Free school transport is always available to every child and young person in East Ayrshire if they live:
- more than one and a half miles from their primary school or specialist provision
- three miles from their secondary school or specialist provision
Alternative school transport differs from free school transport in that it provides children and young people who, because of their assessed needs or other exceptional circumstances, require specialised transport arrangements to enable them to access education.
A new policy has been agreed by the Council to ensure that young people across the authority with additional support needs, can access the most appropriate form of transport, be this mainstream or specialised.
Alternative school transport policy
Alternative School Transport Policy (PDF 239 KB)
If you require a copy of the Alternative School Transport application form please email ASNAdmin@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
Facts about current arrangements and the new process:
- Current arrangements for all alternative transport remain in place until the end of this school session in June 2025.
- Financial and human resources need to be allocated effectively and efficiently. The new policy aims to ensure the sustainability of transport for those young people for whom alternative provision is essential.
- The policy is not about removal of transport in all cases. Where the child lives outside statutory walking distance and an application is approved, we will continue to provide transport, but this need not, in all cases, be a home to school taxi.
- A new online Alternative School Transport application system is under development and will be live in the new school session in August 2025.
Frequently asked questions about alternative school transport
1. My child currently uses alternative transport – how will this new policy affect me?
There will be no change in arrangements for this current school year (up until summer break 2025).
For session 2025–2026, you should make an application for alternative transport. You will be given notice of the deadline for submission and forms will be available from your school or centre from 1 April 2025. Guidance on how to apply will be detailed on the application form.
Your application will then be reviewed by a Transport Review Panel and a decision on whether your application for alternative transport has been granted will be communicated to you in writing within 28 working days.
2. My child is starting P1 in August 2025, how will this new policy affect me?
If your child has been assessed with an additional support need and meets the criteria of the new policy, you should make an application for alternative transport and will be given notice of the deadline for submission.
Forms will be available from the school or centre your child will be attending from 1 April 2025, and guidance on submission will be detailed on the application form.
The application will be reviewed by a Transport Review Panel and a decision on whether your application for alternative transport has been granted will be communicated to you in writing within 28 working days.
3. My child is starting S1 in August 2025, how will this new policy affect me?
If your child has been assessed with an additional support need and meets the criteria of the new policy, you should make an application for alternative transport and will be given notice of the deadline for submission.
Forms will be available from your current primary school or centre from 1 April 2025, and guidance on submission will be detailed on the application form.
The application will be reviewed by a Transport Review Panel and a decision on whether your application for alternative transport has been granted will be communicated to you in writing within 28 working days.
4. How often do I need to apply for alternative school transport?
Applications need to be submitted annually and a new online application system will become available to parents and carers during school session 2025–2026.
The online system will ask you to provide information to support the application. Further guidance will be issued when the system goes live.
Should you require help completing an application, details on how to access support will be provided.
5. My child has a long-term additional support need and has been assessed as requiring alternative transport – how will this new policy affect me?
If your child has been assessed as having an additional support need that requires alternative school transport for the duration of their time at school or centre, there will be no requirement to re-apply annually.
The school or centre will inform the Transport Review Panel of this exception and transport will be continued accordingly.
6. If my application is unsuccessful, how do I ask for this decision to be reviewed?
A request to reconsider the decision made regarding your child's transport must be made in writing within 10 days of receipt of the refusal letter.
This should be made to the Transport Review Panel based at London Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 7BU. Any additional evidence to be considered for the review should be included in your request.
Once considered by the Transport Review Panel, written notification of the outcome will be provided within 10 working days of receipt.