Free school transport: two miles, three miles, and the line low-income families miss

The school bus in Britain is not a favour from the council but a duty. It is triggered by a formula rather than a request: the child's age, the distance to school, and which school counts as the nearest suitable one.

The main rule: miles and age

A child of compulsory school age qualifies for free transport if they attend their nearest suitable school and at least one of the following applies:

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• the school is more than 2 miles away and the child is under 8;
• the school is more than 3 miles away and the child is 8 or over;
• there is no safe walking route between home and school;
• the child cannot walk because of special educational needs, a disability or a mobility problem.

The decisive phrase is "nearest suitable". If a family chose a school further away because it was better, the entitlement usually falls away.

The line for low-income families

This is the part most often missed. A child may also qualify on a separate basis — eligibility for free school meals. From the 2026 to 2027 academic year, a child stays eligible if their parent receives Universal Credit and the household income is £7,400 a year or less (after tax, excluding benefits).

One of these must also apply:

• the child is 8 to 11, attends their nearest school, and it is at least 2 miles away;
• the child is 11 to 16 and the school is 2 to 6 miles away and one of their 3 nearest suitable schools;
• the child is 11 to 16 and the school is 2 to 15 miles away and was chosen because of the family's religion or belief.

The difference from the main rule matters: two miles instead of three, a choice of three schools instead of one, and a separate allowance for a faith school. For a family on a low income that is often the difference between paying fares and a free seat on the bus.

Children with SEND

Where a child cannot walk to school because of special educational needs, a disability or a mobility problem, transport is available regardless of distance. GOV.UK sets out the detail on a separate page; the application goes through the council.

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Age 16 and over

For those still in education after sixteen there is no single national entitlement: GOV.UK advises asking the local council about help with transport. Councils differ.

How to apply

The application goes to the local council, not the school. GOV.UK suggests checking eligibility for free school meals first, since the second route above depends on it.

If the council refuses, the appeal route is set by each council: the general GOV.UK page does not cover it, so ask the council directly.