For the full sixth form and college transport policy see the Starting Schools Booklet (part 9).
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I find out my catchment school/sixth form?
- Do I need to apply for school sixth form transport?
- I will be attending a faith sixth form, can I receive free transport?
- How do I find out which are approved further education courses?
- How do I find out if I am eligible to receive free transport if I have additional learning needs
- I have completed my college transport application, what happens next?
- If I am not eligible for transport will I be able to purchase a seat on a contract bus?
- I have lost or damaged my contracted bus pass or season ticket
- Can I apply for transport at any time?
- What if I move address?
- Other Useful Information
- College Course Information
If you are living in the Porth Community School and Ysgol Nantgwyn catchment areas your catchment Sixth Form is Tonyrefail Community School.
For sixth form learners living in the Ferndale Community School catchment area is Treorchy Comprehensive School.
From September 2023, there will be no year 12 admissions to Pontypridd High School and Hawthorn High School. As a result of this, the catchment school for Year 12 admissions for both these schools catchment area’s will be Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School.
Find your catchment school.
Learners who wish to continue their studies at their current school after year 11 (GCSE or equivalent) and already receiving free school transport need to take no further action transport will continue. Please keep your bus pass.
Where a learner is to attend a different school to access post 16 education, because there is no post 16 provision at their current school, the new school will co-ordinate such transport requests and will make the Integrated Transport Unit aware of their enrolment. This will enable entitlement to free transport to be assessed in accordance with the policy. Should you be entitled to free transport a bus pass will be sent to the learner’s home address before the commencement of term.
There is no statutory requirement to provide transport to voluntary aided (faith) schools.
Learners must have a continuous history of attending a voluntary aided (faith) school of a particular religious denomination for transport to be considered.
Pupils who reside in Rhondda Cynon Taf and have attended Cardinal Newman Catholic School and want to attend St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College will be entitled to transport. You must enrol at St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College and complete the college application form.
This transport policy covers school sixth form and college full time further education courses only approved by Qualifications Wales and does not extend to higher education courses funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).
Where sixth form provision is provided in schools, schools are responsible for issuing policies on sixth form admissions in respect of entry requirements and publish what courses are available. Learners should encouraged to check what courses are available at their catchment sixth forms.
For learners with additional learning needs, transport may be made available until the end of the academic year in which they attain their 19th birthday. Travel arrangements in respect of any subsequent attendance are at the discretion of the learning provider. Travel arrangements in respect of any subsequent attendance will be considered on application, based on an assessed social care need.
If you qualify, transport will be provided on a contract bus or you will be provided with a season ticket for use on public transport. The provision of specialist transport is granted under exceptional circumstances only.
You may also be required to undergo travel training so you can catch a contract bus or public service bus independently. Please contact Student Services at the college to confirm transport arrangements before you enrol.
6.1 How will I know the outcome of my college transport application?
Your application will be assessed within 21 days in accordance with the Council's college transport policy and you will only be contacted using the email address provided on your application form.
Please check your spam e-mail folder if you have not received a response.
Applications made for the next academic year will receive a response by the August prior to the commencement of the academic year.
DO NOT RE-APPLY IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED AN ELECTRONIC APPLICATION UNLESS YOUR COURSE OR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED
6.2 How do I get to College?
In all cases the effective use of resources will dictate the method of transport provided. This will either be bus passes for use on contracted bus services or the local public transport network.
If you are in receipt of a concessionary bus pass you will not be ordered a season ticket as you are already entitled to travel free on public transport.
Contract bus passes will be available for eligible students from student services when you commence college or within 21 days of the date of completing your application.
Season tickets will be sent directly to your e-mail address directly from the public transport provider or you will be sent a physical season ticket if you have requested one.
If you attempt to use your public transport season ticket on days other than your timetabled days your pass may be confiscated and you will need to request and pay for a replacement pass. The bus company may also take their own actions in line with their travel policy which will be available on their website.
If you have received an e-mail to advise you are entitled to free transport on a contract bus your name will be on the contractors list and will be able to travel on your first day in September. If you have not received an e-mail and arrive at the bus stop you will be refused transport as your name will not be on the contractors list.
Please check your spam e-mail folder if you have not received a response.
6.3 Do I need to supply photographs?
You will be advised accordingly in your confirmation of entitlement e-mail.
Please check your spam e-mail folder if you have not received a response.
6.4 Do I qualify for free transport if my course is outside Rhondda Cynon Taf?
Transport provision may be made for learners pursuing approved full time courses at Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot and Ystrad Mynach colleges. Details of the approved courses are available from:
School Improvement Team
Education and Lifelong Learning Department,
Ty Trevithick
Abercynon
Mountain Ash
CF45 4UQ
Tel: 01443 425001
The Welsh Government administers the My Travel Pass scheme which provides discounted travel on public transport for 16-21 year olds across Wales. Further information about the My Travel Pass scheme is available directly from the Welsh Government, as follows:-
You can also apply to purchase a seat on a contracted bus services ONLY via the Council’s website. It is a first come first served process and capacity to sell vacant seats CANNOT be determined until after the start of the new Academic Year as applications are still being received from eligible students.
If you are sold a seat, and the number of eligible students that are entitled to travel on the service increases during the term, the situation may arise whereby there would be insufficient seats and your entitlement to travel would have to be withdrawn. If this situation were to occur, then a ‘pro rata’ refund would be made to you for the remainder of the term.
Any customer who has failed to pay for seats in previous years will not be sold a seat for the 2022/23 academic year.
New applications are not considered after the end of the Summer Half Term (Whitsun). You must specify the academic year you are applying for even if the start of the year as passed.
If you lose or damage your contracted bus pass or train ticket you can order a new pass online or by contacting the Integrated Transport Unit on 01443 425001. A replacement will be ordered at a cost to you. Train tickets are only replaced ONCE in a 12 month period.
Moving address can have an impact on your eligibility to receive free transport to Sixth Form / College. If you are attending a school sixth form you must inform your school which will pass your updated details to the Integrated Transport Unit. If you are attending a college you must reapply for college transport on the Council's website.
The Welsh Government administers the My Travel Pass scheme which provides discounted travel on public transport for 16-21 year olds across Wales. Further information about the My Travel Pass scheme is available directly from the Welsh Government, as follows:-
Information for public transport services is available from Traveline Cymru, as follows:-
Course information and general college information is available directly from each College:
Further information on public transport services is available directly from the individual operators:
To obtain further information regarding Independent Travel Training visit the Council's website.