School and college travel information for families

Latest update – 13 November 2024

All school and college travel arrangements should now be in place. If you have not yet claimed for your interim travel arrangements, please complete the travel claim form.

If you have any questions on how to claim or if you can claim a Personal Travel Budget, please contact us at: travel.coordination@southampton.gov.uk.

New transport routes

The School Travel Service (STS) has undergone some changes over the last few months as we try to manage an increase in children/young people needing school travel support and higher costs. This started in summer 2024 and will continue until autumn 2025.

When planning, we consider the special needs of the children and where they live, as well as where the passenger assistants live. This might mean some routes will change, affecting some children and passenger assistants. We know these changes will take time to get used to and we thank you for your patience.

How will your child get to school?

When choosing a school place, it is important to think about how your child, student or adult learner will travel to and from school each day. Most families organise their own home to school journey, like walking, cycling, using public transport or lift-sharing with other families.

However, we have a duty to support children, students or adult learners with their school journey, providing they meet specific criteria for this support.

School Travel Applications for September 2025

Please ensure that your school travel application is on time and submit it by these dates.

Applications received after these dates will be treated as late applications. This means that travel may not be in place for the start of the school year.

Type Application Deadline
Mainstream Primary and Secondary schools 31 May 2025
Students with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), including Exceptional Circumstances Applications for September 2025 31 May 2025
Post 16 (only Students with SEND) 31 May 2025

Guidance and helpful reminders

View our guide to the School Travel Service for parent carers, co-produced with the Parent Carer Forum.

Remember: Assessment for travel assistance will be determined once a school place has been allocated by Southampton City Council at a suitable school. Means tested applicants and those applying under exceptional circumstances need to apply before the start of each new school year.

Change your contact details

You can use the following form to let us know about changes to your contact details:

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Unavailable due to essential website maintenance 

Due to essential maintenance work, our online forms and some other online systems will be unavailable between 10am and 2.30pm on Sunday 24 November 2024. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

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Further information about the School Travel Service

Who is eligible for the School Travel Service? SHOW


Children attending a mainstream school SHOW


Students and adult learners between 16–25 years old SHOW


Children or students with an Education, Health and Care Plan SHOW


If you do not qualify or meet the requirements you may wish to view the alternative options.

Policy and eligibility criteria

For more information you can read our School Travel Service Policy and Eligibility Criteria:

Document Type Size
School Travel Service eligibility criteriapdf120.5 KB
School Travel Service and Post-16 Travel Service Policy 2024-2025pdf640.3 KB

Contact us

If your child or young person is eligible for mainstream home to school transport find out how to apply. You can also read our frequently asked questions.

Children and young people with disabilities or special educational needs

If your child or young person has a disability or special educational needs, you can view the eligibility criteria to find out if you are eligible for the School Travel Service.

To discuss eligibility further, you can contact us by:

Co-ordinating travel arrangements

If you require assistance regarding co-ordination of travel arrangements for the School Travel Service, please contact us by:

Help with other issues

If you are experiencing issues with the School Travel Service, please call our dedicated helpline on 023 8083 2419.

Suppliers wishing to work with us can find out more on Information for School Travel Service suppliers.

Further information