School Transport - General Information

School transport is provided to children and young people, following an application and assessment of eligibility and typically adheres to a fixed timetable to provide transport between a pre-determined pick-up point and a school. The transport is delivered utilising various vehicle types to meet the requirements of those travelling, in the most efficient manner.

Note: Transport can only be provided between the school/service and one previously arranged permanent place of residence, usually the home address.

If required, Escorts (passenger assistants) are provided by the Education service. Escorts are provided to supervise, provide care and guidance to the passengers during transportation and to regulate conduct/behaviour.

The Council adheres to procurement legislation when contracting transport, with tendering being undertaken amongst a pool of eligible transport providers. All transport providers are required to adhere to detailed Terms and Conditions of Contract, which are in place to ensure the safe and legal operation of transport services.

All transport provider drivers/escorts operating a Council contract must have an Aberdeen City Council Approved Transport I.D. Badge. Drivers/escorts should always display this badge, which provides confidence to passengers that the driver/escort has been approved by the Council and holds a current PVG certificate. 

Note: If there is no badge visible then please contact the Passenger Transport Unit before the vehicle departs.

The Council monitors all school transport, to ensure compliance and adherence with the Terms and Conditions of Contract. A Performance Management System is in place, where operational and financial penalties are levied against transport providers who fail to adhere to the Terms and Conditions of Contract. 

Children and young people are eligible for school transport based on pre-determined eligibility criteria, as detailed at: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/school-life/school-transport

The provision of transport for children and young people is regularly reviewed, as circumstances can change over time and through the ongoing development of children and young people. Entitlement to transport at a specific point in time, does not guarantee provision of transport in each subsequent school session.

If circumstances change, for example change of address or change in mobility, eligibility for transport may be reassessed and the type of transport may need to be reviewed, for example to ensure vehicle type is appropriate.

Note: Please advise your school/service as soon as your circumstances change, for example change of address. This is important for reassessment to take place and/or to ensure that appropriate transport is in place to meet any new circumstances.

At the application stage the Council will ensure that we have all required contact details for a parent/carer, such as emergency contact numbers.

Note: If you change your emergency contact number, please advise the Passenger Transport Unit, as soon as possible.

For the safe transportation of wheelchairs the Passenger Transport Unit will need to keep up to date records of wheelchair make, model and if possible instructions for the secure method of transportation. This information is collected at the application stage.

The Passenger Transport Unit should be notified as soon as a possible when there is a change to a pupil's wheelchair.  Once the Passenger Transport Unit has been notified of a change in wheelchair, an appointment will be arranged to re-assess the requirements.

Note: In cases where a child transfers out of a wheelchair for the journey, the parent/carer should assist the child.

Note: In cases where the child may need to be lifted into a child seat, it is also the parent or carers responsibility to do so.

In the interests of passenger safety, private arrangements between parent/carer and drivers/escorts regarding passenger’s transport is strictly prohibited.  Anyone found to be making such arrangements may have their transport privileges suspended.

Note: If you require to discuss the transport arrangements in place, please contact the Passenger Transport Unit.

When school transport is provided to one school by several coaches, Scholar Passes are provided to pupils as a form of photographic identification to ensure they travel on their assigned vehicle.  These passes should be carried for each journey.

During Office Hours (08:30 – 17:00, Monday to Friday)

If parent/carer know that a child/young person, for whatever reason, will not be able to travel, they MUST contact the Passenger Transport Unit.

Out of Hours

If the cancellation cannot wait until office hours then contact the transport provider directly and send an email or leave a voicemail at the Passenger Transport Unit.

In the event of a breakdown or if a vehicle is unable to proceed because of road conditions, the operator is responsible for making alternative transport arrangements. The driver and escort will stay with the passengers on the vehicle until alternative transport arrives, unless it is necessary to evacuate the vehicle for safety reasons.

Note: If the vehicle is unable to proceed for any reason, for their safety children must:

• Follow the instructions of the driver / escort.
• Stay on the vehicle unless instructed otherwise.
• Never attempt to walk home (or to the school/service) the driver will arrange for alternative transport if necessary.

