Travel Support

The 2026/27 Exclusive and Discounted South Devon College Travel Pass

Working in partnership with Stagecoach, we have secured an amazing South Devon College Travel Pass offer available to all South Devon College students and staff!

Our Stagecoach South Devon College Travel Pass offers UNLIMITED travel from 1^st September 2026 until 11^th July 2027. Depending on your location, you can choose between a Torbay Zone or South West Zone Pass, giving you the independence and freedom to study, work, socialise and explore!

FREE South Devon College Travel Passes:

If you are:

• Aged 16 – 19 and living with a household income of less than £30,000
• Aged 19+ and living with an earned income of less than £35,000

Please note: 14-16 Home Educated students, 14-16 High School Year 10’s, Apprentices and students undertaking ‘full-cost’ courses, do not qualify for Bursary Support. Should you be starting Year 11 in September 2026, there may be some funding for you to apply for, however you must meet a specific criteria. Should you wish to discuss this further please email us. 

Bursary funding is limited and is awarded on a first come, first served basis. We highly recommended that you apply as early as possible, funds open on 20th May 2026.

If eligible, click here to apply for a bursary

UPGRADE?

If you have been awarded bursary fund support and you live in the Torbay Zone, you will receive a free Torbay Zone Travel Pass. You can upgrade this to an South West Zone Pass for just £92 per term or £276 for the year!  Contact the Funding and Transport Team should you wish to do this!

Exciting change for 26/27! Access your Bus Pass through the Stagecoach App! 

For 26/27, we have teamed up with Stagecoach so students can access their bus pass directly through the Stagecoach App! Once you have either purchased or had your funding put in place for your bus pass you will be emailed a code approximately two weeks from the valid from date to activate your bus pass. 

5 Simple Steps to Get Your Bus Pass: 

1. Once you have your code, download and create an account on the Stagecoach app. 
2. Search your location for your ticket type and add to basket. 
3. Enter your discount code that South Devon College sent you. 
4. Download your ticket. 
5. Activate your ticket and off you go. 

Should you need further support please view our simple step by step guide for either android or iOS users below. 

DISCOUNTED South Devon College Travel Pass for all other students

If you do not qualify for free travel, please see below, your travel pass will be available at a heavily discounted price.

SDC Stagecoach Torbay Zone Travel Pass: £660: Covers: Brixham, Kingswear, Dartmouth, Paignton, Torquay, Totnes, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish

SDC Stagecoach South West Zone Travel Pass: £936: Covers the Torbay Zone plus: South Brent, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Plymouth, Chudleigh, Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh and Exeter.

+ Ferry Pass: £252 You can add a Dartmouth to Kingswear ferry pass for just an extra £84 per term! This will cover your timetabled College days only.

You can pay annually through our Online Store, apply for our Direct Debit payment option, or visit the college to pay by cash, card, or cheque (payable to South Devon College). If you wish to pay by monthly instalments, please complete and forward our Direct Debit Form to the funding team on [email protected] or providing a copy to Student Services. Please note that the Direct Debit payment option is subject to a £15 administration fee. The number of instalments available will depend on the date your application is submitted, as all payments must be completed by April 2027.

Which Bus would I Catch?

Please see below the Stagecoach zones and the network.

• For specific details, see Traveline
• Or Stagecoach Journey Route Planner: Bus Journey Planner | Find Bus Routes | Stagecoach 

Stagecoach buses that stop at South Devon College:

Torbay Zone:

Torbay Network:

South West Network:

Please note: In line with Stagecoach guidelines, we are only able to issue refunds for Stagecoach bus passes within the first 2 weeks of the valid from date on the pass. Refunds will be made at the discretion of the Funding and Transport Team.  

For all other passes, e.g. ferry/ train/ taxis, there may be some discretion with refunds, but again these would be made at the discretion of the Funding and Transport Team with regards to either partial or full refunds.  

Taxis for 16-18 year olds

Specialist Transport Support for 16-18 year olds

Specialist transport may be available for students who are aged 16-18 or 19-24 and hold an EHCP and studying a full-time course and require specialist transport based on medical grounds or SEND needs.

Who decides whether Specialist Transport is provided?

Specialist transport is assessed and approved by the student’s Local Authority, either Torbay Council or Devon County Council. South Devon College does not make any decision about whether a student is eligible for Specialist transport or whether a seat on this service is approved. As the Local Authority funds the majority of the cost to this service each year, they will assess the student’s circumstances and, where appropriate, allocate a place. 

Devon County Council

Torbay Council

How is the cost of the taxi funded?

Once a place has been approved and funds allocated by the Local Authority, the remaining cost (students contribution) is dealt with through the South Devon College Bursary Fund and/or a contribution from the student or their family.

There are two possible scenarios:

If the student is eligible for Bursary support

If the household income meets the eligibility criteria for the 16–18 Bursary Fund, South Devon College can use the Bursary Fund to cover the student’s contribution towards the specialist transport. This means there is no contribution to pay from the student or family, subject to the student continuing to meet the Bursary Fund eligibility requirements.

If the student is not eligible for Bursary support

If the household income is above the Bursary Fund income threshold, the student may still use the placement that has been approved and funded in part by their Local Authority. In this situation, the Local Authority will continue to pay the majority of the annual specialist transport cost. The student/family contribution is £660 for the 26/27 academic year, with South Devon College funding the remaining amount of the student’s contribution.

What happens after a placement is approved?

Once the Local Authority has approved the specialist transport provision, the College will liaise with the Local Authority and its transport provider where necessary to help arrange the specialist transport and the appropriate payment arrangements. Families are encouraged to contact the Funding and Transport Team if they have any questions about the process, eligibility for Bursary support or require help with their application.

Please note: South Devon College cannot approve specialist transport. The decision to provide a placement remains solely with the associated Local Authority.  

Replacement Devon County Council Passes 

If you have lost your Devon County Council travel pass, you need to order a replacement online. Devon County Council also charge £5.00 for a replacement bus pass. Please visit the Devon County Council website. 

If you have any queries or for more information please contact the Funding and Transport Team on: 

Email: [email protected]