The Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 requires Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (the Council) to make available information about their policies and the arrangements that are put in place for transporting learners.
In doing so, the Council’s Learner Travel Policy, Information and Arrangements contain guidance designed to inform parents, carers, and learners on how the policy is practically implemented and ensure that it is applied consistently and equitably across the County Borough.
Any decisions made by Council Officers regarding entitlement will be based on this document and, subject to compliance with the information contained within, will be considered to be final.
Statutory Provision of Free Transport
There is a statutory duty placed upon the Council to:
- Assess the travel needs of learners in its area;
- Provide free home to school transport for learners of compulsory school age attending primary school who live 2 miles or further from their nearest suitable school;
- Provide free home to school transport for learners of compulsory school age attending secondary school who live 3 miles or further from their nearest suitable school;
- Assess and meet the needs of children "looked after" in its area;
- Promote access to Welsh medium education;
- Promote sustainable modes of travel.
To meet this duty, the Council provides learners with free transport to their nearest suitable school if they reside beyond safe “walking distance” to that school. The term nearest suitable school applies to the catchment area or nearest Welsh, English, dual language or voluntary aided (faith) mainstream school or special school/class, as appropriate.
The law relating to safe “walking distance” is defined as two miles for learners of compulsory school age receiving primary education and three miles for learners of compulsory school age receiving secondary education.
Discretionary Provision of Free Transport
Beyond the statutory minimum, the Council has determined that when assessing entitlement on the basis of safe “walking distance”, to use the discretionary powers afforded to it under the provisions of the Measure to make a more generous provision to learners.
The term nearest suitable school applies to the catchment area or nearest Welsh, English, dual language or voluntary aided (faith) mainstream school or special school/class as appropriate. This does not apply to learners who do not have a continuous history of attending a voluntary aided (faith) school of a particular religious denomination.
Primary Learners (Nursery to Year 6)
The eligibility criterion for walking distance for learners receiving compulsory primary education at their nearest suitable school has been set at 1.5 miles, instead of 2 miles as required by the Measure.
Free transport to their nearest suitable school, where places are available, is provided to learners who meet the 1.5 mile eligibility criterion from the start of the Foundation Phase (the start of the school term after their third birthday), rather than from the start of compulsory education (the start of the school term after their fifth birthday) as required by the Measure.
Secondary Learners (Years 7 to 11)
From September 2025 the eligibility criterion for walking distance for learners receiving compulsory secondary education, at their nearest suitable school, has been set at 3 miles, in line with the Welsh Government statutory distance criteria.
Post 16 Learners
From September 2025 free transport is provided to post 16 learners who meet the 3 mile eligibility criterion for two years after the end of compulsory education, rather than until the end of compulsory education (the last Friday in June of the school year in which a learner reaches the age of 16), as required by the Measure. This provision applies to full time attendance at the nearest suitable school or college to the learner’s home at which the approved course of study that they wish to pursue is offered. Further information in relation to post 16 learners can be found in section 9.15.
Learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
Free transport for learners with additional learning needs/disabilities receiving education at their catchment or nearest suitable special school, pupil referral unit or learning support class is provided if they meet the distance criteria outlined below:
- Primary aged learners (including Foundation Phase) who have been offered a placement will receive free transport, if they live 1.5 miles or more from the school placement, instead of 2 miles as required by the Measure;
- Secondary aged learners (including Post 16 learners who attend special schools/colleges) who have been offered a placement will receive free transport if they live 2 miles or more from the school or college placement, instead of 3 miles as required by the Measure;
- The discretionary elements of the Council’s policy are subject to review and may be discontinued. Any proposed changes will be subject to consultation with learners and parents/carers and, if taken forward by the Council, will usually apply from the start of a school year and will have regard to the Learner Travel Statutory Provision and Operational Guidance - June 2014 or its replacement.
Transport Provision
Learners eligible to receive free school transport do not need to apply and will be notified of their entitlement by the Integrated Transport Unit. Learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) will be notified of their entitlement by Education and Inclusion Services.
