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Travel: Training and a bookable bus
Published
Two travel topics covered in this newsletter:
a) Travelling around the county can be tricky if you live in a rural area with infrequent or no regular bus service - more details of the bookable Robin bus follow.
b) If you know a young person with SEND, who may benefit from independent travel training - please read on.
Bookable bus serving rural communities
The Robin is a friendly, bookable bus service that improves connections between rural areas in Gloucestershire which often have infrequent or no fixed bus services. It can be used by anyone, wherever you live, but only operates in five rural areas of the county, listed below. It is designed to provide services that link up with fixed bus services, and at times when other public transport does not operate. It can help you get to school, college, work, the shops, or to access healthcare services. If you live in one of the areas below, it could be a great way to get out and about in the summer holidays
The service operates in five areas:
- Forest of Dean (south)
- Cotswolds (north)
- Cotswolds (south)
- Tewkesbury district
- Berkeley Vale
The Robin is a pilot which is planned to continue in these areas until at least spring 2026. The Robin team at the council are monitoring use and welcome feedback which will help to plan for the long term future of the service.
There is no timetable for the Robin. It can be booked at a time and place to suit you. The Robin has space for a wheelchair and can usually accommodate push chairs. Dogs are allowed at the discretion of the driver.
It is easy to book the Robin – by phone, or by using the app or website. See below for the details. You will have to pay a fare, but concessions are accepted as with fixed buses. Adult fares are £3 single, and children (5-15) cost £2.50. Under 5s travel free.
The Robin service operates from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday (including Bank Holidays, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).
How to book the Robin?
📞 Book over the phone - call The Robin call centre on 0345 2638139 - pay the driver (cash or contactless). 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday.
💻 Book via the website - pay via the website or choose to pay the driver
📲 Book via the phone app (Apple or Android) - pay via the app or choose to pay the driver
Independent Travel Training Service
Students with special educational needs can struggle to travel independently - and overcoming this can seem like a mountain to climb. Simple journeys to see friends, go to school or college or commuting to a job can seem daunting. Encouraging young people to take those first steps to being confident enough to catch a bus, hand over money and navigate their own way to and from bus stops can cause anxiety, stress and concern - for students, parents and carers alike.
Gloucestershire County Council is working closely with students and their families on a one-to-one basis to fully support them to gain the skills and confidence needed to travel independently.
Who is this service available for?
Anyone in Gloucestershire who has an Education, Health & Care Plan, is in full-time education and is attending the nearest school or college that can meet their educational needs is eligible for the scheme. Eligible students also need to live more than three miles away from the school or college.
How does the service work?
The Independent Travel Training team has qualified trainers to help young people to travel independently. The support offered to young people helps them to understand the risks of independent travel and introduces them to appropriate coping strategies to help them manage their journeys.
Travel training will usually start with a home or school visit followed by an initial assessment to make sure the training is suitable for the young person.
Training will be on a one-to-one basis with the trainer accompanying the student for their entire journey, often travelling with them to the bus stop, sitting with them on the bus and then taking them to their destination. As the student becomes more confident, our trainer will start reducing the amount of journey time with them - helping the student to be independent and travel safely.
Parents and carers have found they are able to step back a little for the first time in years. An added bonus is that more social opportunities are now open to trainees and being able to travel independently can lead to work possibilities.
Referrals can be made by parents, or by schools, social workers and other practitioners or lead professionals working with children and young people with learning difficulties or disabilities.
For more information, visit the directory on the SEND Local Offer website