Overview
Free home to school travel is provided for children of compulsory school age (5-16 years) by Transport for London (TfL).
Most children won’t need any additional help with travel. Those that do may get a seat on a school bus, minibus or taxi or their parents will get a personal travel budget so they can get their children to and from school themselves.
Requirements for travel support
Children of compulsory school age (5-16 years old) who live in Hackney may be entitled to free travel support if:
- they have special educational needs, a disability or mobility problems that means that they cannot be expected to walk to and from school or use public transport
- they cannot walk to school, even though it is within the normal walking distance of two miles (if aged 5-7) or three miles (if aged 8 or over)
- they cannot reasonably be expected to walk a particular route due to safety even though the school is within the normal walking distances
- they have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and attend a school that is outside the distances
- their religion or belief means that their qualifying school is not the nearest school and is outside the distances
- they attend school more than two miles from home (if aged 5-8 years) or more than three miles from home (if aged 8-16 years) and are from a low-income family
- their parent or carer has a disability
There may be some travel support for other situations:
- parents of children with SEND who are of pre-school age (under 5)
- students aged 16-18 years who have an Education Health and Care plan
- adult learners aged 19-25 years who have an Education Health and Care plan
- students aged 16-18 years who are from low-income families
How to apply
If you meet the requirements for free travel, the process you follow will depend on the child's age and if they have special educational needs or disabilities.
SEND travel support
Other travel support (age 4 to 16)
This application form will be available shortly. If you'd like to make an enquiry please contact pupilbenefits@hackney.gov.uk.
Other travel support (age 16+)
Related documents and links
Hackney home to school travel policy
Outlines Hackney Council's policy for home to school travel for children and young people, including those with special educational needs or disabilities
Post 16 Transport Policy Statement (PDF, 158KB)
The support that Hackney Council considers necessary to facilitate the attendance of post 16 learners receiving education or training
Pupil Benefits Policies 2025-26 (PDF, 306KB)
Hackney Education policies relating to clothing grants, free school meals and travel