The provision of free school transport (as set out above) will be arranged to coincide with the start and end of the normal school day only, not at lunchtimes and shall be provided during the school term time.
It is not provided for medical appointments, collection from school or college due to illness, detention requirements, and part time or examination timetables.
Where the Council has arranged for a learner to attend an out of county residential school, transport will only be provided at the start and end of each half term.
Transport will normally be provided from pick up points at approved bus stops on the nearest public transport route to the learner’s home. Transport will not be provided to alternative addresses to suit parent's work or other commitments. Where a learner has to walk an unreasonably long distance to the bus stop, special transport arrangements may be made. For learners with ALN, transport is usually provided to and from the home address, with every effort being made to collect / drop off at the kerbside. It is for parents/carers to take / meet their child(ren) to / from the vehicle. Transport will not be provided onto un-adopted roads, private land, or farm access tracks.
It will not always be possible to arrange the routes for our contracted vehicles to pass close to the home of a learner. In such circumstances, it may be necessary for parents or carers to make arrangements for the learner to reach the nearest available pick-up point on the contracted route allocated to them. Every effort will be made to keep the distance from a learner's house to the pick-up point as short as possible and will normally not exceed one mile.
It is the intention of the Council to provide a system of transportation that will seek to carry learners safely, comfortably and without unreasonable levels of stress.
Children Looked After
The same age and distance criteria apply to children 'looked after' (CLA) as to children who are not looked after. If the Council determines that a child looked after should attend a school other than the nearest suitable school then transport will be provided, upon request by the child’s social worker, and authorised by the appropriate Social Work Team Manager.
This will be done in accordance with the Council’s agreed policy on walking distance and safe routes (as set out above). Local authorities who place CLA learners in Rhondda Cynon Taf are responsible for funding the travel arrangements.
Parental Preference
Where parents/carers choose to place their child(ren) in a school other than the local catchment area school (Welsh, English, dual language or voluntary aided (faith) mainstream school or special school/class as appropriate) then those parents/carers are totally liable to organise and pay for the cost of transport to the chosen school, unless that school is nearer to the learner’s home than the designated catchment school.
Cross Border Arrangements
Transport may be provided to eligible learners attending courses of study outside the County Borough where such attendance is consistent with it being the nearest suitable school rather than the designated catchment school.
Over-Subscribed Schools
If a learner cannot be admitted to the nearest suitable school (the catchment area Welsh, English, dual language or voluntary aided (faith) mainstream school or special school/class as appropriate) and, as a result, has to attend another school beyond the walking distance from their home then transport will be provided to the next nearest suitable school. In such circumstances consideration will be given to transporting siblings to the same school.
Protected Provision – Catchment Area Variations
Where the Council decides to vary the catchment area for a school (Welsh, English, dual language or voluntary aided (faith) mainstream school or special school/class as appropriate), existing transport arrangements will be protected for the learners living in the areas affected for the duration of their attendance at the school or until they reach the end of that phase. In exceptional circumstances, consideration may be given to transporting siblings to the same school.
Special Arrangements - Hazardous Routes
The criterion used to determine the eligibility to receive free school transport is based on safe walking distance, measured by the shortest, available walking route. A route is considered to be available if it is safe for a learner to walk alone or, if appropriate for the age of the learner, accompanied by an appropriate adult. It is recognised that occasions will arise when routes may become hazardous. In these circumstances, the Council reserves the right to provide free school transport over distances below the discretionary limits, if this is recommended by appropriate officers in the interests of the safety of the relevant learners.
In determining the comparative safety of a walking route, the Council will conduct an assessment of the risks that escorting parents/carers and learners might encounter along the route between home and school. The assessment of a route will take place at the time of the day and on the days of the week that learners would be expected to use the route. It will take a road safety perspective and follow the Welsh Government Statutory Guidance on Risk Assessing Walked Routes to School.
In accordance with the Learner Travel Operational Guidance, all routes are assessed on the assumption that pupils are accompanied as necessary by a responsible person, but it is for a parent to decide whether or not a child needs supervision on their journey, and this is for the parent/carer to arrange if they are unable to do it themselves.
