To support access to further education the Council expanded its Home to School Transport Policy to include assisted travel for Post 16 students. However there are certain requirements to be entitled to this assistance.
Post 16 Transport Policy from September 2011
There are certain requirements to be entitled to assistance. The main rules are as follows:
- Students must live in Torbay Council’s area.
- Students must be under 19 years of age at 1 September 2011.
- Students must attend full-time.
- Students must either:
- a) live more than three miles from the School/College attended in the Torbay area
OR - b) the School/College attended is outside the Torbay Area but within daily traveling distance and the student has a compelling reason as to why they must study at this School/College i.e they cannot find suitable courses within Torbay
- a) live more than three miles from the School/College attended in the Torbay area
How do I apply for assistance?
Application forms are sent out to all year 11 Students at Torbay schools and all year 12 & 13 Students currently receiving transport in May 2011.
You can also apply by completing the Post 16 Transport Application Form (See Related Tasks) and send it back to the address indicated at the top of the form.
An online application is also available (See Related Tasks).
You will be sent a notification of eligibility in the form of an invoice. For Students who are eligible to free transport a notification slip will be sent to you. Any Students who are granted taxi transport will receive a notification of transport letter with pick up times, name of operator etc.
Parents/Students are expected to make a contribution towards the cost of the travel pass. Please note that these charges are reviewed annually.
For the 2011/12 Academic Year, Torbay Council are operating two seperate charging regimes - one for South Devon College and the other for NON South Devon College Students.
South Devon College Students:
The travel pass will cost £250.00 for the full Academic Year. You can also split the £250.00 payment to 10 x £25.00 monthly payments, or termly at £84.00 for Autumn, £83.00 for Spring and £83.00 for Summer. All travel passes are issued termly.
Free transport will be granted to Students who are estranged from their Family so are living independently and claiming a qualifying benefit in their own right OR eligible for a South Devon College Learner Support Fund. Please contact South Devon College for details on this.
NON South Devon College Students:
The travel pass will cost £445.00 for the full Academic Year. You can also split the £445.00 payment to 10 x £44.50 monthly payments, or termly at £149.00 for Autumn, £148.00 for Spring and £148.00 for Summer. All travel passes are issued termly.
For Student's or their Parent/Guardian's who are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, the travel pass will cost £100.00 for the full Academic Year. You can also split the £100.00 payments to 10 x £10.00 monthly payments, or termly at £34.00 for Autumn, £33.00 for Spring and £33.00 for Summer.
Free transport will be granted to Students who are estranged from their Family so are living independently and claiming a qualifying benefit in their own right.
You can pay by the following methods:
- Cheque
- Credit/Debit card
- Direct Debit
- Cash at a local Post Office
The qualifying benefits are as follows:
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit BUT not entitled to Working Tax Credit and the annual household income does not exceed £16,190
- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance (IBJSA)
- Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Modes of Travel Assistance
When a Student is eligible for assistance with travel to School/College, it is a matter for the Council to determine the mode of assistance which is safe, secure and cost effective. Arrangements include public bus route, ferry, contract coach, contract minibus, contract taxi, parental petrol acknowledgement, walking escort.
Please note that photos are required for travel passes. Please visit the Modes of Travel page for further information
What if I am not entitled?
An appeal can be made on the Council’s decision on entitlement to assistance. Please visit the School Transport Appeals page for further information and guidance.
You can also contact Stagecoach 
to enquire about the tickets they offer.
to enquire about the tickets they offer.Related Documents
All documents open in a new window. Need more help with documents? View the Document Help page.
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Post 16 Transport Partnership Policy Statement
Transport policy statement for learners aged 16-18 in further education and continuing learners aged 19 and over.
Last updated: 03/10/2011, 11:42am (78 KB)
Related Websites
- Devon County Council: School & Social Care Transport
- Directgov: Money to Learn
- Paignton Community College
- South Devon College
- St Cuthbert Mayne School
- Torquay Boys Grammar School
- Torquay Grammar School for Girls
- Westlands School and Technology College
Related Tasks
- Apply - School Transport: Post 16 Transport
- Apply - School Transport Direct Debit (Printable)
- Apply - Post 16 Transport (South Devon College)
- Apply - Post 16 Transport (Non South Devon College)
- Feedback - School Transport
- Feedback - Complaints
- Feedback - General
Contact Children's Services Transport Team
- Tel: 01803 208240
- Email: cstransport@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 207699
