Student transport special education.

What is student transport?

Student transport is a scheme by the municipality for children who cannot travel to school independently. Usually, it concerns children who attend special education and have to travel more than 6 kilometers.

The municipality then arranges transport. For example, a taxi bus or a reimbursement for public transport or own travel costs.

If student transport for your child is not going well and your reports to the municipality have not improved the situation so far, see our step-by-step plan to find out what else you can do.

When can you use student transport?

You can apply for student transport if your child goes to:

• a special primary education or special education school that is too far away (more than 6 kilometers)
• a (regular) school that is the only suitable place because of the support your child needs
• a special school based on religion or belief that is too far away (more than 6 kilometers)

Every municipality has different rules. The rules from your municipality are in a document called ‘student transport regulation.’ There you can read when your child has the right to reimbursement or transport. Most municipalities use as a basis the model student transport regulation of the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG).

How do you apply for student transport?

You apply for student transport at the municipality where you live. This is usually possible with a digital form on the municipality website. Note: always do this before June 1 of the upcoming school year. The municipality decides within 8 weeks if your child qualifies for student transport.

You usually need to fill in this information:

• information about the school;
• a statement from the school that transport is necessary;
• sometimes a medical statement;
• the distance between home and school.

The municipality decides based on the agreements if your child has the right to transport or reimbursement.

What types of student transport are there?

There are three types of student transport:

1. Reimbursement of travel costs: for example, if your child travels by public transport.
2. Guidance allowance: if you bring and pick up your child yourself by car or bike.
3. Taxi or bus transport: if you are picked up and brought home by a taxi or bus from the municipality.

Sometimes your child gets an individual taxi (single transport), but usually they travel in a taxi bus with other students.

What does student transport cost?

Often student transport is free, but some municipalities ask for a personal contribution. Then you also have to pay part yourself. This often happens with regular education where a child has to travel farther. How much you have to pay depends on your income. Municipalities calculate this yearly.

Charging a contribution for students who have to use transport other than public transport because of their physical, intellectual, sensory, or psychological disability is not allowed.

What if your application is refused?

If you disagree with the municipality’s decision, you can object. Do this within six weeks after the decision. In the objection you explain why you believe your child has the right to student transport.