As a matter of policy, routes that have been determined unavailable may be reviewed and discretionary provision may be withdrawn where the identified hazard has been mitigated and the route identified as available to walk in safety. Parents/carers will be given at least one term advance notice of the withdrawal of such discretionary transport.
Children with Additional Learning Needs/Disabilities
A learner’s catchment or nearest special school, pupil referral unit or learning support class is determined by Education and Inclusion Services, with transport only provided upon this determination.
Applications for transport on distance grounds must be made once a school place is confirmed by the Council's Access and Inclusion ALN Panel. Details are available from the Council's website at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/schoolandcollegetransport
If parents/carers decline an offer of a placement at their catchment or nearest special school, pupil referral unit or learning support class, then those parents/carers are totally liable to organise and pay for the cost of transport to the chosen establishment.
Prior to the appropriate transport provision being arranged, parents/carers will need to complete an ALN Transport Application Form at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/schoolandcollegetransport. Transport cannot be provided until this information has been supplied.
Learners with disabilities (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) may be entitled to assistance with transport from home to an appropriate school/college even though the Council’s agreed criteria on safe walking distance (as set out above) are not met. Applications must be supported by appropriate medical evidence. Assistance may include transport from after school provision. Such provision is subject to referral to, and approval by, the Council’s Access and Inclusion ALN or Gatekeeping Panels. Any such referrals must be supported by appropriate evidence, as detailed in section 9.12 and each case will be considered on the basis of individual needs.
Dual Residency
Only permanent established living arrangements are considered e.g. a learner who stays two nights of every school week with one person with parental responsibility and three nights of every school week with the other, or alternate weeks with each parent. Such arrangements do not apply where a learner spends weekends with a different parent from where the learner lives during the school week. The nights of the school week are Sunday evening/Monday morning to Thursday evening/Friday morning inclusive.
Transport from/to the second home address is only provided where the learner meets the eligibility criteria specified in section 9.2.
Transport on Medical Grounds
Free transport to and from school may be provided on medical grounds where there is a chronic illness or temporary incapacity for short but continuous periods.
Applications must include written primary evidence based on a medical professional’s knowledge of the condition and circumstances and will be accepted from any of the following registered health professionals: Specialist consultants, Paediatricians, Clinical psychologists, Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists, and General Practitioners. All evidence must be dated within 6 months of the application.
Letters or reports from Schools and/or Social Care Professionals are accepted as supporting evidence only.
Each application must specify:
- The nature of the illness or incapacity;
- The reason that this impacts on travel to school;
- The extent of the impact e.g. expected duration.
Transport may not be in the form of a dedicated vehicle from the house address, where a reasonable adjustment to the Council's normal practices can be made, in order to accommodate the learner's specific needs e.g. the allocation of a seat on a nearby contracted school or public service bus.
Each case will be considered on its own merits and will be on the evidence supplied by the medical professional and subject to confirmation by the Council’s Medical Transport Gatekeeping Panel. Where agreed, this provision will be subject to a regular review.
Transport to Welsh Medium and Dual Language Schools
There is no statutory requirement to provide transport to Welsh medium and dual language schools. The Council's current policy is that learners attending the nearest Welsh medium or dual language school receive free transport in accordance with the Council’s agreed policy on walking distance and safe routes (as set out above).
Transport to Voluntary Aided (Faith) Schools
There is no statutory requirement to provide transport to voluntary aided (faith) schools. The Council 's current policy is that learners attending the nearest voluntary aided school of the parent/carers denomination receive free transport, in accordance with the Council’s agreed discretionary policy on walking distance and safe routes (as set out above).
This does not apply to learners who do not have a continuous history of attending a voluntary aided (faith) school of a particular religious denomination.
