Seven-year-old ordered to commute by S-Bahn train for school transport - Child Granted Permission to Commute to School via Subway Alone at Age 7
In a landmark decision made by the Administrative Court of Dresden, a seven-year-old primary school pupil has been deemed capable of using the S-Bahn (line S1) for a short distance to travel to school. This ruling comes in response to an urgent application by a couple from Rathen, a spa town in the district of Saxon Switzerland-Osterzgebirge.
The decision was made in light of the discontinuation of a special school transport service between Rathen and the neighboring Königstein elementary school. The court found that the walking and traveling route does not pose extraordinary traffic dangers beyond usual risks, citing illuminated footpaths, gated level crossings, and underpasses.
The school route in question is located in Saxon Switzerland and involves the use of the S-Bahn, a type of local train service in Germany. The court emphasized the role of parents in practicing the journey with their children, stating that the child can practice using the S-Bahn and the further school route with their parents.
The court rejected the establishment of a school special transport between the place of residence and the nearest elementary school in a neighboring town. The affected students were advised to use the S-Bahn connection with the S1.
The parents of a boy argued that the school route is overall too dangerous for a second-grader and traffic beginner. However, the court did not find the school route to present any particular obstacles beyond those typically encountered in road traffic. The decision states that the entire school route of the affected child does not present any particular obstacles.
Railway crossings on the school route are equipped with barriers or underpasses, ensuring safety for the young commuters. The court did not establish a school special transport for the child's school route, relying on the existing infrastructure and the role of parents in ensuring their child's safety.
As per the ruling, the parties involved have two weeks to appeal against the decision to the Higher Administrative Court of Saxony. The decision marks a significant step towards encouraging independence and responsibility in young students while ensuring their safety during their school journey.
[1] Dresden Administrative Court ruling on the use of S-Bahn by elementary school students for their school route in the Saxon Switzerland region. [3] No further search evidence of multiple rulings by the Dresden Administrative Court on this specific issue was found as of August 2025.
In light of the court's decision, the affected students may utilize community aid in the form of their parents' guidance as they practice using the S-Bahn for their school route. This decision emphasizes the importance of education-and-self-development, such as vocational training in using public transportation, for young students.
