Manchester City Council

Primary schools

Who qualifies for a free travel pass?

If you are a Manchester resident and have a child attending a Manchester primary school, and the distance between your address and the school is two miles or over, you will be entitled to a free travel pass.

You can request an application form from a member of the School Admissions Team. Alternatively, you can download a primary school travel pass application form and guidance notes.

High schools

Who qualifies for a free travel pass?

To qualify for a free travel pass, the child must be:

• a resident of Manchester or a looked-after child in Manchester's care, who has been placed outside the Manchester Area; and
• attending a high school or academy in Manchester. Passes may also be issued to children wishing to attend a Jewish or Church of England faith school outside Manchester, where similar provision in Manchester is oversubscribed.

Applications will also be considered from children in years 10 and 11 who have recently moved into Manchester but wish to remain at a school outside the area.

How far does the child have to travel to qualify for a pass?

Free travel passes are not available for children who live less than 2 miles from school. Passes will normally be issued where the child:

• lives three miles or more from the school; or
• lives between two and three miles from the school and receives free school meals; or
• lives between two and three miles from the school and the parent/carer receives the maximum amount of Working Tax Credit. If you wish to claim a pass on this basis, you must provide proof that you receive the maximum Working Tax Credit. Please enclose a copy of your Tax Credit Assessment Notice for 2008/09 with the completed form.

You can request an application form from a member of the School Admissions Team. Alternatively, you can download and print the high school travel pass application form.

Completed forms should be sent to:

School Admissions Team
Manchester Children's Services
Level 1
Overseas House
Quay Street
Manchester
M3 3BB