The council has relaunched its discounted bus travel card to help young people aged 16-19 who are attending a Southampton college or school sixth form get to their classes.

Southampton City Council has worked with the two main bus operators in the city, Bluestar and First Bus, to reduce travel costs for 16-19 year old students.

The student bus travel cards will cover academic terms, including half-term breaks, and will offer unlimited travel within the city between 6am and midnight. Discounts from the bus operators and government grants secured by the council will enable students to use buses for as little as £6 per week during the 2012/13 academic year – some 30 per cent cheaper than standard three-monthly ticket prices. The most disadvantaged students will have travel cards fully funded by their school or college.

The agreement with the bus operators will help sustain the discount in future years. Schools and colleges are backing the scheme and recognise the importance of removing financial barriers to ensure young people can access further education in the city.

Cards can be obtained by applying directly to student services at school and colleges. More details are available on the council website at http://www.southampton.gov.uk/collegepass