College Bus Services

Tickets for 2020/21 will be available to purchase via the Parents Portal from mid July. New students however will not receive their Parent Portal log in details until after Enrolment, and hence in the meantime please reserve your space on the College buses by emailing finance@godalming.ac.uk providing the name of the student wishing to travel, and which of the two routes you wish to travel on. Around the time of Enrolment the Finance team will be in touch to process your payment, or direct you to the Parent Portal. To book a place on the Portal, select the service that you require and your pick up point. Payment is required by credit or debit card.

The operators are:

Farnham Bus Service – Safeguard Coaches – 01252 724010 (or out of hours 07803 452989)

Liphook Bus Service -– AMK Chauffeur Drive – 01428 751675 (or out of hours 07764 271465)

Unfortunately not.  Please see our terms and conditions which require you to commit to pay for the bus in advance for the full academic year.  See terms and conditions.

If you change your mind before the end of the first week of teaching (ie when your son/daughter has their timetable for lessons) we will give you a full refund. We will consider refunds after this time in exceptional circumstances only, such as moving house. Please note that we are unable to give refunds if the student passes their driving test and wishes to drive to College.

Yes, we will be happy to discuss an instalment plan with you. Please contact finance@godalming.ac.uk.

Unfortunately not. The Surrey Fare Pass can only be used on public buses and trains. The College bus services are operated by private coach operators and are funded direct by the College. The College provides a subsidy of around 30% towards the costs of operating the services.

We don’t issue a permit, instead the Student i/d card is endorsed with “Bus User”. If you book before enrolment (when i/d cards are normally issued) this will be arranged automatically. If you book at a later date the student will need to call at the IT Helpdesk in the Gill Student Centre to collect a new i/d containing the “Bus User” endorsement. The i/d must be carried at all times when using the bus (and in College), checks of bus users will be made periodically by the drivers and College staff.

The driver is only authorised to pick up and drop off at the published points. These have been agreed between the bus operator and the College taking into account student demand, safety considerations and timings. If you have any specific requests please let us know and we will explore the feasibility with the bus operator. Contact finance@godalming.ac.uk.

The timings have been agreed with the bus operator to ensure that the bus will arrive at College in sufficient time before first lessons commence at 8.45 am. Students must be present at the pick-up point before the published departure time. Unfortunately no leeway can be given. Occasionally the bus may be delayed due to traffic congestion or an emergency situation. The buses carry a tracking device so if there are any concerns about delays in the morning (beyond say 15 minutes) we suggest that you contact the bus operator direct using the contact details above. It’s always a good idea for the student to have this number in their phone contacts. For any delays in the afternoon departure from College one of the College staff will keep students informed.

You can contact the bus operator direct (see telephone numbers above) or the College Finance Department finance@godalming.ac.uk.

This is strictly not possible on any morning journeys (as it might result in another student who has a pass not being able to get on the bus at a later stop). We may be able to consider this for journeys home in the afternoon by prior arrangement with the Finance Office and payment of £5 for a temporary pass. This arrangement will only be possible if there is sufficient capacity on the bus.

This will not normally be possible as it may impact on the capacity of the two buses. The services are also operated by two different operators. If there are exceptional circumstances please let us know and we will consider your request.

Yes, the buses will operate on all teaching days and days when exams are taking place even if this falls on an Inset Day.

If the College is closed due to snow or any other exceptional reason we will put messages out on the College website, Facebook, Twitter, Godalming Online, Eagle Radio and if possible a message on the main switchboard number. The bus operators will also be made aware. We try to make the decision and arrange the necessary messages before 6.45 am.

If College remains open (ie no messages given about closure) but the bus has problems due to the weather conditions the operator may decide that it is unsafe to operate the bus. In this case if the bus fails to arrive within 15 minutes of the departure time or if there are any concerns the student should contact the bus operator by phone to check the position.

No this isn’t necessary. The drivers and operators are aware that students have different timetables and personal  requirements which may mean that they use the bus intermittently.