Free Merseytravel pass
FreeDisability
Free bus, train and Mersey Ferries travel for Merseyside residents with a qualifying disability, including a learning disability.
🚌 Travel help in Wirral
Help with getting to school, college or training for young people with SEND who live in Wirral. Travel support depends on where the young person lives, not where the school or college is.
✔ Checked October 2026⚡ Wirral at a glance
Post-16 charge
No charge
In March 2026 councillors decided not to introduce a proposed £680 charge.
Distance
Over 3 miles
From home to the school or college.
Travel training
Wirral Council
A new travel training team is being expanded.
Reapply
Every year
Post-16 students must reapply annually.
Source: Based on Wirral Council's post-16 transport policy statement, its draft 2026–27 assisted travel documents and the council's March 2026 committee decision.
👥 Who can get help
Up to 16
School age
Covered by Wirral's assisted travel policy for children and young people aged 0–16.
16 to 19
Post-16
Post-16 students with an EHCP who continue in education can apply for transport support. Each application is assessed individually.
18 and over
Adult
Support may be available after an assessment of need by Adult Social Services, if Fair Access to Care criteria are met.
What the council looks at
Post-16 transport support can be considered for students with an EHCP where:
- the journey from home to the school or college is more than three miles
- the student is on a full-time course of more than 15 hours a week for a whole academic year
- the student attends the nearest school or college that offers the course.
"16 to 19" runs from the academic year after the student's 16th birthday to the end of the academic year in which they turn 19.
🔍 Try these first
Personal transport budget
Family drivesFlexible
Wirral encourages families to take a personal transport budget where it suits them. The rates were updated in 2026, so ask the Assisted Travel Service for the current figures.
College transport
Check first
Some Wirral schools and colleges have subsidised bus routes. See the council's list of transport to post-16 providers.
🧭 What help might be offered
Depending on the young person's needs, support can include a travel pass, independent travel training, a personal transport budget, or council transport such as a minibus or taxi.
💷 Costs
Post-16 charge
None
A £680-a-year charge was consulted on, but councillors didn't approve it in March 2026. Existing arrangements continue.
Personal transport budget
Updated rates
New rates were agreed in 2026. Ask the Assisted Travel Service.
Bursary
Up to £1,200
16–19 Bursary Fund for vulnerable students, through the college.
Watch for changes: the council is looking at new ways of providing assisted travel. Check for updates before applying each year.
📝 How to apply
- Complete an applicationStudents or their parents or carers complete an application form for transport support.
- Individual assessmentThe council decides whether the student is eligible and what type of transport they need.
- Reapply every yearPost-16 transport is not carried over automatically.
🚶 Travel training in Wirral
Wirral is building a new independent travel training team to help more young people learn to travel on their own. Children and young people who apply for travel support are assessed to see whether they could learn to travel independently, and may be expected to take part in training.
Travel training team
Phone
Phone 0151 666 4229 about independent travel training.
⚖️ If you disagree with a decision
Parents or students can appeal in writing within 20 working days of the decision, either against a refusal or against the travel arrangements offered.
📎 Documents, forms and contacts
Post 16 Transport Policy Statement
Council page
Wirral's post-16 statement, including SEND support, travel training and complaints.
Support for learners with SEND
Council pageCriteria
Section 3 of the statement: eligibility and appeals.
Free travel to school and appeals
Council page
How to apply and how to appeal.
SENDLO Wirral
Local Offer
Wirral's SEND Local Offer, including assisted travel updates.