During periods of adverse weather, some or all home-to-school transport services may not operate or alternatively, operate a reduced service, depending upon local road conditions.

Decisions to cancel or amend school transport services are taken in the interests of the safety and welfare of the pupils, school transport drivers and other road users. These decisions are taken by the Transport Provider in liaison with schools and/or the Passenger Transport Unit.

Note: Updates during periods of adverse weather can be viewed here. Parent/carers are recommended to subscribe for your schools email alerts or to regularly check the information line on 0870 054 1999 by entering your schools pin code.

If it is not possible to get passengers back to their normal destination, they may be returned to the care of their service/school's staff for their safety.

If you have a complaint or concern about transport, or about a driver or escort please talk to your school about this or contact the Passenger Transport Unit.

All young people and children aged 5-21 years old in Scotland are eligible for free bus travel under the Scottish Government Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme. Applications for a National Entitlement Card (NEC) can be made at: https://getyournec.scot/nec/.

All PUDO points and walking routes to school/PUDO points are risk assessed by the Passenger Transport Unit and, where required, with expert advice from qualified road safety officers. PUDO points are assessed on the presumption that the pupil is accompanied by a responsible adult, where required.

Note: Any parent/carer who has concerns over the safety of the walking route to their child’s PUDO point or the safety of the PUDO point itself, should contact the Passenger Transport Unit who will review and undertake any further safety assessments that may be required.

Transport provision is not a door to door service. In certain instances, pupils may be required to walk to a PUDO point and in many cases this will be at a designated bus stop. This is the normal practice for pupils travelling in large buses/coaches.

Note: Especially during the dark nights and mornings in winter, pupils should be wearing something bright, preferably with a reflective strip or panel.

Where smaller vehicles (taxis and/or minibuses) are used it is the normal practice that pupils are picked up/dropped off from the pavement or roadside at, or near their home address and where possible pupils will exit the vehicle at the pavement side and, unless unavoidable, pupils will not have to cross the road the get to their home.

Where pupils reside at rural properties or large private estates, the PUDO point will, in most cases, be at a suitable publicly maintained point. This will usually be the point at which the private road at the pupil’s address joins the public road.

Transport providers will NOT wait longer than 3 minutes for mainstream and 5 minutes for additional support needs pupils at the designated pick up point scheduled time frame, because the vehicle may have further scheduled journeys to undertake that morning/afternoon.

Note for coach transport: If the transport fails to arrive on time, pupils should wait 10 minutes before either returning home or making their own way to school, accompanied if necessary. Make sure your child knows what to do if the transport is late, or does not turn up. This should also be reported to the Passenger Transport Unit to investigate.

Note for small vehicle transport: Please contact the Passenger Transport Unit to make us aware and the matter will be followed up with the transport provider to resolve.

• The responsibility for pupil safety prior to boarding and after alighting the vehicle lies with the parent/carer. Once on board transport the responsibility lies with the driver.
• Pupils should be at the designated pick-up point at least 5 minutes before the scheduled departure time and, where appropriate that they are looked after until the transport arrives.  If unsure of where your transport will wait, please contact the transport provider to arrange this.
• The parent/carer is responsible for ensuring that their child gets to the vehicle safely.
• The parent/carer is responsible for the child after the return journey, meeting the vehicle at the designated drop off point, where necessary.

Note: Drivers/escorts are not required to help pupils to cross roads and should your child be unaccompanied between home and the PUDO point, make sure that they know and follows the safest route and uses the safest crossing places.

Note: Where a responsible adult is expected at the drop-off point or home and is not present, and no contact can be made, then where possible transport will be attempted again after all other passengers have been dropped-off. Alternatively, the pupil will be returned to school or taken to the nearest social care establishment/police station. Under no circumstances will a child be left unattended.

• Always be ready for the vehicle to arrive and be at the designated pick-up point at least 5 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
• Take care at the roadside while waiting for your transport. Wait on the footpath, or, if one is not available, stand well back from the roadside.
• Do not try to get onto or off a vehicle until it has come to a complete stop and you have been instructed to get on or off.
• Do not rush to the vehicle door, once the vehicle has stopped. Get on and off vehicles, in a calm and orderly manner.
• Where seats are not assigned, find a seat quickly and quietly, without pushing.
• After getting off a vehicle, do not cross the road until the vehicle has moved away. Use a pedestrian crossing where available and ensure that you can see clearly in both directions before you cross.
• Where required, keep your Scholar Pass in good condition.

