Hertfordshire County Council approved the change on Wednesday, May 13 as an amendment to its Post-16 Transport to Education and Training Policy, affecting how young people travel to school and college.
Personal travel budgets (PTBs) will become the standard offer of support for most eligible students starting from September 2026.
Mark Watkin, the council’s executive member for education, SEND and inclusion, said: “We’re committed to helping young people with SEND prepare for adulthood, encouraging independence and choice are part of this preparation.
“As young people transition into adulthood independent travel can bring many advantages including socialising, integrating within their local community and improving their opportunities to work.
“We have a responsibility to Hertfordshire’s residents to make the best possible use of our scarce resources, which is why we’re taking a strategic approach by developing a long-term transport plan to ensure we can continue to help those who most need our support to access the services that enable them live fulfilling lives.”
The policy change follows an eight-week public consultation that ran from February 18 to April 19, gathering more than 1,600 responses.
It was recommended by the Education, SEND and Inclusion Panel on May 11 after considering consultation feedback.
Mr Watkin said: “Even though council budgets are tight, we recognise that every young person’s needs in Hertfordshire are different, and we will put the person at the centre of the decisions we make about the support available to them.
“We know that there are some individuals who will still require assisted travel and our plans reflect this need.
“Our aim is to ensure that we continue to support as many young people as possible across Hertfordshire; where there is a significant need, this will be supported.
“We recognise that there may be a number of reasons why personal travel budgets are not appropriate for every young person.
“We will, therefore, be enabling families to apply for contracted transport where their circumstances prevent them being provided with a PTB.
“These will be handled through the application process, and a rapid decision will be made on the basis of the child’s needs, and the impact on the wider family.”
The changes apply to students aged 16–18 who currently use contracted transport.
They will continue under their existing arrangements until they turn 19, move home, or change education provider.
The council has continued to offer discretionary transport support for young people aged 16–18, particularly those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
However, it has no legal duty to provide post-16 transport.
Demand for transport among young people with EHCPs has grown significantly and continues to rise.
The council says PTBs offer families greater flexibility and control, allowing them to arrange travel by car, bus, shared journeys, or other suitable means.
PTBs also promote independence by supporting the development of travel skills.
The council believes the new scheme is more cost-effective, freeing resources for other SEND services and specialist school places.
Further details about the revised PTB process and the appeals procedure will be made available on the Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer website.
