Post-16 travel support for students

Latest update – 30 August 2024

We are still being notified of student details from colleges so there is currently a delay in organising travel for students.

Until we receive this information, we cannot arrange transport.

This means we will not be able to provide transport for the start of the college term and you will need to make arrangements to take your young person to and from college during this period. We aim to have the transport in place by the end of September 2024.

We understand this may cause inconvenience for both families and the college. To help with this, you might be entitled to a contribution towards costs incurred during this period through our Personal travel budgets scheme. Please contact travel.coordination@southampton.gov.uk for further details.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this period of disruption.

There are two types of travel support available to students who live in Southampton and are of sixth form age:

1. Support through local education and training providers

Discounts and concessionary fares are often available to learners through their college, education or training providers by applying for a bursary.

See what help is available in Southampton and neighbouring areas, details about that bursary and the criteria to apply on the School Travel Policy.

You can also find out about the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund from GOV.UK.

2. Support from us

There is no automatic eligibility for travel support after the age of 16 but we have the discretion to determine what travel support is necessary to help a young person’s attendance.

We can help with travel if you or your child is either:

• A student between the ages of 16 and 19 years old, with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and who attends a school, or further education provision, or has a place on an apprenticeship
• An ‘adult learner’ between the ages of 19 and 25 years old in further education, and their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) says that travel support is needed

Who is eligible for school travel support from us?

As well as the above, they must:

• Attend the nearest college that offers an appropriate course. This is a course that helps the student to meet their employment objectives or is specifically designed to meet the student's Special Educational Needs
• Have a Statement of Special Educational Needs or an EHCP maintained by the Local Authority until they complete their secondary education 
• Be under 25 years of age on 31 August of the year in which they start their course

They must meet all four of these requirements.

For more information you can read our School Travel Policy.

Next steps

If you think you are eligible for support from us, Apply for post-16 travel support.