Parents have until May 31 to apply for a concessionary bus pass to get their child to school.

Dorset County Council operates a concessionary scheme to help families with children aged four-18 who are not entitled to free school transport. The scheme allows parents to apply to buy any spare seats available on contracted coaches.

A concessionary pass for 2013/14 costs £450 per child and can be paid for in instalments.

To make it easier for parents, existing concessionary bus pass holders do not need to re-apply for the seat.

Rick Perry, school admissions manager for Dorset County Council, said: “Parents do not need to re-apply for their child’s concessionary pass.

“Only children who are new to the scheme and would like to use a concessionary seat for the first time need to apply.

“We are writing to parents of existing concessionary passengers to ask if they would like to keep their seat for next year or if their circumstances have changed.”

Families can apply for a concessionary bus pass online by going to dorsetforyou.com/ schooltransport or can call 01305 221060 for an application form.

For more about the new transport policy, including the changes to post 16 transport and changes to transport on religious grounds, visit dorsetforyou.com/schooltransport