School transport for mainstream schools
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my bus stop, route number and pick-up time?
Visit the School Bus Pick Up Times page:
Select your school from the list and you will be able to view:
- The Home to School Transport (HTST) route number.
- All scheduled bus stops.
- Pick-up times for each stop.
To view the route on a map, select "Open Route Map". You can then filter the map to display only the route you require. Selecting a stop marker will show its exact location and a link to view it in Google Maps.
How do I know if my child is eligible for Home to School Transport?
Eligibility is assessed in accordance with Midlothian Council's Integrated Transport Policy.
For most mainstream pupils, eligibility is based on:
- Whether they attend their catchment school.
- The shortest available walking route between home and school.
- Whether an available walking route exists.
- Any relevant ASN or medical circumstances where appropriate.
Every application is assessed individually.
What is the distance threshold for free transport?
Section 42 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 requires the provision of free or supported transport for:
- Pupils under the age of 8 who live more than two miles from their catchment school.
- Pupils aged 8 and over who live more than three miles from their catchment school.
In Midlothian, the following pupils may be eligible for free school transport under current policy:
- Pupils who attend their catchment school and live more than two miles away.
How is the distance calculated?
The council uses specialist transport planning software.
Distances are measured using the shortest available walking route between:
- The property's Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN).
- The approved school boundary/access point.
The system takes account of available roads, footpaths, crossing points and any sections of route that have previously been assessed as unsuitable.
Why does the council measure to the school boundary and not the front door?
For the purpose of assessing distance eligibility, the Council measures the shortest available walking route between the child's home address and an approved access point at the school boundary. The measurement is not taken to the entrance door of the school building. Once a pupil reaches an approved school boundary point, they have reached the school site for the purpose of the transport assessment. Schools may have more than one approved access point. Where this is the case, the shortest available walking route to an approved boundary point will be used. Using defined school boundary points provides a consistent basis for assessing applications and avoids eligibility being affected by the location of individual buildings, entrances or facilities within a school site.
Please use this link to review school boundary maps:https://midlothian.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=796793ca40184abb8a528c5baa08e370
My phone says the route is longer than the council's route. Why?
Applications such as Google Maps, Apple Maps and Strava use different routes, assumptions and destination points.
Midlothian Council uses specialist transport software and approved route assessment information to calculate eligibility. The council's system, rather than third-party mapping applications, determines transport eligibility.
Why doesn't the council use a radius map?
Transport eligibility is not based on a simple radius around a school.
The council measures the shortest available walking route, taking account of roads, footpaths, crossings and assessed route restrictions. Two homes the same straight-line distance from a school may therefore have very different walking distances.
Why can children on the same street receive different decisions?
Applications are assessed individually using the exact location of each property.
Eligibility is not determined by postcode, village, housing estate or neighbourhood. As a result, neighbouring properties can occasionally receive different outcomes.
What is a Walked Route to School Assessment?
A Walked Route Assessment is a formal assessment carried out by the council's Active Travel Team.
Assessments consider factors such as:
- Footways and pedestrian infrastructure.
- Crossing opportunities.
- Visibility.
- Traffic speed and traffic volume.
- Lighting.
- General route characteristics.
The purpose of the assessment is to determine whether a route is available and suitable for walking.
Has someone actually walked the route?
Yes. Route assessments are undertaken by trained officers who physically assess routes as part of the council's Walked Routes to School Assessment process. Routes may also be reviewed if concerns are raised or circumstances change.
Does a route need street lighting to be considered suitable?
No. Lighting is one factor considered within a wider assessment. The absence of street lighting alone does not automatically make a route unsuitable.
Does a route need a formal crossing?
No. Formal pedestrian crossings are not required at every road crossing. Assessments consider traffic speed, visibility, crossing opportunities and other relevant factors.
Does a route need to have a pavement throughout?
No. The absence of a pavement on part of a route does not automatically mean a route is unavailable. Each route is assessed against the council's published criteria.
What if I find a problem on an assessed route?
Issues such as:
- Overgrown vegetation.
- Damaged paths.
- Obstructions.
- Poor maintenance.
should be reported to the council ( LandscapeAndCountrysideEnquiries@midlothian.gov.uk ) . These issues can be investigated separately and, where necessary, maintenance works arranged.
Can I request a review of a walking route?
