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Spare seat scheme

Spare seat applications will only be assessed once all pupils entitled to free school transport have been allocated a seat on a service. Please see the "I've applied, when will I hear back?" dropdown further down this page if you are applying for September.

Apply for a seat on the bus

If a school bus is run by GCC and some seats are not yet occupied, you may be able to buy a travel pass, but it is not guaranteed. Please use the form below to apply online. If your application is successful, (dependent on spare seat capacity) you will be asked to pay a fee based on the cost table:

2025/26 Academic Year Prices will be the same as 2024/25

Spare Seat Pricing  Structure 24/25 & 25/26 academic year

The spare seat prices are reviewed annually
School Banding  Annual Cost  1st instalment to be paid online before pass is issued 8 Monthly payments  from Oct to May - to be paid online
Primary  £630.00 £90.00 £67.50
Secondary (incl 6th form) £950.00 £150.00 £100

If you choose to pay by instalments you will need to save the online payment link and pay each month from Oct to May.  We will endeavor to send reminders but cannot guarantee this. It is your responsibility to pay each month.

If you choose to pay in instalments you will need to ensure that the balance is settled in full by 31st May of the academic year in question. 

If you join part way through the academic year, then the cost will be pro-rata based on the number of school days remaining

Before you apply please check the timetables page to confirm that the service is eligible for the spare seat scheme.

For more information about the spare seat scheme, please refer to the terms and conditions for the relevant academic year below.  

Click here to apply for a spare seat

Please note: Each pass entitles the holder to one seat on the school bus, which they may use for their morning and afternoon transport throughout the week. As a seat is held for the pass-holder every day, we cannot negotiate reduced prices or refunds for passengers who use (or would prefer to use) transport less frequently.

Once all entitled places have been allocated, we will let you know by e-mail if a seat on the bus you have requested is still available.

The allocation of pupils is usually finalised towards the end of the summer holiday, so this is when you should expect to hear back from us if applying for the new academic year.

We sometimes cannot offer a place until after the beginning of term, and depending on final loading figures we may not be able to offer passes to some returning pupils at all, even if they did use the bus in a previous year.

Therefore, it is essential that you prepare a back-up plan in case we cannot offer a spare seat to you on the service you have requested.

If you receive an offer, you will then be able to pay for your bus pass, securing your child's seat for the academic year. Instructions on how to make your payment will be enclosed with the offer.

For more information about the spare seat scheme, please refer to arrangements, terms & conditions (PDF, 167.9 KB)

Once all entitled places have been allocated, we will let you know by e-mail if a seat on the bus you have requested is still available.

The allocation of pupils is usually finalised towards the end of the summer holiday, so this is when you should expect to hear back from us if applying for the new academic year.

We sometimes cannot offer a place until after the beginning of term, and depending on final loading figures we may not be able to offer passes to some returning pupils at all, even if they did use the bus in a previous year.

Therefore, it is essential that you prepare a back-up plan in case we cannot offer a spare seat to you on the service you have requested.

If you receive an offer, you will then be able to pay for your bus pass, securing your child's seat for the academic year. Instructions on how to make your payment will be enclosed with the offer.

For more information about the spare seat scheme, please refer to arrangements, terms & conditions (PDF, 167.9 KB)

A GCC bus pass is only valid on the service named and at the times listed (i.e. at the beginning and end of the school day). It cannot be used outside of school hours, or for other school travel such as medical appointments or after school clubs. You cannot use it to board other services to the same school.

GCC can only sell spare seats on services it controls. Many school services are not run by GCC and are not part of our spare seat scheme.

We do not sell spare seats on the following services:

These services are run by their respective operators, and therefore the costs may vary. If you would like to travel on one of these routes please contact the operator directly.

If your child violates the code of conduct their pass may be temporarily or permanently withdrawn. Please familiarise yourself with the code of conduct:

Code of conduct for pupils who use home-to-school transport (PDF, 311.1 KB)

A GCC bus pass is only valid on the service named and at the times listed (i.e. at the beginning and end of the school day). It cannot be used outside of school hours, or for other school travel such as medical appointments or after school clubs. You cannot use it to board other services to the same school.

GCC can only sell spare seats on services it controls. Many school services are not run by GCC and are not part of our spare seat scheme.

We do not sell spare seats on the following services:

These services are run by their respective operators, and therefore the costs may vary. If you would like to travel on one of these routes please contact the operator directly.

If your child violates the code of conduct their pass may be temporarily or permanently withdrawn. Please familiarise yourself with the code of conduct:

Code of conduct for pupils who use home-to-school transport (PDF, 311.1 KB)

If for any reason you no longer need your seat and would like to return your bus pass, please contact the Integrated Transport Unit. If you have requested a refund they will evaluate your request. For contact details please refer to your original offer e-mail.

If for any reason you no longer need your seat and would like to return your bus pass, please contact the Integrated Transport Unit. If you have requested a refund they will evaluate your request. For contact details please refer to your original offer e-mail.