For any information regarding travel at Samuel Whitbread Academy contact the Transport Manager at SWA-Transport@bestacademies.org.uk

 

Bus Routes

All updated route details can be found by clicking below. Select your route and check the times for collection. Please be there 5 minutes before collection time.
 

 

 

 

Route timetables, operators and the bus line up order is subject to change by the Academy or Central Bedfordshire Council at any time. We will endeavour to ensure this page is updated with the latest information.

 

In catchment transport information

Students applying to join Samuel Whitbread in year 9 and who live in the catchment area will need to apply to the Local Authority – Central Bedfordshire Council for a bus pass.

Please click here to view the September 2024 School Transport Guidance to Parents/Carers.

Please note that entitlement for free school transport is determined by Central Bedfordshire Council and your child’s application will be processed using the Home to School Transport Policy in place at the time of admission.

Post 16 Students (Sixth Form applicants) should visit the Travel Section of our Sixth Form tab for further information about concessionary travel for in catchment routes.
 

 

Out of catchment transport information

Samuel Whitbread Academy has been negotiating with new transport providers to ensure we can meet the transport needs of our out-of-catchment students, covered by the SW1, SW2 and SW3.

We are pleased to announce that Samuel Whitbread Academy has taken full responsibility of the routes from September 2022. An agreement has been made with Barton Coaches to ensure the long-term security of these routes. We have been able to negotiate terms that will keep the passes at the lowest prices possible.  Running the passes and routes internally has reduced overheads and kept costs down for parents/carers.

Payments and passes are handled through Shuttle ID and a link to the relevant portal will be sent when the Academy confirms places for the following academic year. Costs for the buses are reviewed annually, current costs are £30 per week for half-termly pass holders or £3.25 per journey for flexi pass (formerly Pay-as-you-go) holders. (Prices correct for 2024/25 academic year).

All students (current and perspective) must register their interest for the service each year to ensure we can plan for expected usage for the following academic year. Current students in year 9, 10 and 12 will be asked to re-register their interest in February of each year and applications received on time will receive priority over year 9 & sixth form applicants. Applicants to the sixth form and year 9 will be asked to register their interest in March with a deadline of the 31^st March each year.

Whilst we try to accommodate all students on these routes, we may need to operate a waiting list should all spaces be taken.

Please check the routes to help you select which pass your child will need.

To check availability for a mid-year application, please contact the transport team using the email address at the top of this page

 

Code of Conduct

Please click below to see our School Transport Code of Conduct for all local authority and out of catchment services.

 

Late Bus Routes

These late services are not “Door to Door”, therefore the stops may not be the most convenient for all pupils.  They are designed to provide a stop in every Village / Location.  Pupils will have to choose the stop that most suits them.

To support our extra-curricular offering, the Academy offers late buses on a Tuesday and Thursday that depart promptly at 16:30. These buses start on week 2 of the academic year.

These late services are not “Door to Door”, therefore the stops may not be the most convenient for all students or match the stops of their usual bus route.  They are designed to provide a stop in the most popular towns & village locations.  Students are responsible for choosing a suitable route and stop.

The late buses are currently free however, the Academy requests voluntary contributions each year to support with the costs of these services.

On some occasions it is necessary for us to cancel these services due to school events such as open evenings or parents’ evenings, any cancellations will be communicated to students via their form tutor.