Transport to sixth forms and colleges - frequently asked questions

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Index of Contents

Eligibility to Transport for students aged 16 - 19

I am starting sixth form/college. Can I get any assistance with transport?

Transport assistance can be given to pupils attending their local sixth form/college, who live 3 miles or more from the establishment. For further details of the designated sixth form/college for your address, please refer to the Student Transport Advice Network (STAN). This is a discretionary offer of help which the Council provides and a travel pass costs £400 for the year,. The Council picks up the rest of the cost as this is a subsidised scheme to encourage students into Further Education.A further discount may apply to students from low income families. An application form is to be completed and returned to the Education Transport team together with payment, which can be by direct debit, cheque or credit card. For further details please see the STAN (Student Transport Advice Network). Passes will not be released until payment has been made.

I am in receipt of benefits; can I get free or reduced transport?

The pass may be offered at a discounted price of £140 if your household income is £20,818 or less. Your application for transport needs to be made before 30 June 2011 (especially if you wish to pay by Direct Debit). Therefore, please complete the transport application form and send it to Wiltshire Council as soon as possible - your evidence of benefits/income can be sent in later and a refund given for any overpayment made.

I will be attending a faith preference school, what help with transport will I get?

Parents may choose to send their child to a school which is supported by the religious faith followed by the child and his/her family.The cost is still £400 per year and confirmation will be sought from your priest or minister.

Will I receive a pass while my application is being assessed?

Passes will not be released until an application has been assessed and payment or proof of benefits or income has been received.

I am attending a sixth form/college further away. Can I still get help with the travel costs?

If the course you are studying is essential for continuation into Higher Education or into a particular career, you may qualify for assistance under this scheme. Details of the information and evidence required are shown on the application form.

In some cases, Wiltshire Council are able to provide transport to an alternative sixth form or college for the same cost as transport to the designated college. Please note that this is based on the cost to the council (not the public transport cost to the customer). Please complete and return an application form and we will advise as to whether this applies in your case. Due to contract changes year upon year, if assisted transport is given in year one of your course, the County Council cannot guarantee that the same situation may apply in subsequent years.

What is the upper age limit for transport assistance?

If a student starts a further education course before they are aged 19 years, then transport can be provided until the end of the course. If a student is over the age of 19 at the beginning of the course, then they should speak to the college about Learner Support Funds.

Is transport provided to Higher Education Courses? (e.g. Degree, HND, NVQ4)

No - please refer to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/student-awards for details of any financial assistance that may be available.

I am moving house; am I still entitled to transport assistance?

The eligibility will need to be re-assessed from your new address. Please contact the Passenger Transport Unit on 01225 713396 with your new details.

Am I really expected to walk 3 miles to school/college each day?

This is a national standard used to measure entitlement to free School/College Transport. The distance is measured along the shortest walking route between the home and school/college. Parents can be confused by this and believe that we expect the pupil or student to walk to school, but it is just termed a walking route because in some areas part of the measurement may be along paths and not roads. Nobody expects pupils/students necessarily walk but it is for parents to take responsibility for getting them to and from school/college if they live under the statutory distance.

Can I get a petrol allowance?

A petrol allowance can only be given to parents only if there is no suitable bus/train/taxi running in the area, or where, due to exceptional circumstances, your own transport would be more appropriate. Please contact the Passenger Transport unit for an application form and we will let you know whether this can be authorised.

I will be attending a ‘taster day’ at my new school/college. Is transport provided?

Unfortunately, there is no entitlement to school transport for pupils/students attending taster days and you will need to make your own arrangements to get there by fare-paying bus/lift/walking or cycling.

I will be attending a work experience placement; will I be entitled to free transport?

Unfortunately, there is no entitlement to school transport for pupils attending work experience placements and you will need to make your own arrangements to get there by fare-paying bus/lift/walking or cycling. Ask your work experience organiser if they have made any arrangements for transport.

Where else may I be able to get financial help from?

Colleges have limited funding available that can be used to assist students in financial difficulties (including assisting with transport), alternatively there are various charities that may help. For further details, please refer to http://www.wstan.info/wiltshire-post16-student-transport-scheme/other-source-financial-help.htm

Applying for Transport

Where can I get an application form for transport?

Please contact the Customer Care Unit on 0300 4560100, and that you are studying at sixth form/college and require a transport assistance application form. Alternatively, you can download an application form from the STAN website. Forms are also available at Schools and Colleges in Wiltshire.

After I have applied for transport what happens next?

Once your transport entitlement has been assessed, you will receive a letter from the Education Transport Team.

How long does it take to process an application form?

If you are requiring transport to start in the Autumn term, please return your completed form to the Transport Department by the 30 June 2011. At any other time of the year, please allow 3 weeks.

Do I have to re-apply each year?

Students over 16 need to apply for a new pass each year, before 30 June 2011.

If information changes on the travel application form who needs to know?

Please contact the Passenger Transport Unit on 01225 713397 if you have a change of details such as changing address or changing school/college part-way through your course. The Entitlement Team will have to re-assess your application and they will write to you as soon as possible after you have informed them of this.

When do I find out if I have a place on transport?

Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive a confirmation letter from the Passenger Transport Unit. The transport arrangements will then be made and the bus/rail pass(es) will be sent to your Sixth Form or College, to be collected on your first day. If you are unsure of the transport arrangements for the first day, please telephone STAN on 01225 713397.

