North Devon students missing college over "expensive and unreliable" transport

A new campaign group has warned that young people in North Devon are being left behind by an "expensive and unreliable" transport system that is forcing some students to miss more than 15 days of college a year.

The group, Routes to Post-16 Opportunities Devon, claims that a lack of adequate bus and rail provision is exacerbating rural inequalities and leaving families to foot bills reaching nearly £1,000 a year.

Recent data from the group has highlighted a significant "transport gap" between Devon’s rural towns and its educational hubs, leading to accusations that the local authority is failing in its statutory duties.

The Tarka Line, which connects North Devon to Exeter, is a vital artery for the 690 students who travel from the Barnstaple area to Exeter College daily.

However, campaigners say the service has become a source of "constant disruption."

According to a study conducted by the campaign group, 36 per cent of students surveyed have missed more than 15 days of in-person teaching since September due to cancellations, 21 per cent have missed between 10 and 15 days and 22 per cent have missed between 5 and 10 days.

When the line was recently closed for engineering works due to recent adverse weather, the situation reportedly descended into "chaos."

Parents reported that replacement bus services were slow to be established, and once operational, were often full by the time they reached intermediate stops like Eggesford and Kings Nympton.

"There was no information about when the buses would arrive and no information as to where to wait for them. This led to many students missing days of education," a spokesperson for Routes to Post-16 Opportunities Devon said.

For families in areas like Torridge, the financial burden is proving as significant as the logistical one.

The campaign was founded after a local parent discovered a startling disparity in travel costs.

While a train pass with a college discount costs approximately £743, the equivalent bus fare for those without rail access can soar to £960, the group has found. 

"I was shocked by the fact there was no route-specific fares for students using the buses and how much more these were than the train passes," the campaigner stated.

The group has now met with Devon County Council (DCC) to challenge the current Post-16 Transport Policy.

They argue the council is not meeting its statutory duties because it has failed to undertake a comprehensive study of the needs of the 16-18 population.

Under government guidance, local authorities are expected to consider:

• The impact of costs on low-income families.
• The journey times and complexity of routes.
• The specific needs of students in remote rural areas.

"The council hasn't looked at the actual routes taken or the disruption being caused," the group claimed.

"We have presented them with our own evidence showing the real-world impact on students' lives, and we are calling for an immediate review of how these young people are supported."

*Costs based on college-discounted rates reported by Routes to Post-16 Opportunities Devon.

The situation has sparked a wider conversation about "rural proofing" education. Without reliable transport, there are fears that young people in North and West Devon will be restricted in their choice of courses, or forced to drop out of education entirely.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach South West said the company was "committed to providing reliable, affordable transport across its rural network," adding: "Delivering services over such a widespread geography presents unique challenges, and the fares reflect the true cost of running these routes, while the £3 single fare cap continues to offer excellent value for regular travellers."

The spokesperson added that despite "extreme winter weather and operational hurdles," the company had successfully run more than 98 per cent of scheduled services. 

"While Stagecoach regrets any isolated disruptions, factors such as congestion, road closures, and diversions are often beyond our control," they said.

Regarding rail replacement services, Stagecoach noted these are operated by multiple providers under the train companies’ coordination, and that any concerns should be raised directly with the railway operators.

Devon County Council has been approached for comment, but did not respond.