New bus services make it even easier to get to college

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College is introducing a major expansion of its in-house bus service to make it easier for students to get to its campus.

The college, in Hill Lane, Southampton, has teamed up with Xelabus to offer a new route to the east of the city as well as an improved route from the west from the new term in September.

Executive Principal Andy Grant said the expanded service has come about as a result of rising student numbers at the college. “We have more students coming to us from all over the city and so we needed to do more to make it easier for them to get here, particularly from the east,” he said.

“We’ve looked carefully at where students are travelling from and come up with two routes that will give them convenient places to catch the bus. I’m really pleased that, thanks to our partnership with Xelabus, we are able to offer the most competitive prices in the city.

“It was really important to me that, at a time when families are seeing costs rise everywhere, we make every effort to make the bus fare affordable.”

The academic year fare for return travel to Richard Taunton will be £580, payable in two instalments of £290. Other colleges in the city charge up to £680 a year.

The new 504 Taunton service on the eastern route takes in Bitterne Manor, Merryoak, Woolston,  Sholing, Thornhill, Bitterne, Midanbury, Bitterne Park, Portswood, Bassett and Richard Taunton.

The 505 Taunton service on the western route will stop at Bevios Valley, St Mary’s, Red Funnel Ferry Terminal, Millbrook, Redbridge, Shirley Warren, Coxford and Richard Taunton.

Public bus services run by Bluestar, Unilink and Xelabus will also stop close to the college.

Mr Grant said: “We want our students to get the very best learning experience possible and transport to and from Richard Taunton is a big part of that. We’ll be constantly reviewing our bus service and listening to students to make sure it meets their needs as closely as possible.”

Xelabus Commercial Manager Phil Blair said: “We are delighted to be working with Richard Taunton College on the two services. We will be providing easy to understand maps and timetables for the college website and easy contacts if there are any issues.”

More information about the college bus services will be available during enrolment week from August 23 to 30 but you can find more out about getting to us here.

Some students may be entitled to help with the cost of their travel through our Student Bursary Scheme. More details here or by emailing bursary@lighthouselearningtrust.ac.uk.

See the new routes and timetable here

Pictured above: Richard Taunton Sixth Form College Executive Principal Andy Grant, centre, with Xelabus Managing Director Gareth Blair, left, and General Manager Dan Rayner

This story was originally published in August 2024 on this webpage.