Way to School and School Transportation

A pupil can receive free-of-charge school transportation to their local school when

• the way to school exceeds 5 kilometers (PoL 32§)
• the way to school or part of it is dangerous according to the Koululiitu method

A pupil can receive free-of-charge school transportation to an out-of-catchment school when

• the way to school exceeds 5 kilometers and the way to school even to the local school would exceed 5 kilometers (not including pupils on special emphasis classes and at Oulu International School)
• a pupil, who would be entitled to free-of-charge transportation in a local school admitted by the organizer of the education, enrolls through secondary admission to an out-of-catchment school locating closer to their home and the way to the out-of-catchment school exceeds 5 kilometers
• a pupil studies their A1 language at another school than their local school and the way to that school exceeds 5 kilometers due to arranging teaching, or fits the criteria for discretionary school transport benefit
• a pupil in grades 4-9 studies their A2 language at another school than their local school and the way to that school exceeds 5 kilometers due to arranging teaching, or fits the criteria for discretionary school transport benefit.

If a child's way to school is under 5 kilometers, the guardian has the possibility to apply for free-of-charge school transportation in case they perceive the way to school too difficult, straining or dangerous for the child.

Apply for a discretionary school transport benefit by 15 May

If you are applying for a discretionary school transport for your child, the application must be submitted by mid-May. Fill in an electronic application in the Wilma system. Please note that discretionary school transport does not need to be applied for when the child's distance to school is more than 5 km. 

You can submit an application for your child under the heading "Hakemukset ja päätökset" ("Applications and decisions") > "Tee uusi hakemus" ("Make a new application"). If necessary, you may include electronic attachments to the application. The application function is only available in the browser version of Wilma. You cannot file an application with the mobile app.

The principal at the local school reviews the reasoning stated in the application, makes an opinion and the regional manager is in charge of making the decision on the benefit. If necessary, an expert opinion can also be provided by someone else (doctor, psychologist, occupational therapist or social worker). Expert opinion does not require the city to organize transportation but it can be used as an expert advice in decision-making.

The application must indicate the time period for which the transport is necessary. It can also include a suggestion for the transportation method (e.g. the pupil needs taxi transport due to reduced mobility).

Discretionary school transport benefit is applied for one school year at the time. It can also be granted for indefinitely (for example, due to permanent reduced mobility). Transportation can also be organized for part of the year (for example, for the winter months 1.11-31.3).

You can apply for the benefit also after the main application period 15 May, but it is not guaranteed that a decision on the benefit will be made before the start of the school year. Applications submitted before the deadline are processed in time before the beginning of the school year.

Waltti card based on the income

Pupils on special subject emphasis classes or at Oulu International School do not receive free-of-charge school transportation. These pupils can, however, be admitted annually a Waltti card based on the income of the adults living in the same address, , if a way to a school is more than 5 kilometres. The income limit is the upper limit for low income (view the chart below)

Chart: Limits for low income in different households. Source: Tilastokeskus 2021

Temporary transportation only by doctor's certificate

Temporary transportation due to an illness or an accident is organized only by a doctor's certificate. The certificate must state the need of transportation and the time period. Principals are in charge of deciding on temporary transportation. Organizing transportation can take one or two school days.

An alternative for free-of-charge school transportation is an accompanying benefit granted for transporting or accompanying a pupil to school.

Accompanying benefit and school transportation substitute each other. Accompanying benefit is only granted for pupils who are entitled to school transportation benefit. 

Accompanying benefit can be granted for the whole school year, school term or for winter months. Benefits for shorter periods of time are not granted. The guardian is in charge of school transportation during the entire time period the benefit covers.

The amount of the benefit is equal to the amount of the Kela's kilometer allowance for using a private car in force at the time. 

Regional managers are in charge of decisions regarding the benefit.

How to apply for an accompanying benefit

You must apply for an accompanying benefit before the time period you wish to receive the benefit for begins. You can apply for the benefit with the application for a discretionary school transport benefit.

You can apply for the accompanying benefit by filling an electronic form in Wilma system. You can make an application for your child under the headline "Hakemukset ja päätökset" ("Applications and decisions") > Tee uusi hakemus ("Create a new application"). If needed, you can attach electronic attachments to the application. The application function is only available in the browser version of Wilma. You cannot make an application in the mobile app.