Eligibility for a Zero Fare Bus Pass / Train Pass / Cycle Allowance for School Pupils

The following groups of pupils are eligible for a zero fare bus pass / train pass or cycle allowance:

Group 1

Pupils whose nearest qualifying school is outside ‘walking distance’. ‘Walking distance’ is more than:

• Two miles for children of school age but under the age of 8:
• Three miles for children or young people aged 8 - 16.

Group 2

Pupils of low income families travelling to:

• One of the nearest 3 qualifying schools where they live more than 2 miles but less than 6 miles form that school:
• The nearest school preferred by reason of a parent’s faith or belief, where the school is more than 2 miles but less than 15 miles from the child’s home.

Group 3

Pupils attending their:

1. Designated Tameside Roman Catholic high school and who have attended a Catholic primary school associated with the high school as set out in the ‘Moving On’ booklet

or

2. Their nearest denominational school (not Roman Catholic) providing that they are aged 11 – 16

and in both cases are travelling over three miles to school.

Group 4

Pupils who move into Tameside from another area, are in Years 10 or 11, want to stay at their current school and will have to travel more than 3 miles to that school

Notes

Low income is defined as pupils who are eligible for a school clothing grant.

The distance between home and school is measured by the nearest available walking route

The law defines a qualifying school as a school which is suitable for the child, taking into account their faith or belief (or the faith or belief of their parents) and that has places available.

A cycle allowance of £30 per year is payable instead of a bus pass if requested.

It should be noted that when a dispute occurs between a parent / guardian and the Council, the distance between home and school is measured by an officer of the Council.

How do I apply for a travel pass?

There are now 3 easy ways to apply for a travel pass:

• complete the on-line application form
• telephone the council's call centre on 0161 342 8355
• in person at one of the council's Customer Services Offices

If you live in Tameside and are unsure whether your child will be eligible for a free bus pass, please check with the School Admissions Section:

Contact Information
Send us a Message	School Admissions Section Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne OL6 6DL  View local map
0161 342 4068 / 3214 / 2286
0161 342 4067