Purchasing a spare seat on a school transport bus

If the number of pupils entitled to free school transport is fewer than the capacity of the vehicle, the spare seats are made available for purchase by pupils who do not qualify for free school transport.

We have a duty to provide free transport to pupils who are eligible. Where pupils do not qualify for free transport then they can apply to purchase a spare seat on a school bus. These spare seats are made available to pupils living within the school catchment area on a first-come first-served basis. They will only be offered to pupils living outside the catchment if available. The buses cannot be diverted or extended to accommodate seat purchasers and we are unable to increase the size of the vehicle.

If the number of pupils entitled to free school transport is fewer than the capacity of the vehicle, the spare seats are made available for purchase by pupils who do not qualify for free school transport.

If the number of pupils entitled to free transport increases at any time then pupils who have paid to use a spare seat may have to give up their place and a refund will be given on surrender of their pass.

Applications can be made throughout the year, though there is a fixed fee.  Following the allocation of free places, any spare seats will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

Important information 

Most of our school contracts are operated by coaches and midi coaches with more than 22 passenger seats.  The Department of Transport advised us that from 1 January 2020, if seats are sold on school transport services and vehicles that have more than 22 passenger seats, the vehicles must be fitted with a number of additional features to assist accessibility, including a wheelchair lift.  The Department of Transport temporarily extended the deadline, but we had now had to conclude that it is no longer possible to sell spare seats on school transport services operated by vehicles with more than 22 passenger seats.

Available Services

For the 2023 / 2024 Academic Year, it is only be possible to sell spare seats on the following services, subject to availability.

Route 600 - Bishop Vaughan RC comprehensive school is now full