Spare seat scheme
This scheme is only valid once all pupils entitled to free school transport have been allocated a seat on a service
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:
Spare Seat Pricing Structure
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| School Banding | Annual Cost |
1 instalment to be paid online before pass is issued |
Remaining balance issued on an invoice to be cleared by 31st March |
| Primary | £550.00 | £90.00 | £460.00 |
| Secondary (incl 6th form) | £840.00 | £151.00 | £689.00 |
If you choose to pay the first instalment we will send you an invoice for the remaining balance which will need to be paid in full by 31st March 2023. There are several payment methods for the invoice, detailed on the reverse of it, but we strongly recommend you set up a standing order to spilt the payment into 6 instalments.
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 have you checked that the service is eligible for the spare seat scheme.
View school services timetables
For more information about the spare seat scheme, please refer to arrangements, terms & conditions
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.
I've applied, what happens next?
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 the final loading figures we regrettably 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, we strongly advise that you prepare a back-up plan in case there are no spare seats 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
Valid services
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:
- Services run by Marchant's Coaches
- Services run by Pulhams or Stagecoach to Farmor's School
- Services run by F. R. Willett's
- Services run by Bennett's Coaches
- Services run to Churchdown School by Swanbrook Transport Ltd.
- Services run to Beaufort School by John Dix Travel
- Services run to Newent School by Stagecoach West
- Services run by Stagecoach
- Services to Hartpury College (go direct to College or Public transport)
- Any public transport service (i.e. any service that appears on www.travelinesw.com)
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:
Returning your pass
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.
Lost bus passes
If your child has lost their bus pass a replacement will cost £5.00 - you can order and pay online. You will need to provide your child's name, date of birth and school.
Note - This option only applies to bus passes issued by GCC, if the bus pass was provided by any of the operators listed above you need to contact them direct.