Getting to Us
OUR LOCATION
Situated in the heart of Southampton, our address is Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Hill Lane, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 5RL.
Our extensive network of bus routes, combined with our close location to Southampton train station and local cycle and walking routes, make the college extremely accessible.
Getting you to college, and home again, safely and reliably is important to us.
For a detailed route planner from your home address using public transport links (including bus and train times) please use Traveline or MyJourney Southampton.
Bus Routes and costs
There is an extensive network of bus routes covering the wide area surrounding Richard Taunton.
For September 2025, the college has collaborated with Bluestar bus to ensure you have more flexibility getting to and from college.
Bluestar is our college bus provider. We have two routes – 505 and 509 – and the timetables are shown below in the table.
Students who use these services can access the rest of the Bluestar network during term times. This means if you start later or finish earlier than the 505 and 509 departure times you can arrive at or leave college at a more appropriate time. The 19s Bluestar service stops and departs just outside college. It is ideal as a connecting service for many students.
How much is my bus pass for services 505 and 509 for the academic year starting in September 2025?
The bus pass for return travel to college will be £675, payable in two instalments of £375 in September 2025 and £300 at the beginning of January 2026.
How do I buy my bus pass?
In order to buy a bus pass, you will need an account for our online payment software Wisepay.
All students will be set up with a Wisepay account, which can be used for paying for a variety of things including trips, music lessons and printing. You will be emailed details of your account, using the email address that you gave us when you applied.
If you have not received the email yet, or are having problems accessing it, please email finance@lighthouselearningtrust.ac.uk and we can help.
Once you have accessed your Wisepay account, navigate to the ‘shop’ section, select the bus pass needed, select purchase and make payment.
Please see below for detailed bus information based on your location. If you are viewing this table on a mobile device, please use landscape mode, to see all columns.
| Operator | Bus Route or Zone | Area Covered | Timetable | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluestar - College bus | 505 | Bevios Valley, St Mary’s, Red Funnel Ferry Terminal, Millbrook, Redbridge, Shirley Warren, Coxford and Richard Taunton. | Please press here for the 505 bus route and timetable. Please note this timetable will change on 3 November 2025 so do check this timetable before you get the bus. | The bus pass for return travel to college will be £675, payable in two instalments of £375 in September and £300 at the beginning of January. |
| Bluestar - College bus | 509 | Bitterne Manor, Bitterne, Midanbury, Bitterne Park, Portswood, Bassett and Richard Taunton. | Please press here for the 509 bus route and timetable. Please note this timetable will change on 3 November 2025 so do check this timetable before you get the bus. | The bus pass for return travel to college will be £675, payable in two instalments of £375 in September and £300 at the beginning of January. |
| Bluestar (public service route) | 19a | Thornhill, Sholing, Woolston, Ocean Village, City Centre, Central Station, Shirley, Maybush Corner, General Hospital and Richard Taunton Sixth Form College | 19a Bluestar timetable. | You can use this service for free with a college bus pass. |
| Richard Taunton | Totton minibus | Totton and Calmore | The bus will stop at the following places: 7.45 Salisbury Road 7.50 Blackwater Drive 8.00 Hanger Farm 8.05 Larchwood Road 8.10 Spicers Hill/Rushington Roundabout 8.20 Totton College **Whilst we won't purposefully stop on Water Lane (other than at the college) we will endeavour to stop if the minibus is flagged down at the bus stop** 8.25 Totton Precinct Route map. | There is no charge for this college run minibus. |
| Unilink (public service route) | U9 | Southampton General Hospital, Shirley Townhill Park, Bitterne, Portswood, Highfield Campus, Burgess Road and Hill Lane | Timetables webpage for Unilink bus services. | Fares and tickets webpage for Unilink bus services. |
| Unilink (public service route) | U6 | Southampton General Hospital, Shirley, Winchester Road (for college) Highfield, Portswood, Bevois Valley, Royal South Hants Hospital, City Centre and Dock Gate 4 | Timetables webpage for Unilink bus services. | Fares and tickets webpage for Unilink bus services. |
Train services
Southampton Central is the nearest train station to college, with direct routes from Totton, Eastleigh, Romsey and Winchester. For more information about getting to college by train, use Traveline’s Journey Planner. From the train station, students can catch the 19a Bluestar bus service to college. Alternatively, the college is a 30 minute walk from the station.
Walking to college
Richard Taunton is easily accessible by walking. We are a 10-15 minute walk from Southampton Common and Shirley High Street, and a 30 minute walk from Southampton Central train station. We encourage students to keep active and help the environment by walking to college.
cycling to college
Cycling is a popular form of transport to and from college. We have a secure bike compound to store bikes, plus showers and changing facilities located in the Sports department.
Electric scooters
It is illegal to use privately owned e-scooters in public spaces. As such, there are no facilities for storing e-scooters on the college grounds and we request that students refrain from bringing them to college.
driving to college
We are easily accessible by car, via local routes and nearby motorway links at the Chilworth interchange M27 (J4)/ M3 (J14). We have 161 parking spaces available to students for the duration of their time at college. Whilst the college is conveniently located for parking, we must be respectful to our neighbours and encourage parking within the college to reduce street congestion.