Surplus seat applications

For the 2025/26 academic year we will be introducing a new process for the sale of our surplus seat passes. There will no longer be a waiting list, and passes for each route will instead be put on quantity-limited sale on the morebus app .

Please ensure that you check the timetables and maps carefully to ensure that the route you intend to purchase is still correct for your requirements, as some routes are different to last year.

FROM 7PM ON FRIDAY 22ND AUGUST, the following routes are on sale:

BL1, D2, D3, D4, D6, F1, F2, F3, F4, F7, L4, L5, PB5, PB6, PB7, PB8, Q1, Q8, Q9.

FROM 7PM ON WEDNESDAY 27TH AUGUST, the following further routes are on sale:

BL3, D7, D8, L3, Q4, Q7

Please note that route Q3 no longer exists and has been replaced by routes Q4 and Q7.

FROM 7PM ON TUESDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER, the following further routes are on sale:

BL2, D9, D10, D11, L6, PB9, Q10, Q11, Q12, Q14, Q15

Please note that route Q13 no longer exists and has been replaced by routes Q12 and Q15.

FROM 7PM ON THURSDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER, the following further routes are on sale:

BL4, S1

The routes will remain on sale until the quantity limit for each route is reached.

We regret that due to the expected number of entitled students we do not anticipate being able to sell any surplus seats for routes D1, PB1, PB2 or PB3 before the start of term. We may be able to sell some seats for these routes after the start of term, when the actual usage of the services becomes clear. For students in the Swanage area travelling to Purbeck School, Purbeck Breezer service 40 provides alternative travel options, and First Wessex service X51 may be suitable for students travelling to Thomas Hardye School from Winterbourne Abbas and Martinstown.

Please note:

Details of latest routes and timetables for the schools above can be viewed here. These are subject to change in line with entitled student requirements so you should also re-check these details before purchasing.
You should only purchase a surplus seat if your child is a non-entitled student wishing to travel on a dedicated school bus route. If the route you require a seat on is a public bus service, for example those listed here or similar services provided by other operators, you should instead purchase a ticket or pass from the standard ticket range of the relevant operator. If you believe that your child is actually an entitled student you will need to apply to Dorset Council - details of qualifying criteria and an online application form can be found here.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee of transport for non-entitled students and we cannot guarantee that a surplus seat pass will be available to purchase, or that transport will remain available throughout the year. Our obligation is to provide transport for all statutorily entitled students, and only where seats remain available can we sell passes to non-entitled students. We will do our best to offer passes to as many non-entitled students as possible, and we are usually able to accommodate the very large majority of those wishing to purchase.
If a seat becomes required by an entitled student at any point during the year we reserve the right to cancel a surplus seat pass and issue a pro-rata refund. However it is very rare for us to have to do this and we will only do so as a last resort.
Routes, stops and timetables are subject to change at any point during the year if entitled student requirements change. Any changes will be communicated with as much notice as possible, either directly to parents or via the school. If a change results in a route no longer meeting the needs of a surplus seat passholder, the passholder will be able to choose between switching to a nearby alternative route (if available) or a pro-rata refund.

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Surplus seat applications

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