Transport

Writtle University College currently operate a shuttle bus service to and from the railway and bus station area in Chelmsford mornings and evenings during FE term times.

The minibuses pickup in Coval Lane, Chelmsford (beside the council offices). This is a first come first served service. No fee or prior booking necessary.

The service runs Monday to Friday during FE term dates at the following times:

• Morning: 8:00am to 9:15am (Full Service)
  (Due to the high demand for the service and that this service is subject to traffic conditions, it is the responsibility of the student to reach the pickup point as early as possible to leaving ample time to gain transport to reach the College in time for the start of the College day).
• Day Service: 10:00am to 3:00pm (Limited Service)
• Evening: 3:00pm to 6:00pm (Full Service)
  (Note: Last minibus from Cow Watering Campus 17:50 pm. Service times will be published nearer start of the Academic Year)

During full service times indicated above, WUC minibuses will be continually in operation on the route.

Dates of Service

All Writtle University College transport runs during FE term times. See the term dates page for more information.

Contact

For information contact the transport department on 01245 424262 or send us an Email.

Further Education Students Local Councils

Each council has its own transport policy, and information relates only to students living within Essex. We therefore suggest that you contact the council, specific to where you live to discuss schemes operating in your area and check that the service selected is the most cost effective.

Essex County Council - Post 16 Transport

Students can apply for Post-16 transport assistance from Essex County Council if you are under 19 at the beginning of the academic year and met their criteria. Students will need to apply direct to Essex County Council for eligibility.

For further information visit or contact:

Tele: 0845 603 2200
Email: educationawards@essex.gov.uk
Website: www.essex.gov.uk/school-transport/post-16-transport

Southend City Council (SCC)

There is a scheme for students over the age of 16 and up to 19, transport awards are discretionary. If students live in the City of Southend-on-Sea they can apply direct to SCC for eligibility to travel under the Post 16 Transport Scheme.

Tele: 01702 215007
Website: www.southend.gov.uk/etc

Thurrock Borough Council (TBC)

Thurrock will only consider travel assistance for students who have an EHCP with special needs. If your child's education, health and care (EHC) plan assessment has found that support with transport is necessary to meet their needs, you should complete the application form on the 1st June 2023 when the new policy statement is updated.

Families with students without special needs should be applying for a 16-19 bursary to support transport costs. Please follow link below for funding criteria.

There has not yet been a decision as to whether we will charge for the transport provided for SEN students. The updated policy statement and webpage please see link below.

Website: www.thurrock.gov.uk/home-to-school-travel-support/support-for-learners-over-16-years-old

Greater Anglia is pleased to offer students of Writtle University College, a discount on rail travel when travelling to College by train.

Train ticket discounts are available for all ages, 16 to 19-year-olds in full-time education could save 50% on Season Tickets valid for a complete term or academic year.

Travel must be between any two stations within the Greater Anglia network and excludes Travelcard and Oyster areas.

Up to 50% discount on:

• Term tickets
• Academic year tickets
• Monthly direct debit tickets
• All tickets issued on durable Smartcard's

Booking available from August 2023

All scholar tickets are available at railplus.greateranglia.co.uk

If you need more help, feel free to give us a call, we are open Monday to Friday
Tele: 0345 600 7245 - option 3,
Lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Get 50% off train travel with a 16-17 Saver

If you're aged 16 or 17, you can now enjoy 50% off standard Anytime, Off-Peak, Advance and Season tickets, helping you save money on trips into town, days out to the coast, travel to college or weekend festivals - as many times as you like.

A 16-17 Saver is just £30 and is valid for one year or until your 18th birthday, whichever comes first.

Download your 16-17 Saver to your phone with the Railcard app or keep your 16-17 Saver in your wallet to get half price tickets across the National Rail network (excluding travel on ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services).

How to buy

Online

The quickest and easiest way to buy is online. All you need is:

1. Evidence of age - a valid UK driving licence, passport or national ID card
2. A good quality digital passport-style photo ready to upload
3. A debit or credit card for payment

If you don't have any of the above forms of ID, you can upload a scan of your birth certificate or a Government-approved PASS card instead. Please note that applications using these will take a little longer to process.

By phone

You can buy your 16-17 Saver over the phone. Call our telesales service on 0345 301 1656* (7am to 10pm every day except Christmas Day).
You'll need:

1. Evidence of age - a valid UK driving licence, passport or national ID card - over the phone or email us a copy
2. A good quality digital passport-style photo ready to be emailed to us
3. A debit or credit card for payment

*Calls cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02) and may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes. Please note, you'll also need to submit your photo via email.

The 16-17 Saver is not available to buy at stations.

Get 1/3 off train travel with a 16-25 Railcard

There's every reason to be happy if you're aged 16 to 25, because with this Railcard you'll enjoy 1/3 off rail fares when you go by train. You can also apply for one if you're a mature student in full time study, as long as you're eligible.

The Railcard costs just £30. So after three or four trips, the card will have paid for itself. And over a year, you could save an average of £159*.

Your 16-25 Railcard will save you 1/3 off a wide range of tickets.

Your Railcard doesn't just save you money on travel. It saves you money with our partners too - on days out, restaurants, hotels and more. Visit our Offers and Rewards area regularly to keep up to date on the great deals available.

Minimum Fares and Time Restrictions

A £12 minimum fare applies for journeys starting between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday excluding Advance Fares. This minimum fare does not apply on public holidays or throughout July and August. For full details of minimum fares, please ask at your local staffed station and some National Rail-licensed Travel Agents.

If you travel regularly between 04:30 and 09:59 Monday to Friday, to work or your place of study for instance, a weekly or monthly Season ticket could be the best way for you to save money. Railcards do not give discounts on Season tickets.

Remember, not every ticket type is available for every journey that you might want to make, so it's always best to check before booking. And be sure to read the full terms and conditions for using your Railcard.

Get more for your money with a 3-year Railcard

If you're between 16 and 25, and you know you're going to be doing a lot of travelling over the next 3 years, why not buy a 3-year Railcard instead? It costs just £70, saving you £20 on the price of three 1-year Railcards. What's more you can get a 3-year 16-25 Railcard right up until the day before your 24th birthday.

*Average saving is based on the average savings made by 16-25 Railcard holders between April 2021 and March 2022, excluding price of Railcard.

For further information contact or visit:

• Tel: 0345 30000 250
• In person a staffed station ticket office
• Website: www.16-25railcard.co.uk

Students and staff, attending Writtle University College, can purchase discounted bus travel for First Essex buses via the Student Travel Club (STC): www.firstbus.co.uk/essex/stc

To register to the Writtle College Student Travel Club, and gain access to discounted tickets, you require a verification passcode. Passcodes are available from the Writtle University College Transport Department.

Please email the following information to the Transport Office to obtain this code:
- Full name of student
- Student number
- Email address

The transport office contact details:
Email: transport@writtle.ac.uk

Passcodes will be distributed in early August 2023

You will receive an email containing your unique passcode and the following STC information:
- how to register to the Student Travel Club
- the ticket types available
- how to purchase a web-to-mobile ticket
- how to download the First Bus App and create an account

Tickets Prices 2023-2024

Student Travel 2023-24

Do you or your child travel to University, College or School by bus? If so, we've got the perfect solution! Arriva Student and Child Saver tickets are valid for anyone in full time education and, is a cost effective and flexible way of paying for travel costs.

Unlimited travel

You'll get unlimited access to travel on any Arriva bus, at any time, across all routes in your chosen area.

No restrictions

The Saver tickets will cover your travel to and from University, School or College, evenings, weekends and throughout the holidays too at any time of the day.

Flexible payments

Arriva's Direct Debit scheme allows you to spread the cost of your ticket over affordable monthly payments. It's an easy way to pay for travel and there's no contract involved, making it an ideal way to get reduced bus travel for the whole Academic year, without paying upfront.

Sign up in advance

Either set your direct debit to start at a future date for when you need the ticket or, you can start your ticket now to get used to the local bus routes.

Plan your journey

Please use our 'Plan a journey' tool on our website to work out which bus you require or, download our app on the Apple Store or Google Play: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk

Buy Online

It's a simple process to apply, to arrange your Direct Debit and for further information please use the link below and, select the region the school, college or university is in:
Visit: www.arrivabus.co.uk/monthlytickets

Once registered you can select either to receive your monthly pass by post or sent to your mobile phone, so you won't have to worry about paying every time you board the bus. This ticket will rollover every month for as long as the direct debit remains active.

For any queries regarding the scheme, please Email: talktous@arriva.co.uk

DigiGo is an on-demand minibus service that is booked via the TravelEssex app. The vehicles have no fixed bus route or timetable. Passengers select their pickup and drop off points, and the system automatically calculates the route, catering for any pickups along the way.

The app displays 'virtual stops' near to the pick-up locations, meaning that passengers are just a very short walk away from pick-up. This reduces the long journeys some have to take to get to a traditional bus stop. You must search for journeys within these operational areas to book a DigiGo ride.

All Single DigiGo fares capped at £2 until 31 December 2024!
Find out more

Key Information

• Operates 7 days a week, from 7am to 10pm (excluding bank holidays)
• Ordered via the TravelEssex app
• Telephone booking is available Monday to Friday, 10am to 12pm, on 03330 137 138
• Can be pre-booked up to 7 days in advance, or booked on-demand (ASAP)
• Bookings can be made for up to 10 passengers

Example Journeys

• Getting to and from Braintree Community Hospital or Broomfield Hospital
• Getting to and from Braintree Train Station or Braintree Bus Interchange for onward travel
• Commuting to Skyline 120, Horizon 120 and Springwood Industrial Estate
• A family day out at Great Notley Country Park
• Reaching Writtle University College
• Getting to and from Chelmer Valley Park and Ride for onward travel into Chelmsford City Centre
• A seamless trip to your favourite country pub!

More Information

For further information contact or visit:

• Eamil: digigo@essex.gov.uk
• Website: www.essexhighways.org/digigo
• Social Media (FB, IG & X): @DigiGoUK

DigiGo Prices

DigiGo fares offer three ticket options - Adult, Young person and Concession.

The table below outlines single fares, per person.

As part of the Government's Bus Fare Cap Grant all single DigiGo fares are currently capped at £2 until 31 December 2024. Prices shown in green below:

*Concession's travel free after 9am on weekdays and at all times at weekends. Before 9am on weekdays the standard fares apply. For information on Essex Concessionary Bus Passes, please visit www.essexhighways.org/concessionary-fares

A young person on DigiGo services is classified as under 18 years of age.

DigiGo - Questions and answers

What is DigiGo?

1. Who is DigiGo for?

Everyone! Whether you're travelling to school, work or for a social occasion - DigiGo is for you. We do ask that children aged 10 and under are accompanied by parent, guardian or carer.

2. Where can I use DigiGo?

DigiGo is currently available in two areas - South Braintree and Central Essex - with detailed maps showing the exacts areas they cover. These are pilot schemes running for two years. If it works, we'll seek funding to operate more DigiGo services in other parts of Essex.

3. What does 'on demand' mean?

'On demand' is when you book a journey at short notice (e.g. for 15/20 minutes time) - this option gives the ultimate flexibility and is the best way to use the DigiGo service.

4. How does DigiGo differ to traditional bus services?

DigiGo is an electric, shared public transport service - it operates fully flexibly. There are no fixed routes, no timetables nor use of bus stops, like a traditional bus service would. You are in control - you can book a journey on-demand (for a journey needed quickly) or in advance (up to 7 days before) through the TravelEssex app.

5. Isn't DigiGo just a taxi service?

Nope - DigiGo is not a private hire service - it is a new form of shared public transport. The app has a clever algorithm to group similar bookings going to similar areas at similar times; all without impacting on the time you need to arrive by. Additionally, it does not offer a door-to-door service.

Bookings and payments

1. How can I pay for a journey?

Journeys can be paid for through the TravelEssex app (iOS/Android) - it's the quickest and easiest way to do it. There is also a phone booking service available, where a customer cannot use the app for any reason.

2. Can I prebook a journey?

Yep! Up to 7 days in advance of the journey. Ideal for those who like peace of mind that their journey is all booked in.

3. Will I be guaranteed a return journey home?

To do this, book your return journey at the same time as your outbound journey. You can do this through the TravelEssex app. This enables the app to operate properly based on demand from customers in your local area.

4. Can I make a group booking?

This functionality is coming in Summer 2022. When it's ready you'll be able to book for up to 6 people. So that's you plus 5 others.

5. How long will it take for a minibus to pick me up?

When making your booking through the TravelEssex app (iOS/Android), it will advise you of the estimate pick-up time. Nearer the time of the journey, you will be able to track your minibus in realtime. You'll also receive text messages advising when the minibus is nearby and has arrived to pick you up. No need to wait outside in the cold or rain unnecessarily!

6. How will I know where my assigned minibus is?

DigiGo is not a door-to-door service; it is a corner-to-corner service instead. What this means is that you'll be picked-up and dropped-off near to your start location/destination. The app will guide you to where the minibus is collecting you from, with real-time tracking available.

7. The app advises there is no vehicle available, why not? Surely you just put more buses on!

This means the service has been really popular in your local area/time selected. We would advise trying to book a journey for a slightly different time. There may be spare capacity for an earlier or later time. As the demand for the service grows, we will continue to review the number of electric minibuses in operation and seek to expand, where there is a case to do so.

8. I made a mistake on my booking, how do I change it?

Within the app there is the option to cancel a journey and then you can simply rebook for the desired journey. Your journeys appear in the app menu under 'DigiGo - on demand'; click on the one you wish to cancel, when it opens, click on the menu in the top right and choose 'Cancel ride'.

9. Can I cancel a booking and will I get a refund?

Yes - you can cancel a booking in the app easily. The charge for the journey is taken on completion, which avoids the need for refunds. Those who persistently book and cancel journeys may have their accounts suspended at the sole discretion of the service.

10. What happens if I don't show up?

You'll be charged the full cost of your journey.

11. Is the service accessible and how do I book?

Yes it is - we can transport wheelchair users onboard. For now, we ask you to book via our telephone booking service; so we can ensure your journey is setup right for you. Wheelchairs must be crash tested and have the manufacturer's crash test certificate. We reserve the right to decline a journey if this condition is not met.

12. I chose the wrong ticket type when setting up my account; how do I change this?

In the menu of the app, selected 'My Account'. On the next screen, under 'My Profile', you'll see the current profile selected for you (e.g. Adult, Young person, Concession). Under the same heading, the app gives you the option to add or remove a profile, giving you the flexibility to alter this to the correct type.

13. I'm a concession, why do you collect payment details from me before I choose my ticket type?

This is part of your account creation and only needs to be done once, after which your details are stored to make future journey bookings quick and easy. Journeys for concessions before 9am on weekdays are charged at the standard adult rate, so if someone with a concessionary bus pass travels at this time, the app needs to be able to collect a fare from you. Rest assured, no charge will be made at times when concessions travel for free.

Onboard the minibus

1. What do I need to show the driver when I board?

Please show them the confirmation of journey booking from the app and advise them of your name. For concessionary pass passengers, you'll need to show your pass to the driver. Please ensure the name on the pass matches the name you entered in the app, and that the pass is in-date/valid.

2. How do I recognise the right minibus/driver to know I have boarded the right vehicle?

When you have booked your journey, the app will advise the name of your driver and the registration of the vehicle collecting you - giving you full confidence.

3. What am I allowed to bring/do onboard the minibus?

We ask that passengers do not eat/drink or smoke/vape on the minibuses. Mobility scooters, escooters, pets and bikes are also not permitted onboard. We welcome guide dogs, folding scooters, folding bikes, folding buggies, small shopping trolleys and small amounts of personal luggage (e.g. if using DigiGo for onward travel to the airport).

4. I've left some lost property on the vehicle, how do I retrieve?

Drop us an email and we'll arrange a time for you to collect it from us. We keep items for up to one month, other than perishable items, which are disposed of daily.

Feedback

1. I have an enquiry, how do I contact DigiGo support?

Please email us at DigiGo@essex.gov.uk and we'll do our best to help. We'd also love your feedback directly in the TravelEssex app, which is available in the menu bar, or after completing a journey with DigiGo.

2. I'd love to offer feedback on the service, how do I?

There are several ways to do this. You can rate the app in the app store, feedback directly in the app (within the menu) or drop us an email to DigiGo@essex.gov.uk DigiGo is a brand new form of shared public transport and we want to continuously improve and develop it over time. We value constructive feedback, always, even if it might be hard to hear.