School buses
Each day we provide, and fund, school bus services for more than 8,000 pupils who attend schools and colleges across Derbyshire. Most services are funded by us although some are provided commercially by bus and coach operators, or by parent bus clubs and schools. A range of vehicles are used to transport students and this includes minibuses, buses, coaches, double deck vehicles and the train.
Free school transport
Entitlement to transport assistance is assessed by the school admissions and transport team and if families feel they may be entitled to help, they can check our home-to-school transport policy and apply for assistance.
Students who are entitled to receive free school transport are normally issued with a bus pass to travel on a dedicated school bus service or a public bus service. However, families who live in rural areas where transport options are sometimes limited may be entitled to receive a refund of travelling expenses for either the journey to the nearest bus stop, or direct to school if no suitable bus service is available.
Children travelling without a free bus pass
Students who are not entitled to any help with transport costs may still be able to travel and pay a fare to the driver for each journey they make. However, this is only available on school bus services that are registered to take paying passengers. Typically, services that are not available to fare paying pupils are those that operate to denominational (faith) schools and those that are operated by minibuses.
Families can apply to buy a pass for transport on these services. For more information, email: schooltransport@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 536740 or 01629 536749.
Children who attend a college or sixth form
Free school transport is not available from us for students once they finish year 11. There is more information about what help is available on our post-16 travel page.
Other help with travel costs
You may be able to get help with travel costs through our b_line travel scheme for all young people aged 11 to 18.
Bus timetables and routes
Information for dedicated school bus services is currently not available online but we are looking to change this in the near future.
If you would like information for a specific service, or school, please contact us, email: schooltransport@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 536740 or 01629 536749.
Public bus services
Information for public bus services, and registered school bus services, is available from Public Transport in Derbyshire.
More information
For any queries about school transport:
If you'd like to contact us about entitlement to free school transport: