School Transport

There are different rules depending on whether you are a student in primary school or in secondary education.

Those entitled to transport in primary school are:

• Pupils in grade 1 who live more than 2 kilometers from the school
• Pupils in grades 2–10 who live more than 4 kilometers from the school
• Pupils who have a particularly dangerous or difficult route to school
• Pupils with special needs documented with a doctor’s certificate/expert opinion

Those entitled to transport in upper secondary education are:

• Students who live more than 6 kilometers from their school and reside outside the dispensation area.
• Students with special needs documented with a doctor’s certificate/expert opinion

Note that the distance is measured as the shortest walkable route between home and school, not the driving route or the bus route. If the student or parents disagree with the measurement, they can appeal. If there are errors in this measurement, please contact skoleskyss@brakar.no.

In primary school, the schools apply on behalf of the pupils. In upper secondary school (high school), the students themselves apply through the Student Portal. Students applying for transport due to medical reasons should apply through the school.

Decisions on school transport are individual decisions according to the Norwegian Public Administration Act. The decision on school transport is valid for one school year at a time. You must reapply before each school year, and a new decision will be made.

Conditions and abilities can change over time. An updated medical certificate must be submitted with all new applications for school transport to have sufficient information to make an individual decision.

Children whose parents do not live together are entitled to transport between home and school to/from both parents’ home addresses when the parents have shared daily care. It is assumed that the child meets the transport requirement for the address to which transport is applied. There should be predictability in where the child lives so that it is possible to plan the transport, for example, every other week or two weeks at a time with each of the parents. Furthermore, it must be possible to organize a rational transport in terms of travel time and economy. If this is not possible, the student will be denied school transport.

The Viken County Municipality has been granted an exemption from the main rule of free school transport for high school students living in Drammen, Lier, Øvre Eiker, Modum, Hole, Ringerike, and Kongsberg. Students living in these areas must purchase a youth card themselves.

You apply for transport through the Student Portal. Please contact skoleskyss@brakar.no if you cannot find your school in the Student Portal.

You can purchase a youth card, which is valid on all Brakar’s routes (except route 200 outside Buskerud) until the year you turn 20. Children from the age of 6 can purchase the youth card, and it will be cheaper than buying a 30-day season ticket for children. Read more about the youth card.

Students entitled to free school transport receive an electronic school card. They receive this at the school they attend.

The card can be used for 2 journeys per school day with any transfers according to regular transfer rules. One journey to school and one journey to the residence. If the student chooses to go home with a friend after school within the zone, it is okay to use the card, but it depends on capacity. The card can be used between 06:00 and 17:00 (departure time of the bus). The card is not valid for travel on weekends and school holidays.

The card is personal and cannot be lent to others.

Forgotten school card:

Pupils who have forgotten their school card should be allowed to travel by bus to school on the first day. For the return journey from school, the student must show a temporary travel permit issued by the school.

Lost/damaged school card:

If you have lost or damaged the school card, you will need to notify the school immediately so that a new card can be issued. The school will issue a temporary travel permit. You should normally receive a new card within two weeks. Pupils who have lost or damaged their school card should be allowed to travel by bus to school on the first day. For the return journey from school, the pupil must show a temporary travel permit.

For students in high school:

The school card is free of charge when issued for the first time. When ordering a new school card for students in high school, a fee of 250 NOK per card is imposed. The fee must be paid before the new card is issued. For more information, please contact the administration at your school.

Students who use the bus to get to school  and need to go home during the school day can use their school card on another bus departure. For students who travel by taxi, alternative transportation must be arranged by the parents/guardians. The timing of the taxi transport cannot be changed, it can only be cancelled. Please inform the taxi that the return transport is cancelled if the parents/guardians pick up the student during the day.