Provision for Learners Aged 16 to 19
There is no statutory requirement to provide transport for post 16 learners. The Council's policy is that post 16 learners, who meet the 3 mile eligibility criterion (as set out above) will only be eligible for free transport to the nearest suitable school/college/campus at which the approved 16 to 19 study courses are available. If the same courses are available in a number of schools / campuses, free transport is only provided to the nearest.
This transport policy covers school sixth form and college full time further education courses approved by Qualifications Wales and does not extend to higher education courses funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).
No transport will be provided for mainstream learners beyond the second academic year after the end of compulsory education. In exceptional circumstances, transport may be provided until the end of the academic year in which a learner attains their 19th birthday. Travel arrangements in respect of any subsequent attendance are the responsibility of the learner.
Learners attending Mainstream School 6th Form
Learners who meet the criteria outlined, and wish to continue their studies at their current school after year 11, (GCSE or equivalent) need to take no further action. 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.
Learners attending College
Learners who wish to pursue a college course are required to complete an online transport application available at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/schoolandcollegetransport.
Transport to voluntary aided (faith) schools/colleges will only be provided to post 16 learners who have a continuous history of attending a voluntary aided (faith) school of a particular religious denomination, unless the approved 16 to 19 study courses are not available at a nearer establishment.
In accordance with the Council’s agreed discretionary policy on walking distance and safe routes (as set out above), transport provision may be made for learners pursuing approved full time educational programmes at Bridgend College, Cardiff and Vale College, The College Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot College, Coleg Y Cymoedd (Ystrad Mynach), Futsal (Cardiff) and St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College (Cardiff).
Details of the approved educational programmes are available from the; School Improvement Team, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Education and Inclusion Services, Valleys Innovation Centre, Navigation Park, Abercynon CF45 4SN.
Post 16 learners may be eligible for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), funded by Welsh Government and administered on their behalf by Student Finance Wales. The EMA is intended to support post 16 learners to access post 16 education. Details to determine eligibility for EMA are available from the Student Finance Wales website at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/fe/ema.
Bus passes are issued for all eligible learners. Where learners are allocated to the local public bus network app-based electronic tickets are provided. Physical tickets are only provided in exceptional circumstances and upon request.
Where learners do not take up an offer of, or withdraw from, a school sixth form or college further education course, passes should be returned to the Integrated Transport Unit. Failure to do so will result in the cost of transport being reclaimed.
Information about public transport services is available from the Traveline Cymru website at www.traveline.cymru. Those aged 16 to 21 can save approximately 30% on bus travel with mytravelpass. Apply online at https://mytravelpass.tfw.wales/
Provision for Learners Aged 16 to 19 with Additional Learning Needs
The Council's current policy for post 16 learners with additional learning needs is that free transport is provided to those whose home address is 2 miles or more from the nearest available special school / class / college, at which the approved timetabled courses are studied, 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. Please contact Student Services at the college to confirm transport arrangements before enrolling into college. Where there is spare capacity available to purchase a seat on an existing contracted school transport route, priority is given to those under the age of 25.
No provision will be made by the Council for learners with additional learning needs following the academic year that any such learner attains their 19th birthday. Where the course continues into subsequent years, the learner will be entirely responsible for arranging and funding their transport needs for continued attendance.
Travel Training
Travel training is provided by the Council’s Integrated Transport Unit (ITU) to learners to allow them to walk to school or college or travel independently on contracted or local public transport.
Travel training is provided free of charge on a 1 to 1 basis or as part of a group to learners. Training provides road safety awareness and knowledge of how to travel to school or college, either by walking or on contracted or public transport. The necessary support is given to undertake journeys independently, and may include the use of bus passes, timetables, and money where appropriate.
Successful travel training also offers the opportunity to develop a set of essential skills which promotes independence for further education, employment, social and leisure opportunities in the future. To be successful, travel training requires parents/carers to be supportive and engage with the travel training programme.
Taxis are provided for learners with ALN under exceptional circumstances only, on receipt of appropriate supporting medical evidence (see section 9.12) or if agreed by the Post 16 ALN Group. Failure to engage and participate with travel training will result in school or college transport being withdrawn.
