School transport for mainstream schools
Transport FAQ's
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?
Home to School Transport eligibility is not assessed on a door-to-door basis. The council uses an approved school boundary/access point to provide a consistent destination for all pupils attending the same school. The purpose of Home to School Transport is to provide access to the school site, rather than the entrance doors of the school building. Using a consistent school boundary point ensures applications are assessed fairly and consistently.
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.