Transport

For information about school transport for pupils with special educational needs and information for applying for a concessionary travel pass please see below. Last updated: 20/04/2020

The council has specific eligibility criteria for qualifying for home to school and further education college/sixthform transport. Please familiarise yourself with the relevant policy before applying.

For specific information about transport entitlement to special schools for a child with special educational needs please read the Home to School Transport Policy. In additon, you can click here to find the Post-16 Transport Policy.

We have recently produced a new handbook providing information on the school transport service for parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Click here to see our SEND transport information handbook for parents and carers.

You can also contact the school transport team here.

Below are online application forms for you to complete if you think your child is eligible for free school transport.

Please choose the correct form and also ensure you have read and understood the relevant school transport policy and, in particular, the eligibility criteria before considering submitting an application.

Apply for pre-16 school transport: please fill out this form if your child is attending a mainstream school.

Apply for post-16 transport: please fill out this form if your child is attending a high school sixth form or a further education college.

Apply for pre-16 SEND transport: please fill in this form if your child has an EHCP and is attending either a special school or a mainstream school.

Apply for post-16 SEND transport: please fill in this form if your child has an EHCP and is attending a further education college.

Northumberland County Council participates in the government’s English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS). This scheme entitles passholders who are residents in England to free off-peak travel on local bus services throughout the country. Once you have your pass, the scheme is free and easy to use.

If you are a bus operator in Northumberland who participates in the ENCTS, please click here to see the statutory notice.

Please click here to view the concessionary travel privacy notice.

Eligibility

You will be eligible for a concessionary travel pass if:

• You have a disability:
  • You need to meet the criteria shown on the guidance notes for a disabled person’s pass. 
  • Please click here for the disabled person's bus pass application form and guidance notes
• You are an eligible older person:
  • You were born before 6 April 1950.
  • If you are a woman born after 5 April 1950, you become eligible when you reach state pension age.
  • If you are a man born after 5 April 1950, you become eligible when you reach the pensionable age of a woman.
  • Please click here to check whether you are an eligible older person. Alternatively, you can call 0800 731 7898.
  • Please click here for the older person's bus pass application form and guidance notes.
• You are unable to travel alone:
  • If you are unable to travel alone and can meet other criteria, you can apply for a companion pass.
  • Companion passes enable a friend, relation, or carer to travel with you.
  • For this, you will need certification to show that you are unable to travel alone.
  • Please click here for the companion bus pass application form and guidance notes.

Application process

If you’d like to apply for a new pass, you can apply:

Via email:
Please email the completed form to concessionarytravel@northumberland.gov.uk 

By post:
Concessionary Travel
Northumberland County Council
Wansbeck Square
Ashington
NE63 9XL

In person:
You can apply in person at one of the council’s customer service centres. Customers are able to have their photograph taken for free at these centres as part of the application process.

Please click here for more information about our customer service centres

You can call our customer service team on 0345 600 6400 for more information. Your call is charged at your local rate.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are nearly at the age where you become eligible for an older person’s pass, you can apply in advance. Please do not apply more than a month in advance. We will keep your application on file as we cannot issue a pass until you become eligible.

Take note of the following points:

• Receipt of your application does not mean we will issue you with a pass. If your application is incomplete or unclear, we will have to contact you. This will result in your application being delayed.
• We aim to send out passes within 15 working days of receiving a valid application. This allows us time to check your eligibility, and that your application is properly completed. Your application will therefore have all of the necessary supporting evidence, and there will be nothing we need to query.