1. Introduction
1.1 Part 2 of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 requires Local Authorities to assess the travel needs of all learners under 19 years of age. (A learner must be studying a full-time course and be under 19 years of age on 1 September of the academic year in which the course is undertaken.)
1.2 The Local Authority provides discretionary transport beyond statutory school age for eligible learners living in Gwynedd. Transport will be provided only to the catchment/nearest suitable secondary school designated by the Authority to serve the learner's home address or, in the case of full-time courses with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, to the nearest suitable college campus offering the course. Free transport will be available to learners who live 3 miles or more from the nearest catchment/suitable school or nearest suitable college campus. The Authority will use the distance measured on its Geographic Information System (GIS) from the home address to the eligible school or college to confirm the actual distance.
1.3 The following considerations will apply when determining the nearest location that offers the course:
- Is the course offered at the nearest catchment/suitable school or nearest suitable college campus at the same level as that offered at the learner's preferred school/college?
- Is the course offered at the nearest catchment/suitable school or nearest suitable college campus delivered through the same language medium as the learner's preferred school/college?
- Does the course offered at the nearest catchment/suitable school or nearest suitable college campus have the same entry requirements as the learner's preferred school/college?
- Does the course offered at the nearest catchment/suitable school or nearest suitable college campus lead to the same qualification as the learner's preferred school/college?
1.4 Learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) will be eligible to benefit from the Authority's Post-16 Transport Scheme for a period of up to four years from the start of their first term.
1.5 This policy applies to travel to the following educational institutions:
- Secondary schools maintained by Cyngor Gwynedd that provide education for Years 12 and 13.
- Special schools maintained by Cyngor Gwynedd that provide education for Years 12, 13 and 14.
- Grŵp Llandrillo Menai campuses at Dolgellau, Pwllheli, Glynllifon, Parc Menai (Bangor), Llangefni and Caernarfon.
Courses available at each institution can be found in their prospectuses, available directly from the institutions.
1.6 If a course location or learner transfers to another educational institution during the academic year, the Post-16 transport criteria will continue to apply.
1.7 Learners have the right to choose any location for their Post-16 education. However, if a learner does not choose the nearest school or college campus offering the course, they will forfeit their entitlement to free transport. A charge of £1 per journey will apply to learners who choose to travel to an out-of-catchment school or a college campus that is not the nearest location offering the course.
1.8 Transport between learning institutions working in partnership with one another will be provided by those partner organisations.
2. Financial Support for Learners
2.1 An Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is available to Post-16 learners attending a local school or college. Eligibility is based on household income. The allowance is intended to assist with travel costs, books and equipment while studying at a school or college as a Post-16 learner. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.wales/education-maintenance-allowance
3. The Post-16 Transport Network
3.1 Due to the geographical nature of Gwynedd, it is not always possible to arrange transport routes that pass every learner's home address. Transport will be available on designated routes serving the relevant institution(s). The Council will notify learners of their designated pick-up and drop-off point. The Council will not provide additional transport to enable learners to reach a pick-up or drop-off point on the route.
4. Applying for Transport
4.1 Information on how to apply for Post-16 transport is available on the Council's website: 16+ Travel Ticket - Cyngor Gwynedd
5. Paying for Seats
5.1 Learners have the right to choose any location for their Post-16 education. However, if a learner does not choose the nearest school or college campus offering the course, they will lose their entitlement to free transport. A charge of £1 per journey will apply to learners who choose to travel to an out-of-catchment school or a college campus that is not the nearest location offering the course.
5.2 Post-16 learners will be required to pay the relevant fee in full for the term before being granted access to Post-16 transport. A discretionary period will be allowed at the start of the Autumn Term for payment of the relevant fee and receipt of the Post-16 Travel Pass, to ensure that all appropriate arrangements are in place. Thereafter, Post-16 learners will be expected to pay the relevant fee in advance at the beginning of each term.
6. Travel Times
6.1 Transport will be available Monday to Friday during school and college terms only.
6.2 Journeys to school or college must be completed before 12:00 noon.
6.3 Return journeys from school or college cannot commence before 1:00 pm. All homeward journeys must begin before 6:00 pm.
7. Mode of Transport
7.1 The Council will provide transport using the most effective and appropriate method. Primarily, the Council will arrange the use of public bus and rail services.
7.2 In addition, the Council may provide transport on buses, minibuses or taxis operating under contract to the Council.
8. Code of Conduct
8.1 When applying for Post-16 transport, learners will be required to declare on the application form that they have understood and agree to comply with the Code of Conduct and that they are aware of the potential consequences of breaching the Code.