Transport
Getting to Winstanley College couldn’t be easier, and to help you understand the process we have produced our transport page to provide you with all the information you need to arrive via bus, train, car, and bicycle
This is our transport guide effective from September 2023. This guide gives information about our private college bus routes. It does contain a snapshot guide of the TfGM routes at the end, but please remember to check the TfGM website for accurate real-time information.
Please note, the deadline for returning direct debit forms for bus payments is 14th September 23.
If you do not see a service that runs near to where you live, there may be a Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) service that does cover your area.
Please use this link to find out more about the TfGM services
Transport for Greater Manchester bus routes
Please note: Sometimes there can be changes to the routes and departure times especially on the TfGM routes, please double check our transport guide and the TfGM website regularly and certainly before your first day of term.
If you think you are eligible for a Greater Manchester Our Pass and haven’t already applied, you should do so now.
If you have any other questions about transport to college, please contact us via the form below.
Travelling by Public Bus to Winstanley College
Greater Manchester Residents
If you’re a resident of Greater Manchester, you’ve probably heard about the ‘Our Pass’ which is an initiative launched by Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, and The Youth Combined Authority (YCA). It provides FREE travel for 16-18 year olds across Greater Manchester, as well as access to other opportunities such as tickets for sports and leisure attractions and careers and taster days.
This means that residents of Greater Manchester can travel to Winstanley College for free when using a Greater Manchester bus service.
Transport for Greater Manchester
Transport for residents just outside of Greater Manchester who wish to travel on Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) buses
This mainly applies to residents from areas of Garswood, parts of Billinge and Appley Bridge which lie just outside of the GM area (if you pay your rates to either St Helens or Lancashire councils this will apply to you). Unfortunately, you will not be eligible for ‘Our Pass’ and should consider purchasing a System One Young Persons’ Saver.
Travelling by Private Bus to Winstanley College
The cost of the annual bus permit for 2023-2024 is £499.00. The cost of a private bus permit is a yearly academic fee, therefore it is not calculated on the number of days or months a student attends College. This can be paid in full on Parent Pay, or by Direct Debit. 1st DD Payment - £99.00 no later than 29th September followed by 5 monthly instalments of £80.00 from Oct – Feb 2024.
Once you have completed the Microsoft form that is sent to you as part of the enrolment process, our finance team will be in touch to arrange the payments.
Once the first monthly payment is received, the College will make the student's private bus permit and e-mail the student's college e-mail when it is ready for collection. Students must show this to the driver at all times. We do have a few weeks at the beginning of term whilst students get familiar with buses that we call ‘the settling down’ period when students may forget their permit, however, spot inspections will take place after one week of term starting and students must show their bus permit at all times to the driver.
If you are applying for a bursary, the Finance team will notify transport if your application was successful so we can make the bus permit for you. Please make sure you provide any bursary evidence as soon as possible.
*Please note the cost of private transport is reviewed in March after the close of application and tender for contracts. Whilst the College will subsidise transport to make it as affordable as possible the cost for 2024-25 may increase.
If you have any questions regarding public or private buses during the application process please contact transport@winstanley.ac.uk
Traveling by Train to Winstanley College
The College is fortunate to have Orrell train station 12 minutes walk away. This makes the college accessible to those students from Kirkby to Manchester who may travel the furthest distance. For discounted rail travel apply for the 16-25 railcard
Go to https://www.thetrainline.com/ to find out if there is a train from your local train station to Orrell train station
National Rail – New for all 16-17 year olds – 50% off Rail Fares for a one-off payment of £30.
For more information go to:
Travelling by Car to Winstanley College
To get directions to the College please see the Contact Us page. Here you can enter your postcode into Google Maps and find the easiest route to college.
Parking
There is limited parking on the college site so we cannot guarantee all students a safe place to leave their cars during the day. For this reason, first year students are not permitted to park on the College site. We are currently only able to issue parking permits to second year students at a cost of £10. Parents are asked to avoid picking students up and dropping them off at peak times and not to wait in the drop-off area. We also ask that students don’t park their car along Winstanley Road as this may be of detriment to local residents.
Travelling by Motorcycle to Winstanley College
There are designated motorcycle and moped parking spaces at the top of the car park near the sports hall. For directions to College see Contact Us.
Travelling by Bicycle to Winstanley College
You are encouraged to cycle to College and cycle racks are available against the sports hall wall. For directions to College see Contact Us.
Walking to Winstanley College
Some students are fortunate enough to live within proximity to the college. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
Transport Bursary
If students are eligible for the bursary fund and also have a need to purchase an annual private transport permit, then you will qualify for the full cost of the yearly permit which will be organised by Student Services. If you don’t require a private permit then a weekly allowance will be made via BACS.
These payments will be dependent on good attendance, satisfactory academic progress and it is subject to the number of applications received and the funds being available.
You can apply at any time throughout the year depending on your circumstances.
16-19 BURSARY FUND
The 16–19 Bursary Fund is for young people from low-income households who are experiencing genuine financial hardship while they are at college. The Bursary can contribute towards the cost of the bus pass and essential course equipment.
Further enquiries regarding bursaries can be made by contacting:
For information on any other transport queries, please contact:
