You’ll find us at:
Suffolk New College – Suffolk Rural
Charity Lane, Otley
Suffolk, IP6 9E
Travel to Suffolk Rural
Dedicated Bus Routes
We have 3 dedicated bus routes to Suffolk Rural
- RC3 – Leiston via Saxmundham operated by Belle Coaches
- RC5 – Sudbury via Hadleigh operated by Konectbus T/A Hedingham & Chambers
- RC8 – Colchester North Station (via Ipswich railway station) operated by Beestons
Complimentary Shuttle Bus
We have 2 complimentary (that’s right – free of charge!) shuttle bus routes running from central Ipswich to Suffolk Rural
- SB1 – Ipswich railway station
- SB2 – Ipswich Old Cattle Market bus station
Travelling by Public Bus
This guide provides essential information on travelling to Suffolk Rural by public bus. It includes details about possible routes along with links to current timetables from providers.
Travelling by Train
This guide provides essential information on travelling to Suffolk Rural by public train. It includes details about academic travel passes and links to service providers.
Driving
The College has a large car park for both learners and staff.
Please use use the postcode IP6 9NE to access this car park.
Links
Before proceeding with any applications or payments, we strongly encourage you to read through the available transport guides to ensure you fully understand your options and requirements.
Once you’re ready, you can find links to application forms and additional information within each guide and below.
Please make sure you have reviewed all relevant details to avoid any issues during the application process.
Transport Application Form
24/25 Travel Application Form
First Bus Travel Pass
24/25 First Bus Travel Pass
RC3, RC5, RC8 Travel Pass
24/25 Dedicated Bus Pass
Train Zone 1 Pass
Zone 1 Pass
Train Zone 2 Pass
Zone 2 Pass
Frequently Asked Questions
You should apply for your college travel pass as soon as possible from this point, using the College’s transport application form to indicate how you wish to travel. You must do this, otherwise you risk being unable to travel to college. Once you have submitted your college transport application form you can then purchase your travel pass through the College online shop using the link in the appropriate travel guide.
Other payment options are available.
The College offers a number of different bursary schemes to learners who meet the eligibility criteria. You must apply online to be considered for a bursary. For more details of the College’s bursary scheme, access www.suffolk.ac.uk/bursary.
If you are making application for the bursary, please note that a travel pass will not be issued until we have fully assessed your bursary application. Therefore, you might wish to think about timings and consider whether you do need to purchase a travel pass in the first instance.
You may be entitled to a refund if you have already paid for a travel pass. Unfortunately, if you have purchased bus or train tickets on a daily basis, we will not be able to refund you for these.
Learners can choose to bring their own vehicles on site. There is plenty of parking available and all car parks are free. Learners must register their vehicle details at the point of enrolment and collect a 24/25 parking permit from reception or the cluster office B30. This must be displayed at all times when on site.
The College reserves the right to withdraw your right to park on campus should this become necessary. The College’s expectations will be explained to you so that you understand when it might be deemed necessary to remove a student’s right to park – either temporarily or permanently.
If you are on low income you can apply for a bursary, if you are approved you might be entitled to help with a travel pass.
**Please note, if you are planning on applying in hope to receive help with a bus pass, then please do this as soon as possible as we are assessing bursaries in date order and there may be a short delay in this process.
Yes, you will receive an email about a month before the end of the term to remind you to pay. This will allow us time to process the pass and have ready for collection. Collections are from Student Support or on occasion we post out before the start of the next term. An email will be sent out when collection is ready. Please make sure your email address on your application form is correct as we will use this information to contact you.
No. You will need to have your College ID with you though just in case you have your pass checked by a ticket collector as the pass number ties up with your College number.
If you have applied for one of the free shuttle bus routes (SB1 or SB2) then this will be printed on your ID badge (provided that you have applied using the Travel Application Form beforehand).
For a bus pass for the dedicated routes (RC3, RC5 & RC8), these will be available to collect at student support at Rural – 2 working days after payment has been received. If you make payment (or receive confirmation that your bursary has been accepted) on a Monday, you can collect if from student support from the Thursday onwards.
For all other travel passes, these will be posted out via 48 hour tracked Royal Mail service.
Apply for your travel pass first of all (using the College’s travel application form) and then purchase your travel pass (no “Evolve” purchase is required for SB1 or SB2 shuttle buses if your journey begins in Ipswich town centre going to Suffolk Rural. Please see the transport guide for other locations.)
You are encouraged to purchase your college travel pass as soon as possible from this point as you cannot be issued with a travel pass without payment first being made. You must have a valid travel pass to travel by train and public bus otherwise you are breaking the law and risk being fined. You must also have a valid travel pass for the College’s bus routes. Travel passes may be purchased through ‘EVOLVE’.
‘EVOLVE’ is the College’s online shop, accessed at www.suffolk.ac.uk/shop. Although we will reimburse you if you are eligible on assessment of your application for support through the bursary, should you leave the College early no refunds can be given as the College purchases the travel passes on your behalf.
For students with special educational needs who may be unable to travel independently, please contact your local County Council for further information about specialist transport arrangements for post-16 education.
Application forms for a travel pass are for routes to Suffolk Rural Only. There are other bus routes available to the other campuses that you pay as you board.
Application information is available within each transport guide.
No, you only need to apply once for the academic year, when you first sign up.
Yes, your ticket can be used in the evenings, at weekends and during the school holidays, but not the summer period as this is outside of the ticket’s validity. You will need to make sure you have your College ID card with you whenever you travel with your pass.
Please refer to the guide that was sent out to you by Greater Anglia along with your physical card. You will need to activate this at the barriers at the station for your card to be active and visible.
As long as you have completed the application form and paid via the online shop links we will aim to process your payment within 2-3 business days and you will receive your pass from Greater Anglia in the post via 48h delivery.
Financial Support
The College offers bursary schemes to enrolled students which offers assistance with kits, travel to College, uniform, college trips and other course materials.
