PRIV12014/2015

Regulations for Privilege Travel

Notes of guidance

What is Privilege Travel?

Hampshire County Council provides contracted school buses or taxis for most pupils who are entitled to help with travel.

Pupils who are not entitled to help may apply to use spare seats on these contracted vehicles; these are called ‘privilege’ places. Because it is a concession, children can only board and alight at official stops, in other words, those normally used by ‘entitled’ children on the vehicle. Additional stops cannot be added to the route. Privilege seats cannot be given on public bus services carrying fare paying passengers.

A privilege place may have to be withdrawn at short notice if the seat is needed for an entitled pupil, or is no longer available for operational reasons. Privilege places are not guaranteed.

Please note it may not be possible to provide privilege transport immediately and your child must not travel until a ticket is received. The availability of privilege places will only be known when all entitled children have been allocated to the vehicle. In the meantime it is your responsibility to arrange transport for your child.

How much does a Privilege place cost?
The cost per term for the school year 2014/2015 will be £172 (£516 whole year cost). Payment is to be made by cheque, postal order or credit/debit card prior to the start of the first term of travel only. Payment for the remaining term(s) will be made by Standing Order actioned on 1st December (for Spring term travel) and 23rd March(for Summer term travel).
Please note that if travel starts at any time during the first half of any term, or ends at any time during the second half of any term, the full termly cost will be due. If travel starts at any time during the second half of any term or ends at any time during the first half of any term, half the termly cost will be due. All refunds will be made on this basis.
The cost and criteria are reviewed annually for each new academic year.
Families in receipt of Income Support, Income-Based Job Seekers’ Allowance, Maximum level of Working Tax Credit (no reduction due to income) or Guarantee Element of Pension Credit are not required to pay, but MUST provide evidence at the start of each term confirming that they are currently receiving benefit.
Proof should always:
  • state the name and address of the claimant/recipient
and
  • contain some mention of the date to show that it is current
and
  • clearly state the type of benefit received (including the words, ‘Income Support’, ‘Income Based Job Seekers’ Allowance’, ‘Maximum level of Working Tax Credit’ or ‘ Pension Credit’)
Proof can be provided in one of these ways:
  • a recent letter or statement from the DWP showing the type of benefit
  • a PRIV4 form signed and stamped by the benefit office, showing type of benefit and period of claim
  • a recent bank statement saying clearly that it is for the above benefits
Any original documents you provide will be returned to you as soon as possible.
For payment enquires please call: 01962 846988.

Contd/…..

Applying for transport:

  • Transport will not be considered until an application form (PRIV2), signed by the parent/legal guardian, has been received by the Passenger Transport Group.
  • If you wish the Passenger Transport Group to acknowledge your application please staple a stamped addressed postcard to your application.

New academic year applications – Mainstream Pupils only:

  • Completed applications should be submitted to the Passenger Transport Group as soon as your child has a confirmed place at the school. The availability of privilege places will only be known when all entitled children have been allocated to the vehicle. For the new academic year this may not be until at least the end of September, as priority must be given to processing application forms for entitled children. In the meantime it is your responsibility to arrange alternative transport for your child.
  • Applications for the start of a new academic year at a new school must be accompanied by a copy of the acceptance letter from the school concerned
Please advise this office if an application for transport is made and your child does not take up the place at the school.

Transport provision:

  • Parents are responsible for the behaviour of their children while travelling and must acknowledge that unacceptable behaviour may lead to the withdrawal of transport.
  • You must contact this office if you change address at any time. If travelling assistance is required from your new address you will need to complete a new application form.

Medical information:

  • Parents have a duty to notify the County Council if their child suffers from any medical condition which may require medication or intervention, during the journey to and from school.

What happens if a pupils stops travelling:

  • If a privilege place is withdrawn or given up, send your ticket to the address below, and an appropriate refund will be made from the date of arrival of the privilege ticket in the office. You will need to cancel your Standing Order.

Lost or stolen passes:

  • Payment of £10.00, by cheque or postal order, must be made to ‘Hampshire County Council’ and sent to the address below, along with details of the pupil’s name, address and school. Only then may a replacement pass be issued and travel resume. Pupils who are exempt from the Privilege charge will also be required to pay for replacement passes.

Further enquiries to:

Operations or SEN Team, Passenger Transport Group, Economy, Transport and Environment Department, Capital House, 48-52 Andover Rd, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7BH.

Telephone: 01962 846924 (Mainstream)

Telephone: 01962 845327 (SEN)

PTG/Feb 14