Are you over the age of 16 and living in Wiltshire?
Do you need assistance with transport to School or College?
If so then Wiltshire County Council may be able to help you...
To assist students who wish to study at a college or school 6th form, Wiltshire County Council offers the following subsidised transport scheme which can significantly reduce daily travel costs:
Who is eligible to join the scheme?
The Wiltshire Post 16 Transport Scheme is open to any Student who is:
- over 16 but under 19 years of age on the 31st August 2007; and
- attending the designated school/college for the town or village that you live; and
- living more than 3 miles from that school or college (measured by the shortest walking route).
If you are over 19 but are entering the second or third year of a 2/3 year course you may also be eligible for the scheme - please ring 01225 713396 for further details.
Who is not eligible for the scheme?
Students are not eligible for the Wiltshire Transport Scheme if they are:
- Living within the boundary of Swindon Borough
- Going into lodgings
- Studying part time
- On block release
- On a Government Training Scheme
- Sponsored by your employer
- Aged 19 or more at the start of term in the first year of their course (see above)
- Studying for a higher diploma (NVQ4/HND)
What if I am not attending my designated School or College?
If you want to attend a school or college that is not the designated one for your area, there are two other ways in which you may be able to qualify for the scheme:
- If the cost to the County Council of transporting you to your preferred school or college is no more than it would be if you attended your designated college, you may also be able to participate in the scheme (check the transport map for your school or college to see if your town or village is marked with a
symbol). - In exceptional circumstances, you may be allowed to participate in the scheme if you are attending a different school or college because your designated school or college does not offer the course you wish to undertake. If this please see the preferred college to find out more.
How much does it cost to join the scheme and what will I get for my money?
To join the scheme costs £360 per annum, which can be paid either in one lump sum or in instalments (see below). The County Council will then issue you with a travel pass which can be used for one journey to and from home on days when your school or college is open. The pass will normally be for use on a specific public or school/college bus service although train passes may be issued in exceptional circumstances.
If the student is in receipt of the maximum level of Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), then the pass can be issued for half price. Evidence of the entitlement will have to be seen by Wiltshire County Council, so it is important that you apply for it as soon as possible. For further details, please see Directgov - EMA.
Even if you have not received your confirmation from them yet, please send in your application for transport to Wiltshire County Council as soon as possible as evidence of EMA can be sent in later.
How do I Join the Scheme?
To join the scheme, you need to fill in a Wiltshire County Council “Post-16 Transport” form. These are now available from any College or Secondary School in Wiltshire or direct from Wiltshire County Council by ringing 01225 713396 or by emailing “buses@wiltshire.gov.uk”. Alternatively, you can download a copy of the Post 16 Transport form in Adobe PDF format or we will guide you through the application process.
You can send this form in to the County Council at any time, but if you want to guarantee that your pass will be available on the first day of term, we strongly advise you post it before 30th June 2008 – even if you are not exactly sure where you will be studying in September. If you are paying for your pass by cheque or postal order, you do not need to send in any money until 1st August, and credit card payments will not be collected until this date.
If you apply after 30th June, you will not be able to pay in instalments and whilst every effort will be made to issue your pass as quickly as possible, it will not be possible to guarantee it will be ready by the start of term. If your plans change, you must inform the County Council immediately, so that a new pass can be produced if you are entitled to one.
How will I get the pass?
Passes will normally be sent to the School or College for you to collect on the first day of term (this means that if you are travelling on a public bus service, you will have to pay the bus driver on the first morning). If you need to know details of the times or fares and have not been sent these by the end of August, please ring the STAN helpline on 01225 757575.
What happens if I don’t start the course or leave part way through the course?
If you apply for a pass but do not start your course, the school or college will return the pass to the County Council so that they can issue a full refund of your payment as soon as possible. If you leave your course part-way through, you must return the pass with a covering letter to us and a partial refund will be issued, if applicable.
How do I get more information?
To find out more about the Wiltshire Post 16 Transport Scheme, please ring the County Council’s Passenger Transport Unit on 01225 713396.
Download the application form for the Wiltshire Post 16 Transport Scheme or let usguide you through the application process.