COLEG Cambria is scrapping free transport for students amid "rising costs and budget constraints".

The college, which has campuses in Deeside, Northop, Wrexham and Denbighshire, provides daily transportation for around 4,000 of its students.

Students who live more than three miles away from the college are currently given free transport, but this is changing next September.

From September 2025, Coleg Cambria will provide subsidised transport for students living more than three miles from their chosen campus.

A spokesperson said: "To no longer offer free transport was a difficult decision but due to rising costs and budget constraints – including a lack of dedicated funding for post-16 learners via the Welsh Government and the local authorities of Flintshire and Wrexham - the decision was unavoidable.

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"The college has provided free transport to more than 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. 

"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 subsidised charge will be £90 per term for students aged 16-18 and £160 per term for students aged 19 and over. 

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the financial challenges local authorities are facing across Wales. Although there is no statutory duty for local authorities to provide free transport to post-16 learners in mainstream further education or training, there are a range of schemes offering discounted and free travel for children and young people on public transport in Wales.

"We keep these under regular review.”