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College transport non existent

107 replies

Reallyneedsaholiday · 10/02/2026 12:12

Why is it so shit? DD goes to our “local” college. 18 miles away. Minimum 3 buses or bus, train, bus and 15 minute walk. Minimum 2 1/2 hours to get there. When she signed up, in September, there was a direct bus, albeit meandering, which took an hour and a half, running once a day (7am) to college and then once a day leaving college at 5pm (home at 7pm). That lasted until October, when they cancelled it. Now, she needs to leave the house at 6.30 and doesn’t get home until 8pm, when the buses are running properly. This morning, she’s just come home after leaving at 6.30, still not even having made it there, due to bus cancellations and diversions (in case of scepticism she has photos of the bus stop signs saying “cancelled”) So that was £12 down the drain for transport costs to nowhere. I can’t take her myself, as I don’t have a car. I really don’t know what to do anymore. She’s unmotivated to even try and get there anymore (don’t really blame her). She’s missed quite a bit (although her attendance isn’t the worst in the group). If she leaves, I could be fined and would lose all child benefit, child maintenance etc. without qualifications it’s really hard to get a job. We don’t live “in the back of beyond” but in a reasonable sized and growing town. AIBU to think that a reasonable standard of (affordable and efficient) public transport should be available for college, especially given that it is a legal requirement to remain in education until 18?

OP posts:
Fearfulsaints · 14/02/2026 08:45

I agree the post 16 educaction landscape is a bit of a mess and there is no transport plan to back it up.

If you want to do 3 A levels at your closest school its ok. But if you miss grades or want a vocational route its been underfunded and spread out. My area the schools dont even have sixth forms anyway. You have to go to college. There isnt a mechanism to retake gcses other than maths and english. You can do a vocational level 2 course alongside that, but not in my town.

Have you made sure you've got any travel cards available to reduce costs. Theres a card in my la area that 16 -19 year olds get discounted bus fairs. That doesnt help logistics and time though.also some colleges have bursaries. (Again not a help if no bus turns up)

GhettoSnoopystar · 14/02/2026 08:37

Skybluepinky · 10/02/2026 12:24

Change to a local one she can get to.

It is the local one. She clearly says so in her post.

MasterBeth · 14/02/2026 08:34

ItsNotMeEither · 13/02/2026 16:40

I'm not in the UK, but would an electric bike or electric scooter be an option? Where I live a lot of younger people ride those with a backpack on for school.

I know you mentioned the motorway, but surely there are some side roads if the original bus was meandering everywhere as you said.

Private electric scooters are illegal to ride in the UK on public roads or pavements.

PinkFrogss · 14/02/2026 08:29

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 14/02/2026 08:17

what's the length of the non-motorway alternative route?
if you know anyone in your town who drives, could you ask them if they'd be willing to help out with lifts - even just taking her to the nearest place where there is a direct bus might make a huge difference.

separate question: Why not go back to school & retake the gcses?

OP I think the best option may be to try to find another student from nearby who drives and see if they will take your DD too. If you offer £10 a day most students would be very happy to give a lift and you’d save a bit too.

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 14/02/2026 08:17

Reallyneedsaholiday · 14/02/2026 00:42

Its 18 miles via the motorway.

what's the length of the non-motorway alternative route?
if you know anyone in your town who drives, could you ask them if they'd be willing to help out with lifts - even just taking her to the nearest place where there is a direct bus might make a huge difference.

separate question: Why not go back to school & retake the gcses?

Ponderingwindow · 14/02/2026 03:15

Vartden · 14/02/2026 02:17

Any friends who live nearer that she could board with during the week?
One of my classmates did this . You are paying so much in transport costs you could pay a friend's parents?

This is the first sensible answer. She would only need boarding for 5 nights and would be out at college all day.

EBearhug · 14/02/2026 03:02

My parents bought my sister a moped in similar circumstances, but if you cannot afford a car, you may not be able to afford a moped, either. I assume there's an alternative route to motorway, though it might add on some miles.

You should take it up with your County Councillor and MP.

On the subject of Hampshire, I was on the road in Basingstoke just as a couple of buses were coming out of QMC, and I did wonder if my taxes were going towards the double decker with what appeared to be just one or two passengers, becauseif so, it doesn'tseem the most efficientuse of money. But maybe it also goes on to BCOT, and maybe it was particularly empty because of the start of half term.

Vartden · 14/02/2026 02:17

Any friends who live nearer that she could board with during the week?
One of my classmates did this . You are paying so much in transport costs you could pay a friend's parents?

DrPrunesqualer · 14/02/2026 01:36

Heyhoherewego23 · 14/02/2026 01:20

If she didn’t get the required grades to stay on to sixth form she’s doing pretty low down on scheme of things. That would concern me. Find a work based apprenticeship.

Many 6th forms only do Alevels and many will only accept a 7 @GCSE to take them
That does not put them ‘low down’ !

