Transport Matters for disabled teens

3 mins read

Friday 8 November 2024

Tags: survey, school transport, Post 16 education in England

School transport can be the difference between coping and crisis for families with disabled children. More and more families with teens over the age of 16 tell us that transport to school or college has been taken away just because of their age. 

Take our Transport Matters Survey to tell us about your experiences.  

Transport rights for over 16s

A young person over 16 does not have the same rights to free transport as children of compulsory school age, even though 16 and 17 year olds must stay in education or training.

Instead, transport for 16-19 year olds is discretionary, and local authorities may ask parents for a contribution. Young people’s transport needs may be reassessed at this age and travel arrangements may change, even when learners stay on at the same school.

Young adults aged 19 and over may be entitled to free transport in some circumstances, and parents cannot be made to provide transport for this age group

Why should age matter?

Contact trustee, Ramandeep’s son has been on a school bus since he was young – it always worked well and meant he arrived at school happy and ready to learn.  But this has all changed just because of his age.   

My son always had transport provided to get to school, but now that he has turned 17 transport has been stopped – despite there being no change to his needs or where he goes to school. This leaves us in the difficult situation of trying to cover a 20-mile round trip every day, just to get him to the education he is entitled to.” 

I support the Transport Matters campaign that will raise awareness of the issues around transport and campaign for change for people like my son.  

Tell us how transport affects you

When transport is not provided for disabled youngsters it can have a huge impact on the whole family; with parents having to give up work, paying high costs for taxis, siblings missing out on school hours and some disabled students not being able to get to school or college at all.  

We can’t let austerity erode another vital service for disabled young people . Our Transport Matters campaign, funded by the Motability Foundation, will find out how transport is affecting families and campaign for change. 

If you need advice or information about transport to education have a look at our online transport information. You can also get in touch with our helpline.