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Schools, early years and childcare

up arrow : go up one level Useful information for parentsdown arrow : go down one level Half price bus fare scheme  | down arrow : go down one level Transport to the nearest appropriate school  | down arrow : go down one level Home to school transport policy  | down arrow : go down one level Transport to church schools  | down arrow : go down one level Vacant Seats Payment Scheme (VSPS)  | down arrow : go down one level Applying for school transport | more »
Getting to school

Medway Council, as the Local Authority (LA), offers transport to eligible pupils up to the age of 19 years. Please read the information about applying before contacting the School Transport Team for an application form.

Primary school transport

Most primary school children live within walking distance of their school. Some, however, have to travel further and may be entitled to free transport in the form of a season ticket for public transport or a seat on a vehicle hired by Medway Council. Travel assistance is offered for children under the age of eight years if they live more than two miles from the school which the LA calls the nearest appropriate school. For children aged eight and over the distance is three miles. Distances are measured by the shortest available walking route. The council's Transport and Benefits Team can give parents further advice if necessary.

Secondary school transport

If you live more than three miles away from the secondary school which Medway Council calls the nearest appropriate school, you can claim free transport. Distances are measured by the shortest available walking route between home and school which will include footpaths, where applicable. Free transport usually means the child will be given a season ticket for public transport.

Transport for students aged 16-18 years

Students aged 16-18 years or who turn 19 during their first course, may be eligible for travel assistance if:

  • they live more than three miles from the nearest appropriate school or college;
  • are undertaking their first full time non-advanced course;
  • are under 19 years old at the start of the course.

Vacant Seats Payment Scheme (VSPS)

Children who do not qualify for free travel can sometimes be offered a seat under the Vacant Seats Payment Scheme (VSPS). Under this scheme, any unfilled seats on vehicles hired by the council to take entitled children to school can be offered to pupils who are not eligible for free travel. There is a charge, currently £136 per term, which must be paid before a ticket is issued. Please note that travel under the VSPS is not available on public bus or train services.

For further information contact:
email icon Email : childrens.services@medway.gov.uk
Telephone icon Telephone : 01634 331155
Mail icon Write to :

Medway Council
Gun Wharf
Dock Road
Chatham
ME4 4TR

Minicom icon Minicom :

01634 333111


Related A-Z index
School bus services | Home to school transport policy | Pupils of statutory school age | Discretionary transport arrangements | Vacant seats payment scheme (VSPS) | Appeals | Special educational needs home to school transport arrangements | Early years transport arrangements | Arrangements for pupils with life threatening conditions | Half price bus fare scheme | Safer Journeys | Transport to church schools | School travel plans | Transport for students aged 16+ | Applying for school transport | Vacant Seats Payment Scheme (VSPS) | Special educational needs transport | Transport to the nearest appropriate school

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