Last updated:
12th March 2025
Fare payer and post-16 support
Post 16s
If you are applying for the academic year beginning September 2024, read our Post-16 Transport Policy Statement 2024 to 2025 (PDF.)
Spare Seats on Council School Transport
Our school transport service is designed primarily for children who qualify for free home-to-school travel assistance under the Council’s Home to School Transport (HTST) Policy. However, on some larger bus routes, we may have a limited number of spare seats available for pupils who do not meet the eligibility criteria.
These spare seats are offered at the Council’s discretion and are subject to availability. They are not intended to accommodate all non-eligible pupils, and availability can change from year to year.
Updated Policy for Spare Seats
The Council has recently reviewed its policy on how spare seats are allocated on school buses. The updated policy will be available soon and will outline a fair and transparent process for allocating seats based on priority need, rather than a first-come, first-served basis.
Our goal is to ensure that spare seats are allocated fairly, in line with the Council’s Home to School Transport (HTST) Policy.
Who can apply?
If spare seats are available, applications will be assessed based on a set of prioritisation criteria rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. The full eligibility criteria will be detailed in the updated policy once it is published.
Application Process – no need to rush
Parents and guardians do not need to submit their application as soon as the process opens. Spare seats on school buses are not allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, all applications received during the application window will be considered equally, based on our prioritisation criteria.
The application window will remain open for several weeks, so as long as you submit your application within this period, it will be given full and fair consideration. Please take your time to complete the form accurately before the deadline.
Cost of a Spare Seat
- For the 2025 / 2026 academic year, the cost for a spare seat on Council school transport has been set at £1,026.
- If a pass is lost, a replacement can be requested for a £24 fee.
More details on how to apply will be available once the updated policy is published.
Replacement Bus Passes
If your child has lost their bus pass on a council-run school bus route, please order a new one via our online payment portal. Please send the receipt number to CTU.Group@wokingham.gov.uk and request a new bus pass to be sent to your home address.