For further details of the travel training programme please refer to www.rctcbc.gov.uk/schoolandcollegetransport
Eligibility and Mileage Assessment
There is no means testing to assess whether or not a learner is eligible for the provision of transport. The only eligibility criteria are the qualifying distances, as set out above, from home to the nearest open school gate or route safety assessment (as set out above). Learners are assessed in accordance with these eligibility criteria and eligible learners or their parents/carers are notified of the arrangements in advance of the provision commencing.
Distances calculated by driving routes do not represent accurate measurements, neither are measurements that use post code areas. When measuring walking routes, the Council measures to three decimal places. It uses MapInfo Professional which calculates route measurements using Government standard Ordnance Survey data. This determines address points by using 6 digit geo-codes, which are accurate to 1m and is generally accepted to be the most accurate data available. In order to determine the nearest suitable school, it is for the Council to determine the most appropriate route against which to undertake a comparative measurement. This may be via paths, roads or by a combination of routes.
The measurement undertaken by the Council will be the final and definitive distance and will be used to assess transport eligibility. Private driveways or un-adopted roads that are not maintained by the Council are not included in such measurements. Where it is found that the Council has provided free transport in error, the parent or carer will be informed of this, with notice given that transport will be withdrawn at the end of the school term.
The Council takes very seriously any attempt to gain an advantage by giving false information and will investigate fraudulent claims. If school/college transport is offered and it is then discovered that the offer was made on fraudulent or misleading information e.g. a false claim to living at an address or having an incorrect date of birth, incorrect course, that offer will be withdrawn and the cost of transport will be reclaimed. This could cause considerable distress, particularly for the learner involved.
he Council will process the information provided by parents/carers in accordance with the Data Protection legislation. Any personal information will be held in confidence, with only the necessary people able to see or use it. The information provided may be given to any organisation, including other Council departments, legitimately investigating allegations of fraud, other criminal offences or child protection. In addition, it may also be cross-checked and verified against information held by other Council departments. For further information please refer to the Corporate Privacy Notice and the Transportation Service Privacy notice on the Council's website at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/DataProtection.
Bus Passes
Bus passes are issued to all entitled secondary school learners at the start of year 7. They remain valid for the duration of their time at their mainstream secondary school. College students are issued with passes at the start of their course and will be valid for one academic year only. If a student leaves college before the end of the academic year, the pass is to be returned, otherwise the cost of the pass will be recovered. If a college student returns for a second year, they must re-apply for a bus pass.
Bus passes for use on contracted services are colour coded to correspond with the coloured sign, which is located at the front of each school/college bus. The Council applies a no pass no travel policy. Learners are expected to produce their passes for inspection by the driver on every journey undertaken. No exception is made and parents/carers must ensure that learners do not leave home without a valid bus pass. Lost passes can be replaced at a nominal cost, with the charge being reviewed annually. Details are available on the Council’s website at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/schoolandcollegetransport.
Learners who share their pass or provide their pass to another learner for it to be copied will be suspended from travelling. In the case of such learners who had been issued with bus passes for use on the local public transport network, action may also be taken by the bus operator, which might involve the Police.
All issues relating to the operation of the no pass no travel policy, either by the operators or the schools, must be taken up with the Council’s Integrated Transport Unit. Do not approach the driver or contact the transport operator.
Primary school learners are not issued with a bus pass. Their eligibility to travel is checked from a list as they board the bus.
Bus passes for eligible learners that are allocated to the local public bus network are provided with app-based electronic tickets. Physical tickets are only provided in exceptional circumstances and upon request.
Mode of Transport
In all cases, the efficient use of resources will dictate the mode of transport provided (subject to any additional needs requirements). Transport may be provided by means of contracted school/college transport services or existing public transport services which, together with the size and type of transport (bus, minibus, train, taxi, etc.) will be dictated by cost effectiveness.
In exceptional cases, learner or parental reimbursement will be offered where this is the most cost-effective method of providing transport. The provisions of Section 88 of the Transport Act 1985 place a duty on the Council to secure, in the interests of its residents, the best value for money from expenditure on public passenger transport as a whole. The Council will therefore be mindful of its duty to provide socially necessary (public transport) bus or train services when arranging transport provision for learners.
