The following information applies to new/returning students who were under 16-19 years of age on 1st September of the year in which you apply. Assistance is only given to students who meet our criteria and the Council reviews the policy each year. If travel assistance is awarded in one academic year free transport is not automatically awarded for further years.
Students attending Palmers should apply directly to the college for travel assistance.
If you are a new student or you are starting a new course this year, you should fill in a Post-16 travel application.
Applications forms may be downloaded below (please see how to access PDF files). You should complete an application form as soon as you have been offered a place at the college or 6th Form of you choice.
We assess students under the following criteria:
If you apply to the nearest school/college and are not offered a place, you can be considered for transport to the next nearest school/college. You must attach the letter of refusal to your application for transport to the next nearest that can offer a place.
You may be entitled to transport if you have attended an 11-16 denominational school and wish to attend the nearest school of the appropriate denomination which has a sixth form (you must have been baptised into that faith and provide a baptism certificate with your application).
If you are applying after the start of the academic year, we must receive completed applications before the closing date for the term you wish to commence your transport. These are:
If we do not receive forms by these dates, we cannot guarantee transport will be provided for the start of the school term.
If you are eligible for transport and you are a new student a charge will be made according to where you attend which is set out in the table below.
| Band | Location | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Post-16 schools and colleges in Thurrock | £330 |
| Band 2 | South Essex College Basildon & Southend Campuses | £760 |
| Band 3 | Post-16 schools and colleges outside Thurrock | £1,270 |
There will be no charge for students or families that are in receipt of: Income Support, JSA (income based), Pension credits, Child Tax credit (where the income is less than £15,860), income related employment and support allowance and anyone in receipt of NASS.
Continuing students are not subject to charges for 2011/12.
The Passenger Transport Unit (PTU) has to provide the most economical form of transport that is practical for students and is also committed to the use of public transport. The PTU has the final say in the type of transport awarded.
The PTU will provide one return journey per day for the 'normal' college day, Monday to Friday.
Public service bus and rail season tickets are ordered termly by the Passenger Transport Unit.
British Rail season tickets/bus passes will be sent to the home address, unless otherwise agreed. A passport sized photograph must accompany your application.
It is important that you carry your tickets at all times as they will be inspected on all journeys. You will be responsible for the cost of your journey if the ticket is not available or lost.
The PTU is unable to refund any fares paid or fines incurred for not having the appropriate ticket. Although tickets are issued on a termly basis the photo card is valid for at least one year, if not longer. Please ensure you retain the photo card until a new one is issued.
Apart from public transport, the PTU operates contracted transport to some colleges. Tickets are issued as soon as possible at the start of each academic year by PTU and sent to your college, along with a timetable for the contracted vehicle.
If you feel the transport awarded is incorrect please contact this office as soon as possible. If you wish to change to another mode of transport please write to this Office with the type of transport needed and the reason for the change. You must not return the ticket issued until your request has been approved by this office. The PTU has the final say in the type of transport awarded.
Whilst the Awards and Benefits Office aim to access all completed applications within 5 working days and PTU arrange transport within 10 working days, at the busier periods in the year you should be prepared to fund your own travel costs until transport can be arranged. If you are entitled to assistance you will be entitled to a refund of those expenses. Therefore, you must obtain receipts and attach these securely to claims form for reimbursement.
Reimbursement will only be made back to the date the authority received your application.
It is the responsibility of the college to assist students with their work placement travelling costs.
If transport is refused and you feel that you have special grounds for consideration, these should be set out in writing to the Awards and Benefits Section. It is important that you include all relevant information, as your appeal will be considered on the written evidence you present, and you will have no further right of appeal.
In making this application you are agreeing the following conditions:
I have not previously applied to Thurrock Council for travel for this year. If I do not attend 6th form or college for any part of the period covered by the travel award or I move out of the Thurrock area, I will refund any money you ask me for (including a proportion for season tickets, if applicable). If you are under 18 we will send the bill to your parent or guardian.
I authorise Thurrock Council to make enquiries about the validity of the information provided on this form from other central and/or local government bodies, as deemed appropriate by the Authority and hereby consent to the disclosure of any information sought in accordance with the foregoing for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Warning - it is an offence to obtain travel assistance by deception.
You should send completed forms (including college certificate) and all correspondence about travel to:
Awards & Benefits Section
Thurrock Council
Civic Offices
New Road
Grays
RM17 6SL
If you want us to acknowledge that we have received the application form, please send a stamped address postcard, which we will return to you when we receive the form in our office.
You can phone or visit the office between 8:45am and 5:15pm from Monday to Thursday and on Friday between 8:45am and 4:45pm. The Awards and Benefits Office telephone number is 01375 652511.
For further general information see:
01375 652652
01375 652359