I have received a letter telling me that transport assistance has been refused; who do I contact for further information and what happens next?

Please refer to the transport policy. If you wish to appeal against the decision, please write to the Passenger Transport Unit, including as much information and evidence as possible (such as copies of pages from the UCAS guide and letters of refusal from other establishments). Assistance is sometimes provided by Further Education establishments; please contact them to see if they can help in your case.

Transport Arrangements

What should I do if my school or college bus is late or does not turn up?

While we expect all our school/college buses to run on time, unexpected delays and problems may occur from time to time. If your school/college bus does not arrive, please wait at the bus stop until 30 minutes after the bus is due, then ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365.

How do I find out the times of a School or College bus?

Information on school and college buses in Wiltshire can be obtained by ringing the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365.

Students who are being issued with a bus pass by the Council should also find this information included on the backing card which the pass is attached to. Please remember that students should always be at their bus stop at least 5 minutes before their bus is due.

I want to travel on a different school bus or get on at a different stop - is this possible?

Students are only able to travel on the bus for which their pass has been issued. If there is more than one bus serving your area, it may be possible for you to change buses if there is space available - please ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365 to find out if this is possible. Please also ring this number if you wish to change your pick up point,

What if I need to stay behind after school?

Transport is normally only provided at the start and end of the normal school/college day.

We regret that it is not possible for us to provide extra transport for those students who stay behind for extra-curricular activities. However, occasionally, we may be able to arrange for your bus pass to be accepted on an ordinary bus service if one is available at no extra cost - please ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365 if you need this facility.

I have left something on my school/college bus - how do I get it back?

Please ring the bus company direct on the telephone number shown on the backing card which the bus pass was attached to. If you cannot find this, please ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365 and we will do our best to help (please note that it may take a few days for your property to be recovered and that you may have to go to the company’s office to collect it. A small administration fee may also be charged by the bus company).

What happens if there is bad weather?

Please listen to your local radio station to see if your school is closed or if the bus has been cancelled. If there is no announcement, go to your pick up point for the normal time but wrap up warm as the bus may get delayed en route. If the bus has not arrived 30 minutes after it is due, please ring the Council’s Education Transport Hotline on 01225 713365 for advice. In bad weather, it may be necessary for the bus company to cancel the morning school journey at short notice if they do not believe that they can reach the school safely.

I am a bus/ taxi operator and would like to provide school/college transport contracts services contracts for the Council - who should I contact ?

Please email your name and address to us at publictransport@wiltshire.gov.uk or ring 01225 713578 so that we can send you an application form.

Travel Passes

How can I apply for a bus pass?

Please complete an application form for Post-16 Transport. A copy of this form can be downloaded from the STAN or collected from your school/college. Alternatively please from the Customer Care Unit on 0300 456 0100 and request for a form to be sent out to you in the post.

I have lost my bus pass, can I get another one?

Please go to Student Services/School Office and request a lost ticket form which includes a 2-week temporary pass. Complete and send this form, together with a payment of £10.00 (cheque or PO payable to Wiltshire Council) to the Passenger Transport Unit.

My pass has become damaged, what should I do?

Please go to Student Services/School Office and request a replacement ticket form which includes a 2-week temporary pass. Complete and send this form, together with the damaged pass, to the Passenger Transport Unit.

What do I do if the details are wrong on my pass?

Please go to Student Services/School Office and request a replacement ticket form which includes a 2-week temporary pass. Complete and send this form, together with the incorrect pass, to the Passenger Transport Unit.

I no longer need a travel pass, can I get a refund?

If you apply and pay for a Post-16 Pass but do NOT start your course, the school or college will return the pass to us and we will issue a full refund of your payment as soon as possible.

If you leave your course part-way through, you MUST return the pass to us, with a covering letter. A partial refund will be made, according to when we receive the returned pass.

Complaints and Further Information

My child is being bullied on transport, what will be done about it?

If you suspect that your child may be being bullied whilst travelling to or from school, report the matter to the school and to Transport Support and Training Team within the Passenger Transport Unit (01225 713578 / 713253). The Transport Support and Training Team will request a driver's report, obtain CCTV evidence (if available) and a Bus Prefects report. We will then investigate the issues raised.

What do I do if I have concerns about a taxi or bus operator?

Contact the Transport Support and Training Team within Passenger Transport Unit Unit (01225 713578 / 713253) and give details of your child’s transport with your specific concerns. Depending on the concerns raised, the Transport Support and Training Team will then implement a full investigation and take any necessary action to ensure that the concern is resolved in the shortest possible time.

I am concerned with the safety of my child’s transport?

Contact Transport Support and Training Team within Passenger Transport Unit Unit (01225 713578 / 713253) and give details of your child’s transport with your specific concerns. Depending on the concerns raised, Transport Support and Training Team will then implement a full investigation and take any necessary action to ensure that the concern is resolved in the shortest possible time.

Contact Details (LiveLink)

Multiple Contacts:
eMail: passengertransport@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01225 713397
Out of hours:
Fax: 01225 713172
Postal Address:

Passenger Transport Unit
Wiltshire Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN

In Person:
DX:

Last updated: 8 June 2011

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