Frequently asked questions about travel assistance for ages 16 to 25

When do you need to apply for travel assistance?

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and a placement is confirmed in Section I, you can apply for travel assistance.

• If you apply before 31 July and are eligible, travel arrangements will be in place at least 7 days before the start of term in September.
• If you apply after 31 July and are eligible, travel arrangements will not be in place for the start of term. You are advised to make their own arrangements during the wait for transport to be sourced. If we have assigned a private hire vehicle, an interim travel allowance will be offered until transport is in place.

For in-year applications, please apply online as soon as possible to enable the team to process the application and, if eligible, make transport arrangements.

If your child changes schools at any time, you will need to make a new application for travel assistance in order for the team to reassess eligibility.

Please see our Key Stage Transfer dates for 2024.

What do you need to provide if your child has medical and/or health needs?

If your child has a medical or health need that may require specialist transport provision, it is important that you submit all relevant documentation (for example a Care Plan). Failure to do this may result in the application being refused.

You will be prompted to complete our online medical questionnaire by a member of the Surrey School Travel and Assessment Team if you have highlighted a specific medical need in your application.

How does assessment for post-16 travel differ from under 16 travel?

Local authorities do not have to provide free or subsidised post-16 travel support, but do have a duty to review, prepare and publish an annual transport policy by 31 May each year. Please see our Travel Assistance Policy for learners aged 16 to 25.

How long will your application take to be assessed?

We will assess your application within 20 working days, you will then receive an automated email with the outcome.

What things do you consider when reviewing post-16 applications?

Some of the things we consider include the following:

• if a family is in receipt of the 16 to 19 school/college bursary,
• if there is a public transport route with a journey time of approx. 75 minutes one way,
• whether there is a nearer college/education setting that provides a similar course of study,
• whether the level of additional needs combined with other circumstances are exceptional enough where discretionary travel should be given.

For a more detailed overview of what we consider, please see our Travel Assistance Policy for learners aged 16 to 25.

What if your child is aged 19 and over?

The overall intention of the adult transport duty is to ensure that those with the most severe disabilities with no other means of travel can undertake further education and training after their 19th birthday to help them move towards more independent living.

For students aged between 19 to 25, we would also consider whether there is a 'Motability' vehicle for which the student may or may not be the driver and whether or not the young person has access to a package of support from Social Care.

What is an Independent Travel Allowance?

An Independent Travel Allowance (ITA) is a monthly payment offered to families who would like to make their own flexible travel arrangements, such as driving their child to school, or sourcing transport for their child.

This gives families the freedom to choose their own transport arrangements, which may fit better around their personal needs.

How is ITA calculated?

ITA is calculated using the shortest road route between your home and the school, the mileage rate is dictated by HMRC.

The amount offered to families is to be used as a contribution towards the cost of transport. This is calculated the same way for all families meeting the same criteria to be fair and consistent with the allocation of public funds.

When can you expect to receive the ITA?

Payments will be processed in 11 instalments, with the first payment reaching families at the end of September.

The date in which payments are received may vary slightly throughout the year as these are processed manually, however payments will reach families by the end of each month.

What is the post-16 contribution?

Local Authorities are able to charge a contribution payment towards the cost of discretionary transport when we assign a child (aged 16 to 19) a private hire vehicle (taxi or minibus).

Please note that if we agree eligibility for a student aged 19 plus, they or their family are not liable for the contribution charge.

How much is the contribution?

Please see our current 2024 to 2025 contribution rates on our service updates page.

What if you are suffering from financial hardship and would struggle to pay?

You are able to appeal for the contribution to be delayed or waived by contacting parent.travel@surreycc.gov.uk

Please provide evidence of hardship, such as bank statements, or a description of your current circumstances.

The team will review your request and provide a response as soon as possible.

When will you hear about your child's travel arrangements?

If you have applied before 31 July, transport or ITA arrangements will be processed over the summer and in place at least 7 days before the start of term in September, (or within 6 weeks for in-year applications).

If you have applied after 31 July, travel arrangements will not be in place for the start of term in September due to the application being submitted later in the year. Families are advised to make their own arrangements during the wait for transport to be sourced. If we have assigned a private hire vehicle, an interim travel allowance will be offered until transport is in place.

You are interested in Independent Travel Training, how do you find out more?

Information regarding Independent Travel Training (ITT) including how to apply for an initial assessment is available on our website - Travel Choices - helping children and young people travel independently to school.

What is the Surrey LINK card?

For young people aged 20 or under, you can apply for the new Surrey LINK bus card.

It allows 50% off single and return tickets for any journey that starts and/or finishes in Surrey.