Note: If a scholar pass is lost or damaged, please contact the Passenger Transport Unit for a replacement. An admin charge may be applied for replacement cards.

The Council’s Passenger Transport Unit will allocate pupils to vehicles. Drivers are issued with passenger manifests detailing the passenger(s) who are allocated to their vehicle along with their respective PUDO points.

The Council endeavours to follow best practice guidance in terms of maximum journey lengths for school transport.

A seat is provided for every passenger who has been authorised to travel. It is very important that pupils travel on the vehicle to which they have been allocated.

Note: Where more than one vehicle is operating from your area to your child’s school, ensure your child is fully aware of which vehicle to board.

On smaller vehicles, a specific seat will generally be allocated to each pupil. On larger vehicles pupils will find the first available seat.

All vehicles operating Council transport contracts are provided with seat belts or other appropriate passenger restraints. Drivers/escorts will check that seatbelts are worn and audible announcements will be made instructing that seatbelts are fastened securely.

Note: Seat belts, are a legal requirement and are provided for the safety of all passengers and transport staff and must be worn for the duration of the journey to and from school.

If it has been assessed that a pupil needs a child car seat, harness or other transport safety equipment, this may be provided by the Council.

Drivers are responsible for the vehicle and all passengers on board. It is important that pupils follow the instructions of the drivers. Pupils should remain seated with their seat belt fastened at all times during the journey and at no time should they touch or attempt to open or close the doors or emergency exits of the vehicle.

Note: If there is a significant behavioural incident, transport will not be able to proceed and a parent/carer may be required to collect their child.

Pupil behaviour and conduct will be monitored and transport staff will report any concerns to the Council.

All school transport vehicles carry a mobile phone or equivalent communication device for emergency use.

Please make sure that your child understands that they must behave properly both in and out of school. There should be no misbehaviour on transport vehicles or any actions that would put the safety of other passengers or the driver/escort at risk.

Note: You and your child may also be liable for any vandalism, soiling or damage to the vehicle caused by your child.

Note: Normal disciplinary sanctions that would be incurred whilst misbehaving on school premises will be taken against any pupil caught misbehaving on school transport services.

Note: In cases of extreme or persistent misbehaviour transport services may be removed temporarily. Dependent on circumstances, repeat offenders may be banned from transport.

Please explain to your child that they must wear their seatbelt or suitable restraint, at all times.

Note: If a child refuses to wear a seatbelt, transport will not be able to proceed and a parent/carer may be required to collect their child. If a pupil repeatedly removes or refuses to wear a seatbelt they may be suspend from transport.

• Always listen to instructions given by the driver/escort and do as they say. They are there to help you and ensure your safety.
• Always wear your seatbelt, at all times throughout the journey. This is a legal requirement and to keep you safe.
• If you do not wear the seatbelt provided the vehicle will not depart and your parent/carer may be required to collect you.
• You should remain in your seat at all times during the journey and do not distract the driver when the vehicle is moving.
• Have consideration for other passengers and treat the vehicle with respect. Never let anyone persuade you to do anything unsafe.
• Take care of your personal belongings. Do not block the passageway or emergency exits and make sure that you take everything with you when you leave. If you have left anything on the vehicle then tell your teacher or parent/carer right away.
• You should behave appropriately at all times. There should be no misconduct on the  transport vehicle. Do not do anything that would put the safety of other passengers or the driver/escort at risk. If passengers misbehave or cause any damage on the vehicle, they may be stopped from using the transport service.

Note: Normal disciplinary sanctions that would be incurred whilst misbehaving on school premises will be taken against any pupil caught misbehaving on school transport services.

Note: In cases of extreme or persistent misbehaviour transport services may be removed temporarily. Dependent on circumstances, repeat offenders may be banned from transport.

• Do not smoke or vape on the vehicle.
• Do not eat, drink, or leave litter on the vehicle.

Information on the criteria for free school transport is available here.