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Transport passes

Passes for the start of term in September are posted in late August with a letter advising the journey details. Passes are not sent out all at once so don’t worry if your child’s friends receive theirs first.

If you have not received your child’s pass within 4 days of the beginning of term please call 0345 155 1019.

‘No pass, no travel’ policy

A ‘No pass, no travel’ policy operates on the school transport at the school your child will be attending. This means that pupils are not allowed to board vehicles unless they can show a current pass. It is also important that they travel on the bus on which they have been allocated a seat as this will avoid overloading.

Please ensure your child has their pass each morning before they leave for school. It is a parental responsibility to accompany their child(ren) to and from the bus; though we accept that in many cases this is perhaps not possible, or indeed necessary.

However, it is essential that your child knows what to do in the event they have forgotten their pass and are not allowed to travel, or if the vehicle does not arrive for some reason. This could be returning home, telephoning you as the parent/carer for assistance, or perhaps going to a neighbour’s house.

If your child loses their pass during the day a temporary pass can be obtained from the school’s reception. This can be used whilst you order a replacement pass for your child.

There are two different types of pass for pupils under 16. Pupils cannot request a certain type of pass as this will depend on the pupil’s age and the type of vehicle they travel on to school or college.

  • Public pass

    A sample public pass

    This pass is issued to eligible pupils of statutory school age who travel to school by public service bus. The pass can only be used at the normal school times at the beginning and end of the day, or on later services provided the journey commences before 7.00 pm.

  • Contract pass

    This pass is issued to eligible pupils of statutory school age who travel to school or college on a contract coach, DCC minibus or taxi. The pass can only be used at the normal school and college times at the beginning and end of the day

    A sample contract pass primary school
    (for primary school pupils)

    Example contract pass secondary school
    (for secondary school pupils)

Photographs on passes

Passes for secondary aged pupils and post-16 students must have a passport-sized photograph printed on them. We will send eligible students more information about this when we contact you about your eligibility to transport assistance.

It is important that the photographs are sent to us as soon as possible after these letters are received. A pass will not be issued without a photograph.

Upload a photograph >

Alternatively, you can download and print a travel pass photo form or call 0345 155 1019 to request a copy.

Please note that by uploading your/your child’s photograph you are agreeing that you/your child will abide by the code of conduct.

Pupils attending special schools and travelling on contract coaches, minibuses and taxis will not require a photograph on their pass and some pupils may not require a pass at all. However, all pupils travelling on public service will require a pass with a photograph.

Lost or damaged passes

A replacement pass costs £5.

Apply for a replacement bus pass online >

Alternatively you can ask at school for a replacement pass form or download and print a replacement pass form here.

Please return the form and your payment to:

Ticket Team
TCS
County Hall
Exeter
EX2 4QD

If a pupil loses their pass during the day they should go to the school administration office to ask for a temporary pass. The school administrator will check whether they are entitled to travel on the bus. It is essential the replacement is ordered promptly so that it will arrive before the temporary pass expires.

Please note that a temporary pass will enable you to travel to and from college, but discounted fares will not be available.

Student Smartrider Pass

If you are over 16 years old and eligible for transport assistance from Devon County Council you will be issued with a Devon Smartrider Pass.

Your Devon Smartrider Pass will give you one pre-paid journey to college and one pre-paid journey from college on the days specified, including connections. The operator for this journey is specified on your ticket. The journey home must start from college by 9.30 pm

The pass will also give you reduced-price bus travel after 6.00 pm on college days, all day at weekends and during college holidays on services operated by the bus companies listed below.

£1.30 flat fare 1/3 discount
Buses of Somerset Axe Valley Mini Travel
Dartline Country Bus
First Wessex, Dorset & South Somerset Filers Travel
Stagecoach South West Hatch Green Coaches
Tally Ho Coaches

*Bus services only

Where is your Smartrider Pass valid?

  • The pre-paid journey to and from college is valid between the points set out on your pass on the days of the week specified.
  • The off-peak travel discounts are valid anywhere in Devon on the companies listed above, including within Plymouth and Torbay.
  • The pass is valid to and from the following towns outside Devon: Bude, Chard, Dulverton, Launceston, Lyme Regis, Saltash, Taunton and Wellington.

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