The Nottinghamshire County Council runs a travel scheme to enable all
post-16 students to access education.
Students
are advised to consider what transport services and ticketing/fare schemes are
available locally before deciding if it is in their interest to apply to join
the scheme. To assist students in doing this a journey planner and information
about public transport services is available on our buses page.
Post-16 Travel Assistance Scheme 2011/12
Who is eligible to join the scheme?
To
participate in the scheme a student must:
- be
a Nottinghamshire County resident (excludes students resident in Nottingham
City)
- be
attending a full time course (a minimum of 12 hours per week of supervised
study) at a participating special school, sixth form or FE college (the scheme
does not apply to higher education courses or universities)
- live
more than three miles from the school/college using the nearest available
walking route
- be
over compulsory school age but under 19 years of age on 1 September 2011
or
- have
begun a course of education and training at a participating establishment before attaining the age
of 19 and continue to attend that course.
There are some further entitlements and additional benefits available for pupils with a disability or special educational needs.
How are
applications for assistance assessed?
Applications are assessed by officers of the Council’s
Transport and Travel Services Department. Full conditions of the scheme and
details of how to apply are included in the Post-16 Travel Scheme booklet [PDF].
What type of
assistance is available?
The Council will endeavour to provide the necessary
transport services but cannot guarantee to do so and will identify the most appropriate
and cost effective transport service for each student. The arrangement may not offer choice of
operator, route or service except where these are available and there is no
extra cost incurred.
There are three types of travel
assistance available. Students may apply for one of the following:
- An
annual Half Fare Pass costing £99.00
per year which entitles the student to travel at half the adult fare on a bus
or train service to their school or college (currently not available on the
tram). Full payment is required on application.
The travel pass may be used on the designated bus services ONLY, for one
journey to and from school or college each day started before 10.00pm, Monday
to Friday during term time.
- A
Season Pass is available to students
travelling on specific school bus services and some other services arranged by
Nottinghamshire County Council. This will allow the student to travel between
home and school/college without having to pay a daily fare. The travel pass can
ONLY be used on the designated bus service for one journey to and from
school/college each day, started before 10.00pm, Monday to Friday during term
time. If you indicate on the application form that you would like a season
pass, a price quote will be sent to you. The price is calculated on half the
annual adult fare plus the annual charge of £99. Students who purchase this
pass may then travel without further daily payment on the specified service.
You may pay for the season pass in full or by instalments as follows:
- Initial payment to be made when you accept the
quote
- 2nd instalment by 1
December 2011
- 3rd instalment by 1
February 2012
- Travel Allowance up to a maximum of £150 per year may be offered in
exceptional circumstances instead of a half fare travel or season pass. This may be where no public transport or
other transport services exist or where the school or college is outside the
Nottinghamshire boundary. All travel
allowances are paid termly in arrears and attendance must be certified by the
school or college. Students sharing the
same vehicle will be paid half the travel allowance each. Late applications made after the start of the
academic year will result in a reduction in the amount of grant available.
Applications are assessed by officers of the Council’s
Transport and Travel Services Department. Full conditions of the scheme and details
of how to apply are included in the Post-16 Travel Scheme booklet [PDF].
Students with Special Transport Needs
Who
is eligible to join the scheme?
To
participate in the scheme a student must:
- be
a Nottinghamshire County resident (excludes students resident in Nottingham
City)
- be
attending a full time course (a minimum of 12 hours per week of supervised
study) at a participating special school, sixth form or FE college (the scheme
does not apply to higher education courses or universities)
- the
three mile distance criterion will be waived for students who have a special
transport need
- be
over compulsory school age but under 25 years of age on 1 September 2011
How are applications for special
transport assessed?
A special transport need is assessed
by officers of the Children, Families and Cultural Services Department, based upon
medical advice and other evidence (such as the Disability Living Allowance
mobility component) as required. A
special transport need may arise where the student:
- is
unable to walk or travel safely when accompanied to the special school, sixth
form or college
- is
unable to use public transport when accompanied.
What type of
assistance is available?
Students
with special transport needs may apply for support if in education between the
ages of 16 and 25. If eligible, the
Council will identify the most appropriate and cost effective transport service
for each student. The type of transport
arrangements and additional support will depend on the student’s needs and will
normally be in the form of:
- additional
adult support to access public transport services
- the
provision of a minibus, taxi or wheelchair accessible vehicle
- additional
supervision where appropriate in addition to the driver
Students requiring special transport arrangements will
normally travel to and from the nearest suitable special school, sixth form or
college that can meet their educational and support needs. This will ensure the effective use of
resources whilst promoting choice and managing public funds in a prudent
manner. Transport services provide one journey to and from school/college at
the start and the end of the day. Transport is not provided to students to
travel from their school/college during the day to access off-site courses or
activities.
Colleges, special schools and sixth forms are encouraged to
provide independent travel training within the context of independent living.
Full conditions of the scheme and
details of how to apply are included in the Post-16 Travel Scheme booklet [PDF].
Right of Review
If a student is refused travel
assistance, he/she may request a review of the decision. A request for a review
must be made in writing, giving full details of the reason for the request, and
sent together with any supporting information to:
The
Transport Development Officer, Children, Families and Cultural Services, Nottinghamshire County Council, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2
7QP.
If travel assistance is approved but a student is not
satisfied with the transport provided then he/she may ask for the provision to
be reviewed. A request for a review must
be made in writing, giving full details of the reason for the request, together
with any supporting information to:
Transport
and Travel Services, Nottinghamshire County Council, Trent Bridge House, Fox
Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. NG2 6BJ
