Coleg Cambria removes free post-16 transport amid ”rising costs and budget constraints”

Coleg Cambria is no longer offering free transport to post-16 students from September 2025 due to “rising costs and budget constraints”.

The institution has confirmed that it will instead provide subsidised transport for those living more than three miles from their chosen campus.

Coleg Cambria had provided free transport to over 4,000 learners from across the region – and over the border – every weekday for many years, through a combination of contracted buses and public transport.

However the “difficult decision” was made due to rising costs and a “lack of dedicated funding for post-16 learners via the Welsh Government and the local authorities of Flintshire and Wrexham”.

A spokesperson for the college said that “the decision was unavoidable.”

The spokesperson added: “We will continue to ensure learners are informed about the availability of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and Welsh Government Learning Grant FE to assist with travel and other daily expenses.

“The new changes have been communicated to current students, to share with their parents and carers, as well as relevant authorities.”