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Post-16 Travel Assistance

Autumn Term Deadlines

Applications and payments must be received by Sunday 27 July 2025 in order for students to receive their travel pass/arrangements for the start of the Autumn Term.

Applications and payments received from Monday 28 July 2025 will still be accepted. However, travel passes/arrangements will not commence until Monday 3 November. Students will need to arrange and fund their own travel arrangements in the meantime.


What's the cheapest way of travelling?

Where possible, students aged 16-25 should travel to their school or college using public transport.  This is likely to be the cheapest way of travelling.

General Information: 
www.cornwall.gov.uk/publictransport

National Concession Bus Pass: 
www.cornwall.gov.uk/concessionaryfares

Ticket Information/Prices (Transport for Cornwall): 
www.transportforcornwall.co.uk/#tickets

Bus/Train Times (Traveline SouthWest): 
www.travelinesw.com

What other schemes are available?

If public transport is unavailable or unsuitable, students should contact their school or college.  Many schools and colleges also offer their own transport schemes.  See some examples below.

Callywith College:
Cornwall Council does not have access to Callywith College’s own bus network.
Please seek support through the college’s own scheme.

www.callywith.ac.uk/transport

Cornwall College: 
www.cornwall.ac.uk/transport

Helston Community College: 
www.helston.cornwall.sch.uk/web/transport_to_college/610486

Petroc: 
www.petroc.ac.uk/life-at-petroc/advice-guidance/travel/bus

Truro and Penwith College: 
www.truro-penwith.ac.uk/how-we-support-you/transport


What does Cornwall Council offer?

Students Aged 16-18

Cornwall Council provides a subsidised travel scheme for eligible students.  The payment contribution for the 2025/26 academic year is £674 per student.  This payment contribution is required for all students - including those with an Education, Health and Care Plan.  This can be paid in full, or termly in advance – see breakdown below.

  • Autumn Term- £255
  • Spring Term- £255
  • Summer Term - £164

If you cannot afford the payment contribution, please ask your school or college about their 16-19 Bursary Fund.  This is provided to schools and colleges by Central Government to support students aged 16 to 19 with the cost of staying in education or training.  National guidance advises that the money students (or their school or college) receive from the 16-19 Bursary Fund can be spent on the required payment contribution towards travel costs.

Students Aged 19-25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan

Cornwall Council offers free travel assistance for eligible students.


Who is eligible?

You can apply for a place at any school or college but you may not necessarily be eligible for travel assistance.  The eligibility criteria for travel assistance is set out within Cornwall's Post-16 Transport Policy - see link below. 

We recommend that you read this document before: 

  • applying for a school or college place
    and
  • applying for travel assistance

If you are unsure if you are eligible for travel assistance, please contact us.Post-16 Travel Assistance Policy 2025/26


What travel arrangements will be provided?

If eligible, travel assistance will be provided by way of a bus pass. This may be for:

  • public transport
  • a bus contracted to Cornwall Council solely for transporting students to and from school or college

If travel via bus is unavailable or (evidenced to be) unsuitable, alternative travel arrangements will be provided.


How to apply?

You can apply using the link below.

Apply for Post-16 Travel Assistance

Need help?

Most issues can be resolved online, it's the quickest and most convenient way to get help.

Use our contact us form