Coleg Cambria warns of “postcode lottery” in Wales student travel

Coleg Cambria is calling for urgent action to help end the ‘postcode lottery’ in student transport funding across Wales.

An “absence of equality” is leaving many learners and their families “bearing the brunt of unfair travel costs”, the college has said.

Yana Williams, Chief Executive of Coleg Cambria, expressed her disappointment with the current system, highlighting the disparity in support, with some local authorities funding free bus travel for post-16 learners while others provide none.

“It is fundamentally unfair that where a student lives determines their access to education,” said Ms Williams.

“Many of our learners will be forced to choose between essential living and learning materials and paying for bus fares, something other students in Wales don’t have to make a decision on – this is unacceptable.”

From September, Coleg Cambria will introduce subsidised rather than free transport for students living more than three miles from its campuses in Wrexham, Deeside, Llysfasi, and Northop.

Over 4,000 learners from across the region – and over the border – have received free transport every weekday for many years, through a combination of contracted buses and public transport.

But in October 2024 the “difficult decision” was made due to rising costs and a “lack of dedicated funding for post-16 learners via the Welsh Government and the local authorities of Flintshire and Wrexham”.

Yana Williams, Chief Executive of Coleg Cambria

“Coleg Cambria has for many years funded all its students’ transport costs, a burden of over £2.4 million annually,” said Ms Williams.

“This equates to approximately £400 per learner, a cost that diverts crucial funds from essential support services such as in-class assistance, mental health, ALN support, and digital technology.”

Ms Williams also criticised the Welsh Government’s response to the issue, following its discussion in the Senedd.

“Instead of addressing the core issue of equity, the focus shifted to the subsidised costs our learners would incur,” she said.

“This is deeply frustrating when we are fighting to remove barriers to education, particularly those associated with poverty. The Welsh Government’s equality plan is undermined by the current system.”

While welcoming the recent £1 a journey initiative for 2025/26, Ms Williams emphasised it does not solve the fundamental problem.

“This £1 bus deal is a separate issue and does not address the lack of free transport provision for post-16 learners,” she said.

“Moreover, it will not directly help young people in rural areas with poor and irregular transport links.”

Ms Williams added: “Our rural sites and students face particular challenges.

“Even with the £1 fare, many learners cannot access public transport to arrive by 9am. It is still £1 a journey more than many other learners across Wales have to pay.

“Coleg Cambria urges the Welsh Government to act decisively and implement a Wales-wide, equitable transport funding policy that prioritises student potential and ensures all learners can pursue their educational aspirations without financial barriers.”