Appendix A – Existing transport support and discounts to all pupils of sixth form age

Transport and Travel Support

Active travel

Active Travel is the term used to describe walking, cycling, wheeling or using existing public transport to get around the city in a way that is healthy for people and better for the environment. Students who are able to do so, are encouraged to travel to school or college using Active Travel options wherever possible. There’s more information and links to a variety of active travel options here - How we support active and sustainable travel in the city (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

1. Public transport discounts available to young people and students

Learners aged over 16 may access the following concessionary (discounted) fares, discounts, subsidies, passes or travel cards made available by transport providers.

Bus travel

The following schemes are offered by all bus operators in the city:

· up to four children and young people aged 19 or under, can travel for free when accompanied by a fare paying adult or an adult concessionary pass holder. This offer applies at all times, including peak times, excluding night-time routes and journeys.

· all bus operators have introduced a 50p single journey tickets for unaccompanied children or young people under 19. This offer applies to off peak travel times only, excluding night-time routes and journeys.

· special deals are also available to young people who are doing an apprenticeship

To get these lower fares, bus operators accept various forms of ID.

· Photo ID on buses

On services run by Brighton & Hove Buses, the BusID allows you to load tickets straight onto the card by an online account, use it to accompany a child mobile-ticket on the app, or to pay a reduced cash fare from the driver direct. BusID can also be used as an ID on any other bus operators, except Stagecoach.

Discounted travel is also available to Brighton & Hove Carers Card holders. To apply you must:

· support a child or adult who could not manage without this help

· not receive payment for supporting this person 

· support someone who lives in Brighton & Hove

You can find more information here - Apply for a carers' card (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Read more information about bus discounts for young people and bus discounts for students.

· Disabled Persons bus pass

The Disabled Person’s Bus Pass offers free travel on buses at any time of day. Students of any age with a physical or learning difficulty may be eligible. There is no restriction for Brighton & Hove residents using the Disabled Person’s Bus Pass providing the journey starts or finishes in Brighton & Hove.

More information and the application form are available by visiting the link - How to apply for a disabled person's bus pass (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Rail travel

Discounts for 16- and 17-year-olds

There are several travel discount options available to 16- and 17-year-olds.

· 16-17 Saver

16- and 17-year-olds with the 16-17 Saver will be eligible for 50% off standard Anytime, Off-Peak, Advance and Season tickets. The 16-17 Saver is available to buy for £30 on the 16-17 Saver website.

The 16-17 Saver is valid for one year or up until the holder’s 18th birthday, whichever comes first. However, season tickets bought with a 16-17 Saver discount before it expires, can be used for up to 4 months after the expiry date.

· Unizone student tickets

If you’re studying in or around Brighton or Worthing, the Unizone ticket gives you unlimited travel at a discount.  Read more about Southern Rail's Unizone student tickets. 

· Young person's railcard

Young people aged 16 to 25 can purchase a young person’s railcard that entitles them to one third off travel throughout Britain after 10am on weekdays and off peak.

Students may also find the Traveline website helpful for planning any public transport journeys to and from school and college. National Rail Enquiries gives details for journey planning for those travelling only by train.

3.2 Travel support from schools and colleges

Some further education colleges within Brighton & Hove have their own travel schemes and parents and students are strongly advised to contact their preferred college to find out more.

· The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help young people overcome specific barriers to participation so that they can remain in education.

There are two types of bursaries:

1. A vulnerable bursary of up to £1,200 for young people defined in specific groups e.g., those in care, care leavers, those in receipt of Income Support, or Universal Credit in place of Income Support; those in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance and Disability of Personal Independence Payments in their own right (see above link for more information about eligibility).

The eligibility criteria are within the link above.

2. Discretionary bursaries which schools and colleges award to meet individual needs, for example, to help with the cost of transport, meals, books and equipment.

Schools and colleges are responsible for managing both types of bursary. Young people who want to apply for support from the bursary fund should contact their school or college to make an application. This applies equally to apprentices or those who are currently, or in danger of becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

Adult learners over 19 can also apply to get a discretionary bursary if the learner is over 19 and either:

· continuing on a course started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ’19+ continuer’)

· have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

All students should first discuss with their school or college student support service whether they may be eligible with transport costs from this fund.

If you are a student on a low income and you have applied, but been refused any bursary funding, you can appeal to the council and ask to be considered for ‘exceptional circumstances financial support.’ You are unlikely to be successful in your appeal unless you can demonstrate that you are on a low income and that your bursary request has been refused.

· Hardship Fund

University settings have funds allocated to them to assist the most disadvantaged learners to access their course. These funds are called Hardship Funds and can be issued in addition to Bursary Funds.

Parents carers / adult learners should make enquiries to Student Services or Learning Support at their university regarding accessing the Hardship Fund.

· Young parents (Care to Learn)

If you are a young parent under 20 years old, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and related travel costs, up to £160 per child per week, while you are learning.

Care to Learn can help with the cost of:

· childcare, including deposit and registration fees

· a childcare 'taster' session (up to 5 days)

· keeping your childcare place over the summer holidays

· taking your child to the childcare provider

Care to Learn is only available for courses in England that have some public funding. This includes courses that take place in:

· schools

· school sixth forms

· sixth form colleges

· other colleges and learning providers, including Foundation Learning

· your community at Children's Centres

Young parents are also entitled to apply for an Under-19 Bus Only Ticket or for those aged 19 and over can apply for the 19 to 25 card.