Journey Times
The Council does not specify a time limit for journeys. However, journey times should be reasonable, taking into account the age and individual needs of the learners, and the nature, purpose and circumstances of each journey. Where parents/carers express preferences for their children to attend Welsh/dual language schools or voluntary aided (faith) schools/colleges that are some distance away from their homes, journeys may generally be longer. This will also apply to some ALN journeys.
Fare Paying Passengers
The Council will reserve the right, using appropriate powers, to make the spare capacity available on an existing contracted school transport route, subject to availability, to learners who are not eligible to receive free school transport.
Learners who have previously taken up this option will be sent details of the application process, in writing, in the summer term. This letter will specify the earliest date upon which an application may be made, normally the first Monday after the end of the summer term. Applications made before this date will not be considered.
The completion of an application form does not guarantee that spare seats will be sold. Seats can only be sold subject to availability, and are sold on a first come first served basis, with requests only considered once the numbers of spare seats available, if any, are identified. The Council will reserve the right to refuse to sell a seat, should one become available, to any customer found to be using school transport without being entitled, and who has not been sold a seat for the current academic year.
It is not always possible to allocate seats before the start of the new academic year, as the Council must assess available capacity. This does not just include changes in demand due to new starters but also post 16 learners who decide whether or not to stay on in school or to attend college after receiving their examination results toward the end of August. In addition, seats also become available during the first few weeks of term as some learners who are entitled to free travel decline the seat offered and do not travel on the vehicles provided. Once all these factors are taken into account, any spare seats are released for sale.
When places on a vehicle are made available under this provision, they will be charged at a flat rate per learner per year. The payment is required in advance, with the level of charging being assessed annually. In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant purchases transport for less than a full term, the minimum charge for that term will be the half term rate per learner.
Refunds are only made when the bus pass is returned or in the case of primary school transport when the ITU is advised that the seat is no longer required.
Where learners who have purchased a seat on school/college transport misbehave whilst travelling on school/college transport and have their right to transport removed for a specified period, no refunds will be made.
There is no reduction in transport charges for part-time attendance. In such circumstances, learners should consider whether public transport is a more cost effective option. Those aged 16 to 21 can save approximately 30% on bus travel with mytravelpass. Apply online at https://mytravelpass.tfw.wales/
Payment Methods
Payments to purchase a seat on an existing contracted route will ordinarily be taken in full. After confirmation that a seat is available to purchase, applicants looking to pay by instalments must apply, in writing, to the;
Integrated Transport Unit, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Prosperity, Development and Frontline Services, Ty Glantaf, Unit B23, Taffs Fall Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, CF37 5TT or by e mail to hometoschooltransport@rctcbc.gov.uk.
The following options for making payments can be used, once the Integrated Transport Unit has confirmed that a seat is available:
- By Credit or Debit Card online, or via the Council’s Integrated Transport Unit or Call Centre
- By Cash or Cheque at any of the Council’s One4All centres.
Where there has been difficulty in collecting payments, the Council reserves the right to limit the choice of payment methods and timescales in future years e.g. we may require full payment in advance before the issue of a travel pass.
The Council’s standard debt policy will apply to all invoices raised for the purchase of a seat on school/college transport.
Where an invoice or agreed instalment remains outstanding, a reminder letter is sent requesting payment and informing the parent/carer that unless the debt is paid within seven days, the travel pass(es) will be cancelled and learners will no longer be entitled to travel. The pass(es) will only be reinstated when a payment has been made. The Council will seek to recover any outstanding charges through its usual debt recovery process.
The option to purchase a seat on an existing contracted route will not be offered in future years to any members of a family where any school/college transport debt remains outstanding.
Change of Family Home - Transport Arrangements
Learners in receipt of free transport whose families move to an address outside the local area of the school/college, to which transport has been provided, will be assessed in accordance with the eligibility criteria.
