities and school trips.
All children will need to have a valid school travel pass to travel on their allocated school travel route.
Further information on how to complete a school travel pass application can be found here.
Your child will be expected to adhere to the SCC Code of Conduct when travelling on SCC funded school travel.
If my child is not eligible for SCC funded school travel, what are my options?
Public transport options
Please check the Journey Planner for more information on available public transport routes
Schools own transport
Some schools operate their own transport options. Please ask your child’s school if this is a service they offer.
Spare seats
It may be possible for parents/carers of children who are not eligible for SCC funded school travel to buy a spare seat on a dedicated school travel service.
However, we cannot guarantee that a spare seat will be available or continue to be available as this will depend on the number of seats needed for children who are eligible for SCC funded school travel. We would therefore advise parents/carers to consider other travel options first before applying for a spare seat.