Post16 travel scheme cost and payment options
For the academic year (September - July) there are three different options when paying in advance for post16 transport:
- Pay the full amount
- Pay in three instalments, one for each term
- Pay in six instalments, one for each half term
You will pay a reduced rate if you are receiving qualifying benefits - information below.
On some routes, students can also choose to use a daily pass and pay in cash on the bus.
No financial contribution towards transport will be required for students who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, who are in years 15 and above (ie usually the year in which they are 19 years old). Free transport will continue for these students up to the end of the year in which they become 25 years old, as long as they continue to have an EHC plan.
You can apply to start using post16 transport at any time. When paying in full, or in three instalments, the amount you’ll need to pay will be reduced after each half term.
If you pay for transport in instalments you’ll need to pay at least 10 working days before the expiry date shown on the card. This is so we can get a new card to you in plenty of time.
This also applies to other travel arrangements eg taxis, as contracts with operators will need to be renewed.
We do not send reminders, so keep a record of the dates listed below.
If your travel pass is lost, stolen or damaged, you can apply for a replacement pass. There is a £10 admin charge.
How to pay
Tell us how you want to pay when you apply for transport. Do not send any money with your application, we will ask for payment once we’ve processed it.
You can pay by credit/debit card, by cheque or by postal order.
Online
You can pay for post16 transport online. You will need your customer reference number and child's date of birth. If you don’t have it, you can find it by using our travel pass search form.
By telephone
Use our 24-hour automated telephone payment line and pay by debit or credit card.
By post
Alternatively you can send a cheque or postal order, together with the remittance slip enclosed with your original letter, to:
Travel and Transport
Norfolk County Council
Norwich
NR1 2SG
Cheques should be made payable to Norfolk County Council and have the student’s name and customer reference number written on the back.
You can apply for a 25% reduction in school transport charges, if you’re receiving any of the following benefits:
- Income support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
- Guaranteed pension credit
- Universal Credit (where earnings element less than £7,400 annually)
- The maximum level of Working Tax Credit (where reduction due to income is 0.00)
- Child Tax Credit if not entitled to a Working Tax Credit, when your annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) is less than £16,190
Download an example of a qualifying/non-qualifying Working Tax Credit
When you apply, you must include a scan or photocopy of a recent letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showing that you are entitled to one of the benefits listed above.
If you only have a Tax Credit Annual Review Notice for the current financial year, because you notified the DWP that your circumstances haven’t changed since your last full Tax Credit Award, you must send a photocopy or scan of all the following information:
- Your original Tax Credit Award
- Your Annual Review notice
- Your written or emailed confirmation that you have informed the DWP that your circumstances have not changed since your last full Tax Credit Award
Make sure you send us scanned copies or photocopies of documents. We can’t return any original documents and anything you send us will be securely destroyed.
Ask student support at the sixth form or college for information about the 16-19 Bursary Fund, a scheme to help young people facing financial hardship stay in full time education.
Students most in need will be eligible for a bursary of £1,200 a year.
This includes:
- Young people in care and those who are leaving care
- Young people receiving income support
- Disabled young people receiving both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance
Other students who want to stay in education but need financial support may be able to claim money to help with transport, food, equipment or other course-related costs.
For more information and advice about the 16-19 Bursary go to www.direct.gov.uk/16-19bursary.
Young parents – Care to Learn (C2L) can help pay for travel costs for learners aged 19 and under at the start of their course. Learning providers can support young people to apply for C2L – further details are available at www.gov.uk/care-to-learn.
Cost and payment options 2019-20
Pay in full at the start of the year: £540.
If you’re receiving a qualifying benefit you will pay a reduced amount of £405.
We will send you a travel pass, if required, to cover the whole year once we have received your payment.
Pay three instalments of £180 each. The first one before the beginning of the school year, the next two before the beginning of the spring and summer terms.
If you’re receiving a qualifying benefit you’ll pay a reduced amount of £135 per term.
| Term | Full amount | Reduced amount | To be paid before |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn term | £180 | £135 | When requested |
| Spring term | £180 | £135 | 13 December 2019 |
| Summer term | £180 | £135 | 5 April 2020 |
| Total amount | £540 | £405 |
If you start to use school transport after a half-term holiday, you will pay £90 (or the reduced charge of £67.50) for the rest of that term and then the full amount for the remaining term, or terms.
We will send you a new travel pass, if required, as each instalment is paid.
Pay six instalments of £90 each. The first one before the beginning of the school year or during the first half term, and the following before each half term holiday.
| Half term | Full amount | Reduced amount | To be paid before |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn 1 half term | £90 | £67.50 | When requested |
| Autumn 2 half term | £90 | £67.50 | 14 October 2019 |
| Spring 1 half term | £90 | £67.50 | 13 December 2019 |
| Spring 2 half term | £90 | £67.50 | 10 February 2020 |
| Summer 1 half term | £90 | £67.50 | 1 April 2020 |
| Summer 2 half term | £90 | £67.50 | 18 May 2020 |
| Total amount | £540 | £405 |
We'll send you a new travel pass, if required, as each instalment is paid.
Post16 students can use a daily fare pass on some routes to pay in cash every day.
The standard charge per day is £3.
If you’re receiving a qualifying benefit you’ll pay £2.50 per day.
The passes are issued for the full academic year. However, at the end of each term you will be sent a renewal email or letter asking you to confirm if you wish to continue as a daily fare payer. Make sure you add educationtransport@norfolk.gov.uk to your ‘safe senders list’.
If you do not confirm that you wish to continue using your daily payer pass, this will be cancelled remotely and no longer valid for travel.
