travel costs to college

Annie021063

My daughter is hoping to start college next year and we have been looking into travel costs to the college she thinks she would like to go to as it offers the best course for her. Initial investigations show that we could have to pay over £60 a week for train travel; something we simply can't afford. Are there any consessions or travel cards for students? We just miss out on the Oyster and the travel card we looked into with Childtern rail (our local trains) only gives discount if you travel after 10pm and this card is aimed at 16-25 year olds - basically students!!
Am I missing something huge here or is she going to have to get a bus or attend a different college with a less suitable course? Bus travel is an option but I was wondering if I was missing something.
Thanks

my_definition

i believe the 16 - 25 rail card can be used to but weekly passes at the discounted rate - i was able to and my sister can but i think some train stations dont let u do this. If your daughter is a student and not in the age range she can prove shes a student and still get it.

Im in scotland so forgive me if this bits right but dont you have travel expenses claims? Also any loan and or burserys supposed to help with transport. Can i ask how far your daughter is planning to travel? i know people who can pay £14 a day return on trains but if they were in every day theyd just get a cheaper train pass and they are travelling about 2 hours on the train in the morning. If its going to cost that much to travel then has she though about how long it would take? i hope you dont think im rude for bringing this up but i travel 3 hours a day to uni and would gladly cut this down if i could - and my travels only £27 a week

angelofmel

you can buy a railcard for around £26 pounds that may give her 1/3 off her rail travel.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/railcards-discounts/

also have you looked into getting a weekly or season rail pass? its usually a large amount of money up front but in the long run works out that she'll get x number of days/weeks free travel.
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/s/seasonticket/calculator

Also have you looked into other methods of transport? is there a bus she can use instead as that might be cheeper?

and finally has she spoken to the transport department at her college? sometimes they offer deals with local transport companies to provide subsidised passes

my_definition

angelofmel wrote: »

you can buy a railcard for around £26 pounds that may give her 1/3 off her rail travel.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/railcards-discounts/

also have you looked into getting a weekly or season rail pass? its usually a large amount of money up front but in the long run works out that she'll get x number of days/weeks free travel.
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/s/seasonticket/calculator

Also have you looked into other methods of transport? is there a bus she can use instead as that might be cheeper?

and finally has she spoken to the transport department at her college? sometimes they offer deals with local transport companies to provide subsidised passes

theres a 10% discount code of the rail card on the vouchers board

leopard85

Rail cards such as the 16-25 are not valid before 10am unless the journey is more than £12. You also can't use them to buy weekly or season tickets (I've had one for 6 years). Monthly tickets are your best bet as they will give you reduced fares, especially if she uses the train at the weekend too. Yearly tickets offer the best value for money, but not appropriate if she only needs it during term time. Trains and public transport in general is overpriced in this country. How old is she and how far does she need to go? Can she get a little scooter or get a lift with another pupil for a small amount? Check with the college to see if there are discounts or even loans for season tickets. I don't think there is much they can do once a child is over 16 though.

rowansway

Contact the transport section of your local education authority/council - my daughter started at college in September and her travel fees would have been around £1000pa. Our LEA has a policy where no student pays more than around £500pa per year - we've saved quite a bit. Hope this helps.

Oldernotwiser

You may get help with fares if the college your daughter wants to go to is the nearest one that offers the course. If she just happens to fancy going to a college further away then she's unlikely to get any help.

Chris_P_6

Natwest student accounts offer a free Student Railcard, info on their site (I can't post links yet but just Google "Natwest student railcard" and it's the top result)

I'm a student and I have this, and it's really useful. Especially considering I had to set up a student bank account anyway and it took no extra work to get the railcard.