Consultation Response
Welsh Government: Learner travel operational guidance 2025
Deadline for Response: 3 September 2025
The Welsh Government is consulting on the draft second edition of the Learner Travel Operational Guidance. The draft guidance 2025 makes changes to the first edition of the guidance which was published in 2014. The majority of the amendments reflect changes to legislation and policy that have taken place since the guidance came into force, for example, greater clarity on transport provision for learners with additional learning needs is needed following the passage of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act (ALNET).
In our response, ColegauCymru has focused on the increased costs in learner travel that colleges have faced over the last year, the complexity of different funding models, and ALN travel. Over the last year alone, college travel costs have increased by more than £3.2million, and according to Welsh Government data, 41% of 16 to 24 years olds identify transport as being the number one barrier to getting a new course, training or a job. Many colleges in Wales span multiple different local authority areas, and local authorities offer different levels of financial support, which means that even for individual colleges, this creates a complex picture for colleges and learners. Although travel is mentioned within the ALNET Act, there are no requirements identified for post-16 travel, and it is not classed as an Additional Learning Provision (ALP). The amount of funding is governed by the local authority areas and the colleges themselves. Therefore, the offer of ALN travel for learners is highly dependent on the college, local authority area and the amount of funding and / or specialist equipment needed to transport the person.
Travel must never a barrier to learning, training placements or accessing enrichment activities. It is important that all learners are treated fairly whether they access travel on public bus routes, college funded buses or on trains.
Further Information
Amy Williams, Policy Officer
Amy.Williams@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
