Post 16 Transport Policy

The Post-16 policy has been agreed between the Local Authority, Transport Partnership and transport operators.
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The full Post 16 Transport Partnership Policy.pdf (9 pages, 57kb) statement is available.

Durham County Council operates a part-contribution travel assistance scheme to help full-time students aged between 16 and 19 years (those students under 19 at start of course) access further education opportunities. Students must reside within County Durham and be following a full-time course of study over 2 miles from their home. This policy does not entitle students attending independent fee paying establishments to a part contribution for travel. The level of travel assistance is based on a distance tariff as follows:

Distance of 6th Form/College	Termly Cash Allowance
0-2 miles	No assistance
over 2-5 miles	£75
over 5-10 miles	£110
Over 10 miles	£130

The part-contribution scheme is designed to ensure that students, who are resident in County Durham and commence their journeys within County Durham have access to discounted travel on local bus and commercial bus services at a reasonable cost. Alternatively students have an option of receiving their part-contribution in the form of a personal cheque.

Discounts and Subsidies on Travel Cards available to Students

A termly payment (in the form of a cheque made payable to the transport operator) towards the purchase of a discounted student travel card. The following operator student discount schemes are being offered to students:

Arriva Student Travel Pass: £185 per term and gives unlimited travel including weekends and evenings on all Arriva services.

Go North East: Get Around Ticket costing £150.00 per term for 16 weeks of travel. Students have the option of buying single weekly tickets, but will not gain the discount of bulk purchase.

Garnetts Coaches: To Bishop Auckland College and New College, Durham - 5-day travel permit covering one term determined by the distance travelled, i.e. 2-5 miles - £75.00, over 5 miles – 10 miles £110.00, over 10 miles - £130.

Weardale Motor Services: Wolsingham School and Community College only - offering discounts on carriage fares. The following stage points to apply: Bishop Auckland, Crook, Wolsingham.

Concessionary Travel (Spare Seats)

As an alternative to receiving part-contribution payments, students can ask to be considered for a concessionary seat on a school bus. Concessionary travel is only available if a school bus contracted to Durham County Council, for school transport, has more seats available than there are entitled passengers.

Scholar services and other fare-paying public service vehicles are therefore not included.

Students provided with a free seat on a college/school bus must notify the County Council immediately as students will no longer be entitled to receive part-contribution travel assistance.

Students Unable to Travel Independently

Wherever possible, a young person with learning difficulties and/or disabilities will be encouraged to travel on public transport, especially when this is considered to be a factor in developing their independent, life and social skills. Where the student is able to utilise public transport part-contribution will be paid.

It is recognised that for certain students, independent travel is not always possible. Such students will be considered individually and according to their individual needs and their individual circumstances reviewed each year. Any application requesting exceptional circumstances to be taken into consideration must be supported by written evidence from relevant medical/health professionals.

Young people (including those aged over 19 years) with a learning disability who are unable to travel independently may be entitled to a bus pass which their carer can also use if accompanying the young person. This allows travel on public transport with support with no cost to the carer.

From September 2008 County Durham Transport Partnership will have regard to the Tyne and Wear Independent Travel programme. The programme offers an independent travel training programme for all students aged 16-19 in full-time education.

The purpose of the project is to:

• Promote independent travel for all young people who are currently being provided with transport funded by public bodies;
• Introduce independent travel programmes into the school and college setting.

College Buses

Derwentside College will provide a free shuttle bus that will transport students between the Consett and Lanchester campus. Travel times available on request from the College.

For East Durham & Houghall College free buses operate from Sunderland and Hartlepool calling at Peterlee then Houghall, Durham. Bus passes are required and are available from the College Student Services.

Appeals

You can appeal against the decision of the County Council relating to the provision of transport entitlement. Appeals must be made in writing and forwarded, together with any supporting evidence, to:

the Pupil Services Officer
Children and Young People’s Service
County Hall

Each case will be considered individually.

How to Apply

All students need to complete the County Council’s application form (F12) and return it to Transport Entitlement Team, Children and Young People’s Services, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UJ . Students need to apply on an annual basis no later than 1 October. For those applications which are received on or after 1 October, applications will be provided with travel assistance from the date the form was received. Parents may want to return the form by proof of posting or recorded delivery as, in the event of non-receipt, proof of posting will be required.

It is advisable to apply early as large numbers of applications are submitted in the weeks leading up to and after the start of term. Students will not receive reimbursement of any fares paid before receiving their part-contribution.

Additional Information

The following websites and additional information may be of benefit to students.

Transport to Sixth Form and Colleges - Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).pdf (5 pages, 46kb)

Connexions/Help4teens

Help4teens is aimed at all young people aged 13-19 in County Durham. It provides up to date, impartial and authoritative information on a wide range of topics to help young people including careers, employment, training, education as well as health, relationships, travel and transport, volunteering, about Connexions, money matters, where you can get help and much more.

To check out Help4teens, please visit Connexions - Durham