► Buses
Buses operate all over County Durham and can be a cheap way to get around for young people. If you are in full time education you may also be entitled to free transport to get you to your place of education. Read on to find out more...
► Changes to Education Transport
Durham County Council has made some significant changes to the transport that they provide for you to travel to school or college. The key changes are listed here but you can read them in more detail on Durham County Council's website.
If you are currently in school and get free transport you should see no change unless you move to a new area or a new school; when your application would be reassessed. If you are in year 11, there are changes to funding for post 16 study detailed below:
Changes from September 2011:
No transport for Post 16 study unless this is the second year of a two year course or you have some special educational needs that make travel difficult.
For example:
► If you are completing year 11 and plan to study in sixth form or college you will not get financial help with your transport costs.
► If you are in Year 12/13 and are in the second year of a two year course and continuing to study the same subjects, you will continue to get help with travel costs.
► If you cannot travel independently because you have a mobility problem or other significant need you can apply for help with travel costs but you will have to provide medical evidence that you cannot travel to your school or college independently.
Changes from September 2012:
If you start secondary school in September 2012 or change school or home address after that date these changes may apply to you:
► Home to school distance: transport will be provided if you live 3 miles from school not the current two miles. (However an exception may be made if you have a mobility difficulty).
► If you attend a Faith School: Free transport to faith schools will stop except where there is a legal requirement. The exception is secondary school pupils from a low income household may get free transport to the nearest suitable school chosen on the grounds of faith if it is between 2-15 miles from their home.
► Concessionary Travel: currently where there are spare seats on school buses and taxis, these have been available to you even if you didn’t qualify for free travel. From September 2011 if you wanted to use these spare seats you would have to pay.
► Bus Timetables
Traveline - Provides a facility to locate a bus and rail services within the region. Includes times, bus operator and a route listing
Nexus - For public transport in and around Newcastle
► Bus Companies in County Durham
Arriva North East - 08701 20 10 88
Go North East - 0845 60 60 260
Nexus General Enquiries - 0191 203 3333
Stagecoach North East - 0191 276 1411
► Bus Travel for Disabled passengers
The Durham County Council website will give you lots of information on travelling such as the Access bus which is a scheme for people who have trouble getting out and about, Bridge Cards which can be used by passengers to let drivers know that they may need extra help during their journey. There is also info on transport for young people attending special schools.
Click here for Transport for people with disabilities section of the Durham County Council website where you can download the Access Directory which is a guide to transport services on County Durham.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
► Trains
There are many train companies which operate all over the UK. Travelling by train can be a comfortable experience as long as you book in advance! Take along some music to listen to or a book to read to make your journey a nice one. If possible try to look for better deals in advance of travelling as you can get cheaper tickets.
► Train Times and Tickets
www.traveline.info - Traveline website to plan your journey
www.nationalexpress.com - Coach and train travel times, costs and booking in advance
www.thetrainline.com - For train times, costs and booking in advance
Northern Rail - Customer Services - 0845 600 1159
Northern Rail - Tickets and Fares - 0845 700 0125
► Train Travel for Disabled passengers
If you need assistance when travelling by train you can arrange for staff to meet you at your departure station and see you safely on board or special arrangements can be made for you such as ramps being provided for wheelchair users. You should contact the Train company you are travelling with to let them know if you need any assistance. You can also take a look at the Rail Travel made easy leaflet for more information.
National Rail website for disabled passengers
National Express website on disabled facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
► Discount Cards
There are a range of discount and travel cards for under 14's, 16-25 year olds and disabled people which you can apply for to get cheaper travel on trains and buses, please read on for more details...
► Under 14 Bus Card
If you are under 14 in County Durham then you are entitled to half price bus travel. You don’t have to have the card but it will help if bus drivers don’t believe your age! If you want to apply for a bus card please follow the instructions below:
►Fill out the application form (available from your school or by phoning 0191 372 5386. Or download on the Durham County Council website by clicking here.
►Obtain a passport size photograph
►Take your application to your school or send your completed application to:
Integrated Transport Unit
Environment
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ
► 14 - 16 (IIC) Bus Travel Card
The IIC (Investing in children travel card) allows 14-16 years old to travel for half price on local bus services throughout County Durham after 5pm on school days and all day at weekends and during school holidays.
You can get an application form from your school or from Durham County Council by telephoning 0191 372 5386.
► ‘Get around’ bus tickets for young people
Bus tickets for young people who are in full time education to get around for less on the Go north East bus service! Visit the Go North East website for more details: www.simplygo.com.
► Disabled Person's Bus Pass
If you are a registered disabled person in County Durham you are entitled to a pass which gives you free travel on local buses as well as buses all over the UK. Please see the Durham County Council website on how to apply for a pass.
► Under 16 Train Travel
You should be able to get a child fare if you’re under 16 so make sure you ask when buying your ticket.
► 16 - 25 Railcard
This railcard will save you a third on all fares throughout the UK – Is definitely worth it if you use the train a lot! - Please visit the website www.16-25railcard.co.uk for more details on cost and how to get your card.
►Disabled Person's Railcard
This railcard will save you a third off standard and first class tickets and is available to disabled adults and children. It also allows one accompanying adult to travel at the same discount. To apply for the Disabled person's railcard complete the form available on the Disabled Person's railcard website and send to the address given in the Rail Travel made easy leaflet with proof of your entitlement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