Yes. Requests should be submitted to:
Route reviews are undertaken during school term time so that conditions reflect those experienced by pupils travelling to and from school.
Does having an Additional Support Need (ASN) automatically mean my child gets transport?
No. ASN does not automatically create an entitlement to transport. Each application is considered individually, taking account of the child's specific needs and whether those needs affect their ability to access education or travel safely.
My child has a medical condition. Will this be considered?
Yes. Medical circumstances can be considered where they affect a child's ability to walk, access transport or travel safely. Additional information may be requested as part of the assessment process.
My child got transport last year. Why have they been refused this year?
Previous transport provision does not create an ongoing entitlement to transport. Historically, some transport arrangements were rolled forward from year to year. The introduction of an annual application process means all applications are now reassessed against current eligibility criteria.
My child lives between two households. Can transport be provided from both addresses?
Where transport is approved, it will generally only be provided from one eligible address and will not extend to multiple household locations.
Are work commitments, childcare arrangements or family circumstances considered?
While the council recognises the challenges these circumstances can create, they are not transport eligibility criteria under the Integrated Transport Policy.
Can I pay for a seat if my child is not eligible?
No. However, where spare capacity exists, pupils may be able to access Privilege Transport. Places are allocated subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
Can I choose Council-arranged transport instead of a Personal Travel Budget?
No. Where a child is eligible for transport assistance, the Council will determine the appropriate form of assistance based on their individual circumstances and assessed needs.
Section 51 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 allows the Council to make the transport arrangements it considers necessary. This can include providing transport directly, providing a financial allowance, or paying the whole or part of reasonable travelling expenses.
A Personal Travel Budget (PTB) may therefore be offered as an appropriate form of transport assistance instead of Council-arranged transport.
The Council will consider relevant needs and circumstances when deciding what assistance is appropriate. A particular type of transport, including a taxi or individual vehicle, will not be provided solely on the basis of parental preference.
What is a Personal Travel Budget (PTB)?
A Personal Travel Budget (PTB) is a financial contribution towards the cost of making suitable travel arrangements for an eligible journey.
PTBs provide families with flexibility to make their own arrangements. For example, a PTB may be used towards the cost of taking a child to school, compensating a friend or family member who provides transport, or arranging suitable transport directly.
The offer and value of a PTB will be determined by the Council based on the individual circumstances and the transport assistance required.
PTBs are normally agreed for one academic year and may be reviewed where circumstances change or as part of the annual school transport application process.
What happens if I move home after transport has been arranged?
You must tell the Travel Team as soon as possible if your home address changes.
Your child's eligibility and existing transport arrangements will be reviewed using the new address. Depending on the circumstances, your child may no longer be eligible for transport or the type of transport assistance offered may change.
Existing transport arrangements do not automatically transfer to a new address and should not be assumed to continue following a house move.
Can transport be provided because of temporary family circumstances?
School transport is not normally provided because of temporary changes in a parent or carer's circumstances.
This includes situations such as short-term illness, temporary loss of access to a vehicle, a vehicle breakdown, or other temporary difficulties with existing family travel arrangements.
Parents and carers remain responsible for ensuring their child attends school and should make alternative arrangements where temporary circumstances prevent their usual arrangements from being used.
Where there has been a significant or longer-term change in circumstances, you can contact the Travel Team to discuss whether a reassessment is appropriate.
What happens if a child behaves unsafely or disruptively during transport?
Children and young people using Council-arranged transport are expected to behave safely and appropriately and follow the Transport Code of Conduct.
Where concerns arise, the Council will work with the school, parent or carer and transport provider, where appropriate, to understand the circumstances and determine what action is required.
Where behaviour creates a risk to the child, other passengers, the driver or escort, transport arrangements may be reviewed. Serious or repeated incidents may result in transport being suspended or withdrawn.
What happens to transport during severe weather or emergencies?
During severe weather or other emergency situations, transport will operate only where it is considered safe to do so.
The Council will work with schools and transport providers to respond to disruption. Where transport is delayed, changed or cancelled, information will be communicated to schools and parents or carers as soon as reasonably practicable.
If a school or other establishment closes early, the Council will work with the school and transport providers to make appropriate arrangements for pupils using Council-arranged transport.
Parents and carers should also monitor information issued by their child's school and the Council during periods of severe weather or disruption.