Pupil travel costs

 

Who is entitled to reimbursement of school travel costs?

There is an entitlement to reimbursement of school travel costs if the following distances to school are exceeded:

• Primary level
  Grades 1 - 4 at primary schools and the corresponding classes at special schools more than 2 kilometres
• Secondary level I
  Grades 5 - 10 of secondary and comprehensive schools and grammar schools as well as the corresponding classes of special schools more than 3.5 kilometres and
• Secondary level II
  of the grammar schools in the introductory phase EF, qualification phase Q1 and Q2 more than 5 kilometres

amounts to.
The class attended, not the age of the pupil, is decisive for the assessment.
The City of Beckum is obliged to reimburse the necessary school transport costs incurred if the aforementioned eligibility requirements are met.
There is no obligation to provide transport.

What is the relevant route to school?
The journey to school is the shortest walk from the home to the nearest school of the chosen type of school (primary school, secondary school, grammar school, comprehensive school), in the case of primary schools also the chosen type of school (Catholic denominational school, community school).
The route to school starts at the front door and ends at the nearest entrance to the school grounds.
The distance is determined using the TIM-Online geo service and, in individual cases, using a calibrated measuring wheel.

What is a particularly dangerous route to school?
Regardless of the length of the journey to school, in individual cases there may be a claim for health reasons or because the journey to school is particularly dangerous.
A route to school is particularly dangerous if it runs predominantly along a busy road without a pavement or accessible verge or if a busy road has to be crossed without special safety measures for pedestrians.
Special safeguards for pedestrians are, for example, marked pedestrian crossings, traffic lights or school crossing patrols.
The town of Beckum regularly obtains the opinion of the district police authority to assess the particular danger.
In general, it should be noted that the term "particularly dangerous" refers to special circumstances that go beyond general dangerousness.
The normal dangers of road traffic - even on busy roads - are not sufficient.
The decisive factor is the safety of the school journey for pedestrians, not for cyclists.

Are travel costs reimbursed if a pupil wishes to attend a school other than the nearest school?

With the introduction of the Deutschlandticket for our eligible pupils, the conditions have changed. If there is an entitlement to reimbursement of transport costs to the nearest school of this type, these will also be covered for the journey to the school further away, as the costs remain the same.
Consequently, no travel costs are covered if no travel costs would be incurred for the journey to the nearest school.

Can I be reimbursed for travel costs if, for example, I do not attend the nearest grammar school, but a neighbouring one with a different language offer or a special focus on science?
Only the educational qualification to be achieved is taken into account for the reimbursement of travelling expenses. Deviations in terms of learning content, course of education or school organisation do not justify any further entitlement to reimbursement of school travel costs. The same applies to special foreign language courses or other special programmes such as science, music or sport. Only the possibility of achieving the qualification of the chosen type of school applies.
(e.g. the general higher education entrance qualification).

Are travel costs reimbursed if a pupil from an all-day school travels home during the lunch break?
If a second journey to school is necessary for school reasons and the total distance is exceeded in the case of predominantly weekly morning and afternoon lessons, travel costs can be reimbursed.
A return home during the lunch break at all-day schools is not necessary for school reasons.

What costs will be reimbursed if I have a claim?
The necessary costs incurred for the most economical form of transport are covered. As a rule, this is the use of public transport or special school transport. The school authority decides which is the most economical mode of transport. The administrative costs incurred and any subsequent costs must also be taken into account.

How are school transport costs covered?
An application for reimbursement of travel costs must be submitted via the respective school. The necessary application form is available from the school office. Parents are usually informed and advised about this at the time of enrolment.
The application is processed by the school and sports department of the city of Beckum.
It is checked whether there is an entitlement to reimbursement of school travel costs and, if so, which is the most economical mode of transport for the pupil. As a rule, this is the use of local public transport or special school transport (school bus).
If the use of a school bus is not reasonable or not possible, parents must organise their child's transport themselves using private vehicles. Privately organised school transport must be applied for in advance from the Schools and Sport Department. The City of Beckum will grant a distance allowance of €0.13 per kilometre to school for car journeys. Empty journeys by accompanying persons cannot be taken into account.
The City of Beckum reimburses the travel costs in two instalments at the end of each school half-year, on 1 February and 31 July. The application must be submitted no later than three months after the end of the half-year.

How do pupils receive their school travelcard?
Both the chip card as a Deutschlandticket for the use of public transport and the authorisation card for the use of special school transport are issued to pupils at school.
For the following school years, the Deutschlandticket is extended or the authorisation card is issued without a new application. The authorisation to cover travel costs is valid for one school year. Changes to the general conditions or legal changes can lead to new authorisation conditions.

What happens if I lose my school travelcard?
Any loss of the Deutschlandticket must be reported immediately to the school office so that the card is blocked and cannot be misused. The pupil or their parents should contact the transport provider themselves to obtain a new chip card after paying the current administration fee of €10.00.

This is currently:
Regionalverkehr Münsterland GmbH:
05451 9428-24
rvm.tickets(at)rvm-online.de

What happens if my family moves?
All changes, e.g. a change of residence, must be reported immediately to the school or the City of Beckum, Department of Schools and Sport. It will then be checked whether the eligibility requirements still apply.
In particular, the Deutschlandticket must be returned to the City of Beckum via the school immediately after eligibility ceases.

Who can answer further questions about school transport?
Anke Fehse is responsible for this in the specialist school and sports department of the city of Beckum.