Children and Young People

 

 

Travel

Travel takes up a big part of everyday life - travelling to school, college or work, visiting your friends, going shopping or just getting out and about.

Visit the pages listed on the right for more information on travel and transport.

Help with local travel costs

While you're at school you may be able to get help with your travel costs from home to school. There are certain criteria you have to meet, such as living between 2 and 6 miles from your school.

If you're going to a college which is more than 4 miles from your home, and received the maximum Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in the 2010-11 academic year, you may also be able to get help with your travel costs. Support is no longer being offered to new further education students from September 2011. However, a new 16-19 bus scheme is in place. See below for details. 

To find out whether you are eligible, please contact the Transport Coordination Unit at the City Council on 023 8083 3463 (if you live in the east of the city) or 023 8083 3467 (if you live in the west), or you can send them an email.

New 16-19 bus scheme for students attending Southampton's schools and colleges

Academic term tickets are available from Bluestar and First Hampshire for students receiving the 16-19 bursary fund. This will be fully funded from your bursary allocation.

Students who are not eligible for the bursary fund can purchase tickets at the reduced rates agreed with the bus operators.

The tickets include half-term breaks and provide unlimited travel within the city boundary between 6.00am and midnight. Tickets are 30% cheaper than standard 3-monthly ticket prices.

Please check with your school or college for further details.

Help with national travel costs

If you're aged 16-25 (or over 26 and still in full-time education), you can buy a 16-25 Railcard for just £28 for 1 year, or £65 for 3 years. It'll save you 1/3 on most rail fares throughout Great Britain.

For coach travel with National Express, if you're aged 16-26 you can get up to 30% off fares with a Young Persons Coachcard for just £10 a year, or £25 for 3 years.

(Prices accurate January 2012)

Proof of age

If you have trouble proving that you are under 16 in order to get child fares, you can get an Under 16 Pass from First Bus by printing and completing this application form and taking it to a First Travel Shop.

You can also apply for a Smartcities card which has the PASS proof of age hologram on it. Application forms are available from Gateway (One Guildhall Square), Tourist Information or downloadable from the Smartcities website, where you can also request a form be sent to you by post, if you do not have printing facilities.

 

Related Links

 

Travel Links