Spare Seat Application Window – Academic Year 2025/2026
Dear Parent/Guardian
The dates for the spare seat application window for academic year 2025 have been finalised. Should you wish to apply for a spare seat for your child to use the school bus service you will need to apply from 9am on Tuesday 28th.October 2025 Please note that the online form will be live until on or around 29th May 2026
Further information on the spare seat process can be found online, here: Spare seat scheme (iow.gov.uk) Please also note the FAQs, Code of Good Practice and Ticket Terms and Conditions sections available via this webpage.
If you scroll to the bottom of the above webpage you will see the bus services for which you can apply. This information will be live from 9am on Thursday 23rd October 2025. Should the service you require not be listed you will not be able to apply for that service at this time.
Do bear in mind that making an application for a spare seat does not guarantee a seat on the school bus.
Privilege seat ticket prices are set costs as follows.
- - Up to a full term £194.18
- - Up to half a term £97.09
- - Up to a full-term AM or PM only £97.09
- - Up to half a term AM or PM only £48.54
Should you have any queries please contact the Transport Team at the Council via email: transport.info@iow.gov.uk or telephone: 823780.
Important Points to Note
- Information on bus services that can be offered will be available on the website from 9am Thursday 23rd October 2025.
- We may not be able to provide an update on the number of seats available before the application window opens but please be aware seats availability will be very limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis
- Services available are listed at the bottom of the spare seat webpage
- There will be a strict payment deadline for making payment. Should you miss this deadline, the seat offered to your child will be offered to the next child on the waiting list (should one exist) and your application will be cancelled.
- Once applications have been processed by the Transport Team you will be able to see the status of your application online as well as make payment without having to contact the Council.