Needmorelego · 14/02/2026 01:28

Heyhoherewego23 · 14/02/2026 01:20

If she didn’t get the required grades to stay on to sixth form she’s doing pretty low down on scheme of things. That would concern me. Find a work based apprenticeship.

That's a bit rude.

Heyhoherewego23 · 14/02/2026 01:20

If she didn’t get the required grades to stay on to sixth form she’s doing pretty low down on scheme of things. That would concern me. Find a work based apprenticeship.

DrPrunesqualer · 14/02/2026 00:57

ItsNotMeEither · 13/02/2026 16:40

I'm not in the UK, but would an electric bike or electric scooter be an option? Where I live a lot of younger people ride those with a backpack on for school.

I know you mentioned the motorway, but surely there are some side roads if the original bus was meandering everywhere as you said.

Electric scooters are only allowed in designated towns and only the hired ones are permitted.
Electric bikes are allowed.

Needmorelego · 14/02/2026 00:53

Heyhoherewego23 · 14/02/2026 00:51

So she didn’t pass any gCSEs? Then I guess you need to take what you can get? I have disabled son I drive 80 miles a day to get him the education he needs. It’s not great but the right thing for my child.

She said she didn't get the grades needed for 6th Form - not that she didn't get any GCSEs at all 🙄

Heyhoherewego23 · 14/02/2026 00:52

What was the plan? It can’t have been a shock?

Heyhoherewego23 · 14/02/2026 00:51

So she didn’t pass any gCSEs? Then I guess you need to take what you can get? I have disabled son I drive 80 miles a day to get him the education he needs. It’s not great but the right thing for my child.

Reallyneedsaholiday · 14/02/2026 00:42

Nitgel · 13/02/2026 16:48

This is so bad. I would contact your MP there are so many young people lost in the system and they are looking to stop this.

Thats a good idea

OP posts:
Reallyneedsaholiday · 14/02/2026 00:42

ItsNotMeEither · 13/02/2026 16:40

I'm not in the UK, but would an electric bike or electric scooter be an option? Where I live a lot of younger people ride those with a backpack on for school.

I know you mentioned the motorway, but surely there are some side roads if the original bus was meandering everywhere as you said.

Its 18 miles via the motorway.

OP posts:
Reallyneedsaholiday · 14/02/2026 00:41

DaisyChain505 · 13/02/2026 16:34

YABU for living in the middle of no where without think ahead to where your kids would go for their education.

Not driving yourself when you live so far away from everything isn’t fair on anyone in your family.

When I was in college I had a part time job and as soon as I turned 17 I was paying for my own driving lessons and saving for a car but I’m guessing because of where you live even this would be difficult for your daughter.

Can you relocate to a more ideal area with better connections to make life easier for everyone?

Edited

God forbid that circumstances and situations change. 🙄
Yes, I could possibly relocate, and possibly find a job that pays 50% less than I currently earn, with unaffordable housing and move my daughter away from her father. But its not really a preferred option for me.

OP posts:
Reallyneedsaholiday · 14/02/2026 00:38

nomas · 13/02/2026 16:16

Can you not afford a cheap car? My car is worth £800 and insurance is £250 per year. It’s worth it and I would sacrifice holidays, Christmas or anything like that for it.

No

OP posts:
Reallyneedsaholiday · 14/02/2026 00:35

Shittyyear2025 · 13/02/2026 14:26

So there's a VERY local 6th form attached to the school she's been going to for 5 years, but instead she's decided to go to a college that is practically impossible to get to, at a cost of £12 a day (£2300 a year just to get to college?!?)

My DD went to college rather than 6th form, over 20 miles away. Difference being they had subsidised transport provided by the college. Took 90 mins each way but doable as she went with some friends from school and soon made new ones en route.

Can she go back to 6th form? College just isn't going to work is it?

She didn't get the GCSEs required to stay in school. That was her first choice.

OP posts:
Reallyneedsaholiday · 14/02/2026 00:34

PrincessApples · 13/02/2026 14:00

Can she move in with her dad?

Not really. She wouldn't want to. He wouldn't have her. She'd still need to travel to college anyway.

OP posts:
Reallyneedsaholiday · 14/02/2026 00:32

I can barely afford the bus fare, let alone driving lessons and a bike

OP posts:
Reallyneedsaholiday · 14/02/2026 00:32

Nourishinghandcream · 13/02/2026 14:10

Mopeds and learners are not allowed on motorways.
How old is she?
If 17, could do a 5-day intensive course (longer ones are available if required) and walk away with a full license.

I can barely afford the bus fare, let alone driving lessons and a bike

OP posts:
menopausalmare · 13/02/2026 16:48

Moped?

Nitgel · 13/02/2026 16:48

This is so bad. I would contact your MP there are so many young people lost in the system and they are looking to stop this.