Young persons' free bus travel scheme
With the introduction of free bus travel for young people aged 5 to 21 from 31 January 2022, please note that we are still providing the subsidised transport scheme.
All invoices for school transport (including transport for older siblings) up to and including June 2023 should be pain in full before new term bus passes are issued.
By retaining our dedicated subsidised service we are continuing to offer parents a choice in the matter, as well as providing peace of mind. Our subsidised provision guarantees young people a seat on dedicated transport and ensures they get to and from school at the relevant times.
However, if you wish to cancel your subscription for this service you must return your photo ID pass to the school reception and they, in turn, will inform the School Transport Section who will arrange cancellation of the account from the date of return of the pass.
Please note: Returning the subsidised pass will mean that your child is no longer able to access the dedicated school transport service and will require to use the local public service with their National Entitlement Card.
Application notes for parent and carers
You do not require to submit a new application if your child received free school transport for school term 2024-2025 due to:
- staying more than one and half miles from primary school
- staying more than three miles from secondary school
- safety reasons, there being no suitable walking route
Your child will remain registered for free transport until the end of their P7 year or S6 year.
New applications
You should submit a new application for:
- new P1 pupils who require transport for 2025-2026
- new S1 pupils who require transport for 2025-2026
Applications for subsidised school transport (for pupils who stay between one and a half and three miles from their catchment secondary school) are required to be completed on an annual basis.
Apply online
If your child requires transport to school from August 2024, you can apply online using the form below.
Please note that before applying you will need to register for an Our East Ayrshire account, if you do not already have one.
Apply for school transport
Free school transport
We will provide free transport for:
- primary pupils who live one and a half miles or more from their local primary school (by the recognised shortest suitable walking distance)
- secondary pupils who live three miles or more from their local secondary school (by the recognised shortest suitable walking distance)
This policy remains more generous than that prescribed by statute and may be reviewed at any time.
Free transport may also be available on the grounds of a medical condition or in cases where a family has moved house at a critical stage of education.
If you feel your child qualifies for free school travel and you wish to take advantage of this option, please fill in the school transport online application form.
Subsidised transport service
Following the decision taken at Cabinet on 9 October 2024, the non-statutory subsidised school transport service will be withdrawn at the end of term on 27 June 2025 due to it no longer being sustainable.
There will be no subsidised service from August 2025.
For further information on active travel routes in the affected areas please visit Non-statutory subsidised school transport.
Privileged seat availability
Privileged seats may be available if there is spare capacity on existing school transport contracts.
If you feel your child qualifies for a privileged seat and you wish to take advantage of this option, please fill in the school transport online application form. This is a chargeable service and requires an annual application to be made to allow an invoice to be produced.