Apply for a spare seat on a council-run bus

We run school buses for children who are eligible for free school transport.

If not all of the spaces are used, you can apply for a space on the bus as a 'spare seat'.

These are only for timetabled buses, not minibuses or taxis.

You'll need to reapply for a seat in the 2025 to 2026 academic year.

We'll email you the online application on 2 May 2025 and you need to submit it by 18 May 2025.

You should apply as soon as possible (view how we prioritise applications).

Complete the renewal form online, or sign up to 'My Account' using the button below.

You can apply from 15 September for a seat available from 3 November.

You should apply as soon as possible (view how we prioritise applications).

We'll tell you the outcome of your application within 21 working days of your application.

If you've been successful, we'll tell you:

• the cost
• the deadline for paying
• how to cancel or request a refund

After you've paid (or setup a payment) we'll send you the bus pass in the post.

If you have not paid (or setup a payment) by the deadline, we'll withdraw your spare seat and it may be offered to another applicant.

We review applications (and assign spare seats) daily and prioritise them in this order:

1. Children who already have a spare seat (and are renewing)
2. Children in care and children who have been adopted from care
3. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
4. Children of armed forces personnel (as part of the Buckinghamshire Armed Forces Covenant)
5. Siblings of students who get free school transport or have priority for a spare seat and travel on the same route

The remaining seats are allocated to applications based on when they were received (date and time).

You can pay annually, termly or monthly.

Monthly and termly payments include a £30 administration fee to cover the cost of sending additional bus passes.

You can pay online (by card) on the online payment portal.

You'll need your child's 6-digit customer reference number (on the spare seat offer letter).

View our school bus timetables page.

We recognise the importance of the scheme.

After a spare seat has been offered, we'll try to keep it for the student during their entire time at school. However we cannot guarantee this.

We may need to withdraw a spare seat in some situations, including if the:

• spare seat is needed for a student eligible for free school transport
• bus is changed, reducing the availability
• bus route is cancelled

Before you apply for a spare seat, read the full terms and conditions of travel.

Other types of school transport include:

• public buses
• commercial buses
• parent and community schemes

View more information on school transport options.

If you need help, contact our school transport team.