Apply for school transport services

Statutory school transport services

In the 2025/2026 school year, pupils will continue to receive statutory school transport services in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the Thuringian Act on the Funding of State Schools.

Entitlement to transportation or reimbursement exists under the following condition: The shortest walking distance between the student's home and the nearest state school offering the desired school-leaving qualification is at least

• 2 km from grade 1 to 4
• 3 km from grade 5

In the event of refusal of admission to the nearest school(s), the school's letter of refusal must be enclosed with the application. Assignments by the State Education Authority to a particular school must also be documented in writing.

From grade 11 onwards, parents or pupils of legal age will contribute a maximum of 50% of the current rate of the monthly student season ticket to the expenses for the journey to school in accordance with the statutes of the City of Jena dated 15.06.2022. Parents purchase the ABO monthly pass and receive 50% transferred to their account at the end of the school year.

The following additional information is provided: If the pupil / young person is the holder of a Jenabonus and is entitled to statutory school transport services in accordance with § 4 ThürSchFG, the application must declare which of the two services is to be used when deciding on point 1 (mobility ticket) or 2 (statutory school transport services).

Voluntary school transport services

In addition to the statutory school transport services, pupils will also receive voluntary school transport services in the 2025/2026 school year in the form of subsidies for travel costs incurred to and from school, which will be reimbursed at the end of the school year.

The route to school is the shortest walk to the school of choice. The subsidy is paid from:

• 2 km from class 1 to 4
• 3 km from grade 5

The amount of the subsidy (monthly or weekly school pass) depends on the number of children entitled to child benefit in the applicant's household:

• 1 or 2 children: 30%
• 3 children: 40%
• 4 children or more: 50%

Applicants with more than two children entitled to child benefit must always enclose proof of receipt of child benefit with the application.

Approval is granted for the 2025/2026 school year subject to the provision of funds by the Jena City Council.

Mobility ticket (Jenabonus)

Pupils and young people who are not yet 18 years old receive a mobility ticket for free use of public transport in Jena upon presentation of a valid Jenabonus and payment of an administrative fee of €15.00 per year. This administrative fee is payable in cash at the respective school after approval by notification. You will find more detailed information on this in your notification. This mobility ticket will be issued until the end of the 2025/2026 school year and until the 18th birthday at the latest.

Approval for the 2025/2026 school year is subject to the provision of funds by the Jena City Council.

Eligibility for the grant begins on the day the application is submitted.

The application for the 2025/2026 school year must be submitted by 03.07.2026 at the latest. Proof of transportation costs (see documents) must be submitted by the deadline for reimbursement of cash benefits.

Only the most cost-effective reimbursement can be applied. You will find the calculation in your notification.

• Travel expense application for the respective school year
• valid Jenabonus for pupils / young people (for mobility ticket)
• Proof of child benefit (for optional school benefits)
• Proof(s) of travel costs incurred

The following proofs of travel costs incurred are recognized:

• One-way tickets / day tickets / weekly tickets / monthly tickets / 4-trip tickets issued by Jenaer Nahverkehrs or JES Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (please attach these to the ticket and include the student's name)
• Subscription cards from Jenaer Nahverkehrs or JES Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (proof by bank statements or debit confirmation from Jenaer Nahverkehrs)
• "Deutschland-Ticket" (proof by bank statements or debit confirmation from the respective transport company)
• In the case of travel by private car, either submission of the logbook or affidavit that the journey to school is made by private car

• Thuringian School Act
• Thuringian School Financing Act
• Resolution of the City Council of the City of Jena of 13.12.2017 on elective school services
• Resolution of the City Council of the City of Jena dated 27.11.2018 on the mobility ticket
• Resolution of the City Council of the City of Jena of 15.06.2022 on school transport statutes