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County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF
Tel: 0845 600 6400
Fax: 01670 511 413
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri : 8.30am - 5pm

Post 16 Transport

Post 16 Transport

POST 16 STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME

INFORMATION LEAFLET 2009/2010 ACADEMIC YEAR

 

Northumberland County Council provides free student travel. This is available to full-time students attending High School Sixth Forms and Further Education and Specialist Colleges. Students are issued with a travel pass which allows them to make a return journey to and from home to school/college during weekdays and term time only.

To apply online please follow this link http://forms.northumberland.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=GacLSRQ6eFa

If you are applying for the Post 16 Travel scheme online it is important that you print off the Website Application letter, this can be found by following this link Post 16 Web Application Letter 

 

How much does the travel pass cost?

 

Providing the student meets the conditions listed below, the travel pass is issued free of charge.

 

Who can receive assistance?

 

To qualify for assistance under the scheme students must:

 

  • Live in Northumberland
  • Be attending a full-time course of study (minimum 16 hours per week or 450 guided learning hours per year as stated by Learning Skills Council).
  • Live 3 miles or more from the nearest high school or college
  • Be under the age of 19 on 31st August immediately preceding the start of the academic year (Students with special educational needs may be eligible for support until they are at least 21, providing that they are on a continuous course of study).

 

Or if Northumberland County Council decide it is the most suitable place of study for the course (taking into account distance, access and the cost of travel).

 

We cannot help with travel if a similar (not necessarily identical) course is available at a school/college to which it is more suitable to travel.

 

What assistance will I get?

 

Northumberland Council provides transport in the most cost effective manner related to a student’s journey.

 

A travel pass for bus services will normally be issued, however taxis, trains, or parental/student’s own vehicles may be considered if they are the cheapest available option. The decision on the transport allocation rests with the County Council.

 

Students travelling to schools and colleges within the county will be able to use a specific bus service for their journey selected by Northumberland County Council. Those who are travelling out of Northumberland will be issued with a bus pass specific to one commercial operator. If a student uses a service other than those stated by their travel pass they are likely to be charged for using the service.

 

Students are expected to make their own way to the nearest main pick up point. Feeder transport may be provided where necessary. 

 

A student with special educational needs can be provided with transport if they have a specific transport requirement which is specified in the statement of special educational needs and is supported by a referral from their Connexions Advisor.

 

When can I apply for transport support?

 

Students are strongly advised to return their forms as soon as possible to ensure that they are processed before the beginning of the academic year. They may be submitted before exam results are known, however forms will not be considered without an official stamp from their place of study proving enrolment. If there is a change to the information on the application form then you should contact the Integrated Transport Unit at County Hall on 0845 600 6400.

 

Application Timetable

 

  • The scheme will open for applications in June 2009. Students can apply for the transport provision for the year between June and October half term. If the student applies for transport between these dates and they are eligible for transport, we would arrange and fund their transport for the rest of the academic year.
  • Applications received after October half term will be processed, but students would not be allocated transport until Term 2 begins in January, and will be allocated transport for terms 2 and 3 only. There will be no reimbursement of costs in the case of late applications.
  • The scheme will open again from Christmas until February half term. If the student applies for transport between these dates and they are eligible for transport, we will arrange and fund transport for the rest of the academic year. There will be no reimbursement of costs in the case of late applications.
  • Applications received after February half term will be processed, but students would not be allocated transport until Term 3 begins in April, and will be allocated transport for term 3 only. There will be no reimbursement of costs in the case of late applications.
  • The scheme will close completely after Easter holidays.

 

Students are responsible for any fares incurred before the pass is issued and up until 15 working days have elapsed from the date of reciept of the application form by the I.T.U.

 

Appeals

 

If you are refused free transport you will be sent a letter advising you of the reason for the refusal.

 

If you do not agree with the reason for refusal because you believe your personal circumstances have not been considered you can write a letter outlining your case to the School Organasation Manager, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF within 10 working days of the reciept of the refusal letter date.

 

If you still disagree with the Local Authority decision you may appeal to an independent panel.

 

Further Information

 

For further information about this scheme, or to request an application form, please contact the Integrated Transport Unit, on 0845 600 6400 or email

Post16Transport@northumberland.gov.uk.

Alternatively you can write to Transport Network Team, Integrated Transport Unit, Community & Environmental Services Directorate, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF.