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<p>The statutory responsibility for post 16 transport rests with local authorities
who are required to publish a transport policy statement setting out the arrangements
they make to support young people to travel to further education and training.</p><p>
</p><p>These arrangements do not have to include free or subsidised transport, but
local authorities are expected to make reasonable decisions based on local needs,
circumstances and resources. Discounts or concessions are also available from local
transport companies and schools, colleges or other providers.</p><p> </p><p>Local
authorities are encouraged to develop a collaborative approach when developing their
statements to provide a full picture of the transport and support available. But it
is for local organisations to decide whether to provide support and what level of
discounts and concessions to give. The department does not collect specific information
on which local authorities, transport companies, or education and training providers
give free or subsidised transport for students in years 12 and 13.</p><p> </p><p>The
16 to 19 Bursary Fund is also available to help young people with the costs associated
with attending education or training, and transport is the biggest single area of
expenditure for which this fund is used. Schools and colleges are responsible for
deciding how to distribute their bursary allocations to students, and for establishing
what criteria to use.</p><p> </p>
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