School transport

Primary schools

We provide school transport for primary school pupils who live one mile or more from their catchment primary school by the shortest safe walking route.

This may mean being given a bus pass for use on local bus services, contract buses hired for the service, small vehicles (including taxis, private hire cars or minibuses) or the council's own transport where appropriate.

Primary school pupils may also be entitled to free transport:

• if they have been recommended for school transport by their doctor and the school medical officer for health reasons
• if they attend a specialist school or centre recommended by the council
• if they have to walk a route which is considered unsafe in relation to the West of Scotland Road Safety Forum guidelines.

Secondary schools

We provide school transport for secondary school pupils who live two miles or more away from the catchment secondary school by the shortest safe walking route.

Secondary school pupils may also be entitled to free transport:

• if they live two miles or more from their catchment secondary school by the shortest safe walking route. 
• if they have been recommended for school transport by their doctor and the school medical officer for health reasons
• if they attend a specialist school or centre recommended by the council
• if they have to walk a route which is considered unsafe in relation to the West of Scotland Road Safety Forum guidelines.

Please note

• Transport is provided to the nearest reasonable pick-up / drop-off point.
• It is your responsibility to make sure your child behaves in a safe and acceptable manner while travelling and getting on and off the vehicle.
• School transport covers one return trip to school. The service does not provide for trips home at lunch time.
• If your child attends school on a placing request or you have completed a Request to Remain Form, school transport is not provided.

How we calculate walking distance from home to school

The calculation on the measurement of distance from home to school is measured using a Geographical Information System (GIS), which is used for all measurements to ensure that we apply council policy consistently across the authority.

Our GIS is operated using Ordnance Survey digital mapping products. The Ordnance Survey is the UK’s national mapping agency, complies with all nationally adopted mapping standards and covers the whole of Great Britain.

For information on safe walking routes for your child's school, please email school_transport@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.

When to apply

You should apply for school transport:

• When you register your child for primary school in January or as soon as possible after this date
• In February before your child transfers to secondary school in August or as soon as possible after this date

Please note there is no requirement to apply each year for transport unless you move address. In these circumstances, you must reapply from your new home address.

How to apply

Application forms are also available by email from school_transport@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

If your child does not qualify for school transport, you may be able to apply for privilege transport.

You should apply for school transport:

• When you register your child for primary school in January or as soon as possible after this date
• In February before your child transfers to secondary school in August or as soon as possible after this date

Please note there is no requirement to apply each year for transport unless you move address. In these circumstances, you must reapply from your new home address