MORE than 400 local students have signed up for cheaper rail travel with National Express train operator c2c in the past fortnight.
All full-time students studying at Further Education colleges that join the scheme are eligible for a c2c Student Smartcard. This saves them one-third off the normal price of their tickets, including season tickets and peak-time travel.
So far ten local Further Education schools and colleges have registered with c2c to participate in the scheme:
South Essex College – Campuses at Basildon, Grays and Southend
Barking Abbey School, Barking
ELUTEC University Technical College, Dagenham
Ormiston Park Academy, South Ockendon
Palmer’s College, Grays
PROCAT, Basildon
St Bernard’s High School, Westcliff-on-Sea
St Thomas More High School, Westcliff-on-Sea
SEEVIC College, Benfleet
Southend Adult Community College – Campuses at Southend, Leigh-on-Sea and Westcliff-on-Sea
c2c Managing Director Julian Drury said: “Students are now staying in education for longer, but normally they have to buy a special railcard to get discounted travel. We want to reward students who are continuing their education, so we’ve teamed up with key local colleges to make it easier for their students to benefit from discounted fares.”
Angela O’Donoghue, Principal and Chief Executive of South Essex College, said: “The cost of travel is the biggest barrier to students attending South Essex College. The discount offered by c2c is a wonderful boost for young people and parents across the Thames Gateway. Supported by other College bursaries, this discount enables students to enrol on the course they want, regardless of the distance from their home. It means they can realise their potential and achieve their career goals. I am grateful to c2c for their support.”
Students and other local colleges can find out more about the scheme at www.c2c-online.co.uk/tickets-and-fares/c2c-smartcard/smart-student/.
