Transport

The Independent travel training team help people aged five to 24 who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) to travel more independently.

Independent travel training is free for children and young people who are:

• eligible for transport assistance
• children who are looked after

A dedicated travel buddy will join you on public transport to and from school or college.

As your confidence grows we will help you to become more independent and prepare you for adulthood.

You will receive a tailored travel plan so that you can track your progress.

Contact Details: 

• Tel: 0113 535 1990 
• Email: ITTLeeds@leeds.gov.uk
• Website: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-transport/independent-travel-training   

Metro – train and bust timetables

Visit the Metro website to find out about:

• Ticket Prices
• Bus routes
• Train routes

The metro website has information about travelling to and from school using buses (public transport). You will find information about bus passes and school bus timetables.

Contact Details: 

• Tel: 0113 245 7676 
• Email: metroline@westyorks-ca.gov.uk 
• Website: http://www.wymetro.com/ 

Leeds City Council – travelling by taxis or private hire vehicles

Leeds City Council are responsible for making sure that taxi and private hire trade in Leeds is operated in a safe and professional manner and that the correct standards of safety and comfort are satisfied by all licensed drivers, vehicles and operators.

As well as drivers, all of our licensed vehicles have undergone and passed stringent tests for roadworthiness to ensure they meet MOT standards and comply with the current licensing conditions before a licence is issued.

To stay safe, follow these taxi aware rules:

• only use a licensed taxi or pre-booked private hire vehicle
• never get into a vehicle other than the one you have booked or a Hackney carriage you have hailed in the street or at a taxi rank
• confirm the driver is licensed and that they have a badge
• sharing a vehicle is a great idea and always sit in the back seats
• if you have any doubts, don’t get in and order another vehicle

Contact Details: 

• Tel: 0113 378 1570 
• Email: taxiprivatehire.licensing@leeds.gov.uk 
  Website: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/licensing/taxi-and-private-hire-licensing/are-you-taxi-aware 

Our post 16 transport policy statement provides information about the transport support available for students aged 16-18 and young people aged 19 to 25 with learning difficulties or disabilities to attend places of learning.

You can read the Post 16 Transport Policy here.

We’re delighted to announce that our award-winning, nationally recognised Independent Travel Training (ITT) service is now up and running! A team of Travel Buddies are supporting children and young people on a 1:1 basis, helping to equip them with the skills and confidence they need to become safe independent travellers on their journeys to and from school or college. Training is individualised to meet the needs of the young person and tends to take place over a few weeks, with the Buddy’s support gradually reducing at a pace suitable to their trainee as their confidence increases.

Children and young people qualify for ITT if they’re eligible for support with home to school travel arrangements. If your child currently accesses school transport you are welcome to refer them for travel training by emailing us at ittleeds@leeds.gov.uk and one of the team will be in touch. If you child is moving to a new setting in September and they’re interested in making their own way there, but need some support to achieve this, you can request an application form from Children’s Transport at send.transportapplications@leeds.gov.uk 

If you are considering a new school or college place for your child, please consider travel implications when choosing. For details of transport assistance eligibility criteria, please see Leeds Children's Services transport policy

If your child will be starting school for the first time or moving to a new secondary setting in September, it is important to think about how they will get to the school you prefer. Some children with SEND are entitled to travel support.

If your child is assessed as eligible and needs to be transported to school by the council, this will be in a shared minibus wherever possible. Depending on the distance to your chosen school, and the number of children sharing the bus, journeys could take up to 75 minutes. Alternatively, you may request a mileage allowance (50p per mile for two return trips per day). If there is a suitable school nearer to your home than the one you have chosen, you will need to contribute towards our additional costs at the rate of 50p per mile.

If you wish to speak to Children’s Transport about eligibility for assistance with transport, please email send.transportapplications@leeds.gov.uk

Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-transport for information about the different types of support available.

The government has published a handy quick guide about school transport here: Free school transport explained: From who’s eligible to how it works Please have a read for more information about home-to-school transport.