School transport

Page updated on: 30/09/2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

All pupils aged 11 or over will be required to wear face coverings on school transport unless they have a medical exemption. Coverings are required for the whole of their journey to and from school.

We are asking parents to please remind their children to wash their hands before and after travelling.

Buses will be boarded one at a time keeping a safe distance between passengers, and the vacant seat at the rear of the bus must be used first. When disembarking, again pupils must do this one at a time keeping 2 metres apart, starting with the most forward seats first, working back in turn to the rear seats (so that pupils walking down the aisle do not pass any other seated pupils). These rules apply for both inbound and outbound journeys

Remember pupils should NOT travel if they are feeling unwell, particularly if they have symptoms of COVID-19, or they live in a household with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive to COVID-19 in the past 14 days. If any pupils become ill while at school, their parents will be contacted to take them home.

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Your children may be able to get free transport to school, depending on how far they live from the school and any additional needs they may have.

To qualify for free school transport you must:

be at least 5 years old
be resident of Carmarthenshire
go to their nearest or designated school
live at least 2 miles from the school if they’re in primary school
live at least 3 miles from the school if they’re in secondary school

You are advised to email learnertravel@carmarthenshire.gov.uk before you decide which school to send your children in order to establish eligibility for free school transport.

Under certain circumstances transport may also be provided for pupils who do not normally qualify under the general policy based on:

Road safety
Medical condition
Learners with learning difficulties/disabilities
Change of residence in GCSE years
Religious beliefs

Parents who have submitted an application for free transport and have been refused, will be notified of the review process as part of the written notice of refusal.

Pupils are being encouraged to make their own way to school, and to safely walk, cycle or scoot to school where possible.

It is the responsibility of parents to arrange a suitable way for pupils to get to school when they do not qualify for free transport.

Please read our home to school transport policy carefully before starting your application.

Apply for school transport