The travel support that's available if you're 16 years old or over, and in further education.
You can only get travel support if you're 16 to 25 and have special educational needs or need medical or physical help.
We only offer support for students going to: sixth forms and colleges.
If you're doing an apprenticeship or traineeship your learning provider is responsible for meeting any reasonable expenses.
The travel support
The support we offer is partially funded financial assistance.
You'll need to pay £400 which can be divided into five equal payments of £80 to cover the six terms of the academic year.
Private transport, such as a taxi, will only be provided where there is no other suitable choice.
Who can apply for post 16 travel support
If you're 16 to 19 years old you can apply for travel support if you:
- go to the nearest post 16 provider that has the course you need
- are studying a full time course
- have either:
- a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEND)
- an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- a medical or physical difficulty so you're unable to walk 3 miles accompanied
If you're 19 to 25 years old then you must meet this criteria but our decision to give support will be decided on a case by case basis.
If you get a SEND statement or ECHP after you've started your course
You should try to get a SEND statement or EHCP before you start your course.
You can apply for travel support if you get a SEND statement or a EHCP after you've started your course but:
- your application will be considered based on your age and journey length
- you'll need to supply medical evidence with your application
Courses outside the Bristol area
If your school or college is outside the Bristol Local Authority area, you should still apply to us.
We may offer a Personal Travel Budget (PTB) instead.
Distance to your school or college
Contact us if you want to study a course that is beyond the daily travel distance.
Policies
All applications for travel support during the academic year 2024 to 2025 are considered in line with our pdf Post 16 travel support policy 2024 to 2025 (109 KB) .
Applications for travel support during the academic year 2025 to 2026 will be considered in line with our pdf Post 16 travel support policy 2025 to 2026 (290 KB) .
From September 2025, we'll remove council arranged vehicles for pupils aged 16 to 18 at the beginning of the academic year.
This is different from our current policy but is still in line with Department for Education guidance.
Other support options will be available as outlined in the new policy, such as a personal travel budget and bus passes.
For students who have already begun their post-16 courses and travel to school or college using a council arranged vehicle, we'll continue with this support until they complete their course.
Apply for post 16 school travel support
You must apply for this travel support for each year of post 16 education.
Use this form only for travel support for the academic year 2024 to 25. To apply for travel support for the academic year 2025 to 26 starting September 2025 email home.school.travel@bristol.gov.uk
Apply online for post 16 travel support
Other ways to apply
Fill in the document post 16 travels support application form (63 KB) and email it to home.school.travel@bristol.gov.uk
Application deadline
You should apply for travel support by 31 July each year.
If you apply after this date we can't guarantee that support will be ready for the start of the academic year.
Appeals
You can appeal if your application has been turned down.
To appeal you must
- tell us the reason why you're appealing
- send us any supporting evidence such as a medical report
You can:
- email your appeal to: home.school.travel@bristol.gov.uk
- or write to us at: Home to School Travel Team, PO Box 3399, Bristol, BS1 9NE
Other support
You may be able to apply for a 16 to 19 year old bursary to help with expenses, such as travel costs.
Visit bursary fund (GOV.UK) to see if you're eligible.