Parents of pupils who rely on council-provided school transport have told InfoRadar they are disappointed after receiving letters saying their children are no longer eligible for free bus travel for the coming term.
What has changed
Midlothian Council says the eligibility assessment for school transport has been revised in two main ways. First, applications for provision must now be submitted each year, rather than pupils being automatically reallocated a place. Second, the council has started using specialist mapping software to calculate walking distances between a pupil’s home and their school, using recognised walking routes.
“Whilst Midlothian Council have only minor changes to the approved travel policy from last year, the way eligibility is assessed has changed heading into this academic year,”
The council told local media the new approach is intended to be more accurate, consistent and transparent than the previous manual calculations. Officials said the annual application process is intended to reflect changes such as new housing developments, alterations to road networks and improvements to transport infrastructure.
Local reaction and practical implications
Families affected say the change has come as a surprise and that withdrawing transport support imposes extra costs and logistical challenges. For some households, particularly those with younger children or limited access to a car, the loss of a free bus place can mean longer journeys, childcare complications and increased expense.
- Apply annually: Parents should submit a new application for school transport each year.
- Check decision letters: The council says decision letters have been issued and will arrive shortly if not already received.
- Appeals and queries: Families should contact the council if they believe their circumstances have not been correctly assessed.
The council emphasised that pupils who meet the eligibility criteria set out in Scottish Government guidance will continue to receive transport.
How eligibility is determined
The change from manual measurement to software-based mapping means the distance between home and school is calculated using recognised walking routes rather than straight-line estimates. The council argues this provides a fairer and more consistent assessment across the county.
| Previous method | New method |
|---|---|
| manual calculations | specialist mapping software using recognised walking routes |
| automatic reallocation each year | annual application required |
Parents who remain unsure about their entitlement are advised to consult the council's published travel policy and eligibility criteria and to contact their school or Midlothian Council's transport team for clarification. The council said it appreciates that some families will be disappointed by the changes and that decision letters have been issued in recent days.
InfoRadar will follow this story as families receive decisions and as the council responds to any appeals or requests for clarification.
