- We reserve the right to amend timetables or fares at any time during the academic year
- Changes to public services are at the discretion of the bus operator.
Getting to Us
Richard Taunton Sixth Form College
Hill Lane, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 5RL
Situated in the heart of Southampton, 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. That’s why from September 2024 we will be offering three new bus routes for students attending Richard Taunton. Take a look below to find out details!
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
There is an extensive network of bus routes covering the wide area surrounding Richard Taunton.
Bus pass cost for RTSFC 504/505: The bus pass for return travel to college will be £580, payable in two instalments of £290. If you purchase your pass before the 5 September 2024 – there will be £20 discount on the cost of your pass.
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, a link to which can be found here
Who do I contact if I have issues with the Xelabus service?
Please contact admin@xelabus.co.uk, visit the Xelabus website or call the bus company on 02380 644 715.
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 and school.
| Operator | Bus Route or Zone | Area Covered | Timetable & Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Taunton | Temporary - Train station - RTSFC Shuttle bus | Southampton Train Station to Richard Taunton Sixth Form College | This shuttle bus service is an interim arrangement that we have put in place before the new public bus service which covers Hill Lane starts later in the autumn term. The service will pick up at 8.35am from the train station bus stop on Wyndham Place Unfortunately, we cannot provide a return journey at the end of the day while we provide this temporary cover. If this will cause a problem for you, please contact our student admin team on: studentadmin@richardtaunton.ac.uk and they can help you with a solution. We will notify students when the new public Hill Lane bus is due to start. |
| Xelabus - RTSFC Bus | 504 | