Transport policy statements for students aged16-19 in further education. Name of LEA : Milton Keynes Council Departments Responsible: Pupil Support Passenger transport 1. Are EMAs available locally and in which areas? NO Milton Keynes Council provides a grant to help students stay in education at maintained schools. The grant is available for students meeting agreed criteria, who are resident in Milton Keynes and from low-income families. This grant can be used towards the cost of transport. Full details and application forms are available from: The Student Support Team, Adult Learning, Buckinghamshire County Council County Hall, Aylesbury Bucks HP20 1UZ Tel: 01296 383268 Email: [email protected]. Financial assistance is also available for students, resident in Milton Keynes, attending Milton Keynes College. This is provided through the Milton Keynes College Welfare Fund. This grant can be used towards the cost of transport where students do not qualify for the 16+ Travel Scheme. Details and application forms for the Welfare Fund are available from: The College Admissions Unit, Milton Keynes College Chaffron Way, Woughton Campus West Leadenhall, Milton Keynes MK6 5LP Tel: 01908 684452/53 Full details on the grants referred to above and to the transport provision set out below in the following sections is available in the booklet “Financial Help for students aged 16 and over” issued by Milton Keynes Council in conjunction with Milton Keynes College and the Milton Keynes Lifelong Learning Partnership. The booklet is available through schools, Milton Keynes College, libraries and the Council offices based at the Civic Office and Saxon Court. It can also be obtained by contacting the Student Support Team at Buckinghamshire County Council, address; telephone number and email are shown above. 2. Please provide details of all concessionary fares, discounts, subsidies, passes or travel cards available for students aged 16–19 and who provides them. Please provide details of any costs to the student. Milton Keynes Council offers a 16+ Travel Scheme for full-time students, aged 16 - 19 years. The scheme is for students who are resident in Milton Keynes, attending their defined area, or nearest school or the most appropriate college for travel purposes, that provides the full-time further education course they wish to study, (at least four days a week), or a similar course, as deemed by the authority. They must live over three miles walking distance from the establishment. Students pay a flat rate contribution towards their travel costs, regardless of the distance travelled, which can be paid half-termly, termly or annually. Payment may be made by cash, cheque or postal order. The contributions required for 2003/2004 are: 1 Autumn Term £ 132 (or two payments of £ 69) Spring Term £ 107 (or two payments of £ 56.50) Summer Term £ 73 if having paid for Spring Term, otherwise £103. The whole year £ 297 Students are also able to purchase morning or afternoon tickets only at half the cost or pro rata for named whole days. Lost tickets can be replaced at a cost of £5.25. Travel Costs for over 19s The Council has not previously offered subsidised travel for students aged 19 or over. From April/September 2003 however the Council will extend the 16+ Travel Scheme to students who continue or complete courses after their 19th birthday which they commenced before they were 19. Milton Keynes Council through its Concessionary Fares Scheme provides reduced fares on public transport services within Milton Keynes. There are two tickets available: Junior Trippers and Junior Cityriders. Trippers currently cost £2-50 for 5 single bus journeys and Cityriders cost £6.70/£25 for a week/month unlimited travel on all buses and Silverlink trains within Milton Keynes. All journeys must start and finish within the Milton Keynes Council area. This scheme is for Milton Keynes residents, under 19 years of age and in full-time education (at least four days per week). Those on training schemes do not qualify. Application forms are available from all secondary schools and Milton Keynes College. Students who attend a school outside Milton Keynes can obtain forms from the BusCard Section, Milton Keynes Council on 01908 252558. Milton Keynes College operates a shuttles bus service between the Bletchley and Chaffron Way campuses, also calling at Milton Keynes Central railway station and the Point Central Milton Keynes. Fares are 50p per journey. The College administers the scheme. The College also provides support with travel costs for students in receipt of a means tested benefit or whose family income is less than £14,200pa (2003 rate) who live outside Milton Keynes and have disability or mobility problems. Moulton College offer bus services serving Milton Keynes, for 2002/3 there was an annual charge of £348, but termly tickets can be purchased. If students are eligible for Milton Keynes Council’s 16+ Travel Scheme, then they should apply directly to the Council. Other colleges may be able to assist with transport costs through their Learner Support Fund. Please contact Student Services of the college. Bus and Rail services: Where students do not qualify for subsidised travel they can purchase season tickets from some bus and train operators. Sometimes these also offer a saving over normal cash fares. Details of tickets available from the following operators: Stagecoach (01604) 676060 Arriva the Shires (0870) 201088 MK Metro (01908) 225100 Silverlink Train Services (08705) 125240 Young Person’s Rail Cards are available for full-time students between 16 – 25 years, at a cost of £18.00. This allows holder to receive one-third off most rail fares, off-peak journeys. 2 Other transport providers may offer discount schemes, please contact them direct for details: National Traveline for country wide bus and rail timetable information a 0870 6082608 Comprehensive travel information covering all bus, coach and train services is available at http://www.pindar.co.uk/mk. A journey planner is available at this website and it is also possible to download publications such as the Milton Keynes Travel Guide and updates. The Milton Keynes Travel Guide and updates, published by the Council, is available fro the Passenger Transport Section, telephone 01908 253256 3. During what times during the day can students use their travel pass or obtain concessionary fares? Milton Keynes Council’s 16+ Travel Cards are valid for one return journey per school or college day and may be restricted to a specific service/s. If a student needs to begin their journey before 7.30 or they are required to attend tutored classes after 1830, extensions to the travel card times can be arranged. All college services are available for one return trip per college day, on the specified service. Young Persons Railcards allow cheaper travel for off-peak travel. 4. Please confirm that support will continue to be made available to students who reach 19 whilst continuing on a course. Milton Keynes Council will support students who have commenced their current course prior to their 19th birthday. They will continue to be entitled to transport assistance until they complete the course they begin before their 19 birthday. 5. How will students be assessed to see if they are eligible for support? eg, means testing or must they be on benefits? To qualify for Milton Keynes Council’s 16+ Travel Scheme, students must be resident in Milton Keynes and attend their defined area, or nearest school or the most appropriate college for travel purposes, that provides the full-time further education course they wish to study, (at least four days a week), or a similar course, as deemed by the authority. They must live over three miles walking distance from the establishment. Accompanying the application form for the 16+ Travel Scheme is an explanatory leaflet. The form and leaflet are available from the Passenger Transport Section, Environment Directorate, Milton Keynes Council, Civic Offices, Central Milton Keynes Telephone: Milton Keynes MK9m3HN Telephone: (01908) 252526. Details of admissions to schools are published annually in the Information for Parents booklet available from the Pupil Support Section, Learning & Development Directorate, Saxon Court, Central Milton Keynes MK9 3HS. Telephone 01908 253085. If students are eligible for Milton Keynes Council’s 16+ Travel Scheme and their parent/carer is in receipt of a means tested benefit, then on receipt of confirmation of benefit received, they will receive an appropriate termly ticket, with the fee waived. The eligible means tested benefits are: 3 · Income support · Income Related Job Seekers Allowance If students believe they are eligible for the fee to be waived they should complete and return the application form and request a validation form from the Passenger Transport Section. Telephone (01908) 252526. Families who are not in receipt of these benefits but who have financial difficulties should complete the application form, without payment, enclosing a letter outlining the circumstances and requesting further advice. 6. What help do you provide for students with disabilities and/or learning difficulties or facing other difficulties in following their courses? Milton Keynes Council will provide appropriate transport for students aged 16 – 19 years with special needs, who are entitled to the 16-plus Travel Scheme. The parental contribution will be waived in specific cases. 7. Do you provide mobility/ independence training for students who face difficulty with transport? Mobility/independence training is offered by some schools and colleges. Please contact the school or college direct for details. 8. When should students start to apply for transport support? A leaflet and application form explaining Milton Keynes Council’s 16+ Travel Scheme will be available through Milton Keynes secondary schools during the Summer Term for all students in year 11. Completed application forms, with a photograph and appropriate payment should be returned by end-July, to ensure that Travel Cards are issued in time for the start of the Autumn Term.