Transport and Travel Training

PREPARATION FOR JOURNEY

• Advise young person to inform parents/carer of journey route, departure and arrival time, bus, train time/number.
• Ensure mobile phone is charged and has credit.
• Walking routes and public transport journeys can be planned for free using Google Maps.
• Take Bus Pass or Tickets for journey and keep in safe location – possibly a wallet or bag.
• Always have spare money to pay for journey just in case you lose your bus/train pass or it becomes damaged/invalid.
• Ensure that young person has enough money to pay for their journey, it is preferable that they have the correct amount, but this is not essential as change can be given.
• Wear suitable clothing for weather conditions.  Advisable to check weather forecast before starting journey.

ROUTE PLANNING:

Always plan your route ahead of your journey.  This could include:

• What time you will be leaving and what time you will return home.
• Where you are travelling from and where you are travelling to.
• How you will travel.
• How long it will take.
• What bus stop you will be travelling from, times of buses or trains.
• Practice the journey with someone before you travel alone to familiarise yourself with the route.

FAQ’s:

• What if the bus breaks down:  The driver will advise you what to do.  Wait on the bus until given instructions.
• What if I get on the wrong bus:  Ask the driver for advice before getting off the bus.
• What if I miss my bus:  Usually buses run regularly, check the timetable for the next bus - let someone know you have missed your bus.

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ON LOCAL TRANSPORT NETWORKS/DOWNLOADING APPS:

When planning a bus or train journey, many have route planners that are easy to use. See below services:

• When planning a bus journey - visit Bus Travel in the North East | Bus Routes & Tickets | Arriva Bus  Arriva Bus App are available to download from the App Store or Play Store and are straight forward.
• There is a new Stagecoach service in some areas click link to access website information Live Bus Times & Timetables | Stagecoach or use the Stagecoach Bus App on App store or Play store.
• When planning a train journey - check Trainline Trainline : Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets or the Trainline App is available to download from the App Store or Play Store
• Bus & Train timetables are also available on the App.
• There is a route planner on this App which allows you to plan your journey with Arriva Buses/Trains
• This is a free App but charges are incurred when purchasing a ticket.
• Tickets for travel on Arriva Buses & trains can be purchased on the App and displayed to the driver your phone.
• Advisable to screenshot ticket just in case mobile data/wifi isn’t available.
• College Bus – Some colleges provide a free college bus from most localities within the borough.
• Some colleges use the Arriva Bus but these have the college number on – for example:  Middlesbrough College Buses are currently Arriva Buses and their Numbers start MC.
• Information regarding these buses/timetables are available from each individual college’s website or Student Services.

STRANGER DANGER:

Do not give personal information out to strangers – do not tell a stranger your name, where you live or your telephone number. 

SAFE STRANGERS:

If you do need help there are Safe Strangers – these could include Bus Drivers, Train Conductors, Police Officers, Traffic Wardens, Shop Assistants, Security Officers, Lollipop Person.

SAFE PLACES:

There are Safe Places where you can go to ask for help – these include, local stores, supermarkets, police station, bus station, train station, petrol stations. Click link for further information Safe Place Scheme | Teeswide Safeguarding Adults Board 

There is also a national site with an App and Resources - click this link to access Safe Places - Keep Safe with Safe Places

OTHER USEFUL LINKS:

Arriva support for disabled passengers: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/help/customers-with-disabilities

Book assistance for passenger with disabilities travelling by train: Technology To Simplify Assisted Travel | PassengerAssistance.com 

Disabled person’s railcard: Disabled Persons Railcard | Official Retailer | National Rail

The sunflower scheme for people with hidden disabilities Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Redcar & Cleveland Independent Travel Training - for more details and information on support from our travel trainers Louise & Helen, please contact: charlotte.ellis@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk      Tel: 01642 304503.

For those young people moving onto college – check out their websites for information on college buses, timetables, student passes etc.

Prior Pursglove College – website: www.pursglove.ac.uk

Redcar & Cleveland College – website: www.cleveland.ac.uk

Middlesbrough College – website: www.mbro.ac.uk

Askham Bryan College – website: www.askham-bryan.ac.uk