Schools, early years and childcare

Once a pupil continues their education into Year 12, the council will no longer subsidise the cost of travel passes or provide free travel. Students in Years 12 and 13 can apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). This is a weekly payment worth up to £30 to cover day-to-day costs such as travel, books and equipment. The weekly payment is determined by the household income as follows:

Further details about the EMA and application forms are available from all schools and colleges or at http://ema.direct.gov.uk

Although the council is not subsidising or providing free travel passes, eligible students younger than 19 years old can still apply for a pass, which is charged at cost. The cost of the pass is:

Please note: Rail passes issued through Medway Council cannot be used on high speed train services.

Point-to-point tickets can only be used on school days for one return journey each day between the points shown on the ticket and not for any other journey.

Flexible tickets allow unlimited travel on the selected day(s) until 6pm throughout the Arriva network of services in Medway and Kent.

Please note that the prices shown are for the Summer term (April to July 2010) Prices for the following academic year September 2010) will be added accordingly.

If your journey is not shown, or you need further information please contact the Transport and Benefits Team using the details below.

Any ticket issued to a pupil will be subject to the conditions of travel of the bus or train company operating the service. If you accept a ticket, you and your child accept these conditions. If your child misbehaves on a bus or train his or her ticket may be withdrawn and you would then have to make your own daily arrangements.

The pupil named on the ticket is the only person entitled to use it. If your child gives his or her ticket to another child to use or if your child uses another child’s ticket, both could be prosecuted by the bus or train company. If your child no longer needs a ticket, it is your responsibility to return it to the Transport and Benefits Team without delay.

Completing the application form

Complete the application form as accurately as possible and return it to the address shown. Indicate clearly where transport is needed from and whether or not you need a point-to-point or flexible pass. Most bus and train companies issue tickets which include photo-cards, so the council will also need a photograph of your child. When returning your completed application form, ensure that a passport-sized photograph is attached to your application form, with your child’s name clearly printed on the back and the correct payment is enclosed . Please note that applications can take up to four weeks to process. All passes will be posted first class to your home address unless you arrange to collect them.

Renewing students

If you pay for a year’s ticket your pass will be issued until the end of the academic year. If you pay for a term’s ticket your pass will be issued until the end of that term. A renewal application form will be sent to your home address in time for the new term to enable you to apply for the following terms pass if needed.

Learner Support Fund

The Sixth form learner support fund is a grant to help students in Years 12 and 13 with the cost of continuing their education into the sixth form. Further information is available from your school or college or by contacting the Transport and Benefits Team, using the details below.

Further information

Any ticket issued to a student will be subject to the conditions of travel of the bus or train company operating the service. If you accept a ticket, you accept these conditions. If you misbehave on a bus or train your ticket may be withdrawn and you would then have to make your own daily arrangements. The student named on the ticket is the only person entitled to use it. If you give your ticket to someone else to use or if you use someone elses ticket, both could be prosecuted by the bus or train company. If you no longer need a ticket it is your responsibility to return it to the Transport and Benefits Team without delay.

Diploma students

If you are studying a diploma and need to travel from your home address to more than one site of education in Medway or Kent you can apply for a flexible ticket. This would allow unlimited travel on the day(s) you have selected until 6pm. Please indicate clearly on the application form the transport needed and the days of the week in which you need to travel.

Half price bus fare scheme

The Half-price bus fare scheme entitles students in full time education, up to the age of 18 or until the end of Year 13, whichever is sooner, to travel to and from school/college by bus at child fare (half the adult fare) up to 6pm Monday to Friday. To qualify students must live in Medway and travel to any school/college within Medway or Kent (as long as all changes of bus are within Medway) and be in receipt of a valid pass, which costs £5. Application forms and further information are available from your school or college or by contacting Medway Council's Transport and Benefits Team on 01634 331155.

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