School transport; applying for free transportation to school

The necessary transportation of pupils on the way to school at

• public primary/middle and special schools;
• public or state-recognized private secondary schools, grammar schools, vocational schools (excluding part-time vocational schools), two-tier business schools and three- or four-tier business schools up to and including year 10, and
• public or state-recognized vocational schools with full-time teaching

is organized and financed by the school transport authorities.

The responsible bodies for public primary, secondary and special schools are the municipal school authorities of the schools; for other schools, the districts and independent cities in which the pupil has his or her usual place of residence.

Information on free transportation to school can be found under "Related topics".

The transportation obligation exists "to compulsory and compulsory elective classes at the nearest school", which is

• the compulsory school (= Sprengelschule) - no guest pupils
• the school to which the pupils are assigned (by assignment of the state education authority or by the secondary school coordinator)
• the school of the chosen type of school, training and subject area that can be reached with the least amount of transportation (cost per month for a monthly student ticket).

The transportation obligation applies to regular compulsory and compulsory elective lessons at the nearest school, provided that the journey to school for

• pupils in grades 1 to 4 is longer than 2 km and
• is longer than 3 km for pupils in year 5 and above.

Exception:

• Pupils who are dependent on transportation due to a permanent disability are transported free of charge regardless of the distance.
• Transport can also be provided for school journeys of less than this distance if, following an assessment by the responsible authority, the journey to school is deemed to be particularly difficult or particularly dangerous. The nearest school is the compulsory school or the school to which the pupils are assigned or the school of the chosen type of school, training and subject area that can be reached with the least amount of transportation.

The transportation obligation exists

• if the shortest reasonable walking distance from the home to the nearest school is more than two kilometers for pupils in grade 1 with 4 or more than three kilometers from grade 5 (the distance measured is the distance covered on foot, not the distance covered by public transport or bicycle etc.) or
• if a permanent disability of the pupil is proven (certificate of severe disability, in exceptional cases an official medical certificate)
• if the route to school is recognized as particularly dangerous or particularly difficult (e.g. if there are no sidewalks or other traffic safety facilities or if remote and lonely paths are away from residential areas)

The responsible bodies work together with each other and with the schools. The interests of the pupils, the schools and the responsible bodies must be given due consideration. The principal or principal shall determine the teaching time in accordance with the school regulations in consultation with the responsible body.

The responsible bodies shall fulfill their transport obligations primarily with the help of public transport. Other means of transportation, e.g. school bus, private vehicle, cab or rental car, are only to be used if this is necessary or more economical overall. The public transport authority may fulfill its transport obligation in individual cases by offering a distance compensation for the reasonable use of private vehicles.

The application for free transportation to school can be obtained either from the school office or at www.erlangen.de.

The completed application must be accompanied by any necessary supporting documents (e.g. proof of child benefit, copy of disabled person's pass, etc.). The completed application should be handed in to the school for confirmation and forwarding.

We would like to point out that free school transport can only be approved on application from the day of application.

The tokens are generally issued in Erlangen schools after the summer vacation until the end of September. If you attend a school outside Erlangen, you must collect the token in person from the Erlangen School Administration Office by appointment.

The City of Erlangen fulfills its obligation to provide free school transport in cooperation with local public transport companies.

Pupils resident in Erlangen receive a 365-euro ticket or free monthly school travel passes for the current school year.

Other means of transport (special school bus, private vehicle, cab or rental car) can only be recognized if this is absolutely necessary or more economical.

Costs for the use of a car will only be reimbursed if the use of a car has been applied for and approved by the Erlangen School Administration Office at the beginning of the school year.

Relocation / change of school

In order to check whether there is still an entitlement to free transportation, a new application must be submitted to the responsible authority each time there is a personal change such as a change of school and/or relocation. If there is no longer an entitlement, the 365-euro ticket or the monthly vouchers must be returned. Otherwise these costs will be charged.

If the tokens are lost, they will not be replaced!

If you have any questions regarding the Verbundpass or the validity of the school vouchers, please contact the VGN at www.vgn.de