8th June 2026
Home to School Transport September 2026 – Applications now open
Some pupils are entitled to free transport from home to school through the Education Authority NI. The online applications for Home to School Transport are now open for the academic year beginning in September 2026.
The Education Authority NI is required to provide free transport to and from school for any pupils who meet specific criteria. Support is made available where there is no suitable school within a legal walking or qualifying distance from the pupil’s home, or where the pupil has not secured a place in an appropriate school within that distance. In addition to this, a child with additional educational needs or disabilities may also receive assistance with transport.
Many pupils who are transferring from Primary School to Post-Primary School will be eligible for home to school transport for the first time when they start their new school in September. This transport may be on a public bus or train or could be on vehicles provided by the Education Authority. This can also apply to pupils who have moved school for other reasons or who have not moved school but have moved house, and so now live further away from their school.
The Education Authority website provides an online Eligibility Checker to help parents find out if their child will qualify, prior to completing the formal application. The Eligibility Checker is for information purposes only and is not an application for transport assistance. The Eligibility Checker can be used at any time even when still deciding which schools to apply for and is available at: transport.eani.org.uk/EligibilityChecker/.
Who should apply?
If your child is not currently in receipt of home to school transport assistance and your child is moving school, including those pupils moving from Primary School to Post-Primary School, or moving school, for example to attend Sixth Form or for another reason, or will be attending a full time course at a Further Education college, in any of these scenarios your child may be eligible for transport assistance.
If your child has already been in receipt of transport assistance but has moved home or school you are required to re-apply and the application will be reassessed against the eligibility criteria.
Once the application has been submitted the Education Authority aims to confirm your arrangements within 20 days of receiving your application however for some pupils including those with complex needs the process may take longer.
If your child is already in receipt of transport assistance and there have been no changes in circumstances, then parents are not required to make a new application every year.
The Transport pass will be valid for the academic year stated on the pass. A new pass, for the new academic year will be forwarded to the school or college for collection. If your child has been awarded a seat on an Education Authority service, you do not need to reapply each year. Your child’s details will remain on the driver’s schedule unless the school informs Education Authority of any change.
Further information
Further information including the eligibility criteria for home to school transport, frequently asked questions and how to apply is available on the Education Authority website: www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/home-to-school-transport
For advice on what other support your family may be entitled including means-tested benefits, help with childcare costs and free school meals and school uniform allowance contact the Family Benefits Advice Service by email on: fbas@employersforchildcare.org