Families need to be mindful of this fact when they are considering moving home, especially in the years when learners have commenced formal examination courses (years 10 and 11 for GCSE or equivalent and years 12 and 13 for AS and A level or equivalent).
Monitoring
All vehicles will be available for random checks by DVSA or other appropriate body, when required. Any complaints received by the Council concerning services or vehicles will be immediately investigated. In the event of the complaint being upheld, the necessary and appropriate steps will be taken in accordance with the contract or as a matter of urgency. The Council will undertake random checks on contracts, to ensure that the contracts are being operated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.
As part of the monitoring exercise, checks will be made to include; punctuality, adherence to route, size of vehicle, licences, use of DBS cleared staff and the checking of bus passes, all of which are designed to ensure safe and stress free travel.
The Travel Behaviour Code – Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008
The Welsh Government has introduced an initiative called "Travel Behaviour Code” to promote safe travel for all children and young people, by setting out the standards of behaviour required when travelling between home and school/college. The Code encourages schools/colleges and the Council to work proactively with learners, their parents/carers and the community to promote positive behaviour. It is compulsory to wear a seat belt on dedicated mainstream school/college transport. Parents/carers are requested to emphasise the importance of wearing a seat belt to their child(ren). If learners misbehave whilst travelling on school/college transport and do not follow the Travel Behaviour Code, action may be taken and the right to transport may be removed for a specified period depending on the severity of the incident. Vehicles used for school/college transport may be fitted with CCTV. The footage is confidential but may be used in evidence in cases of misconduct or misbehaviour. Any damage to the vehicle caused by a learner could result in the operator taking criminal proceedings against the learner and seeking to obtain reimbursement to cover the cost of repairs.
Work Experience
Where, as part of a course of study, learners follow a work experience placement they are required to make their own transport arrangements. No provision will be made by the Council.
Availability and Accessibility of this Policy Statement
The Learner Travel Information (Wales) Regulations 2009 require the Council to publish and make available its learner travel policy, information and travel arrangements to learners, and their parents/carers, prior to admission to school or college, and on request. Copies must also be provided for their reference at the Council's offices, as well as schools, colleges and libraries within Rhondda Cynon Taf. It is also published on the Council’s web site at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/schoolandcollegetransport
Feedback
The Council is committed to using any feedback received to improve service quality. We welcome correspondence in Welsh. If you have any comments on the content of this document, please contact: Integrated Transport Unit, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Frontline Services, Ty Glantaf, Unit B23, Taffs Fall Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, CF37 5TT. Tel: 01443 425001 or by email: hometoschooltransport@rctcbc.gov.uk or collegetransport@rctcbc.gov.uk
Further Information and Points of Contact for Learners Seeking Transport Support
Further information, including Frequently Asked Questions and details of contracted bus routes and pick up points can be found on the Council’s website at; www.rctcbc.gov.uk/schoolandcollegetransport
Contacts:
Coleg y Cymoedd Student Services:
Tel: 01443 662800
www.colegycymoedd.ac.uk
Rhondda Cynon Taf Education and Inclusion Services - School Admissions:
Tel: 01443 281111
Email: schooladmissions@rctcbc.gov.uk
Rhondda Cynon Taf Prosperity, Development and Frontline Services - Integrated Transport Unit:
Tel: 01443 425001
Email: hometoschooltransport@rctcbc.gov.uk
Rhondda Cynon Taf Public Health, Protection & Community Services - Youth Engagement and Participation Team:
Tel: 01443 744000
Other Sources of Information:
Careers Wales
www.careerswales.com
Individual School/College Prospectuses
Traveline Cymru - Information about public transport:
Tel: 0800 464 0000
www.traveline.cymr
Welsh Government Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 Learner Travel Statutory Provision and OperationalGuidance - June 2014: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/mwa/2008/2/contents
Mytravelpass- 16 to 21 year olds save approximately 30% off bus travel: https://mytravelpass.tfw.wales/
The Travel Code https://www.gov.wales/travel-behaviour-code-guidance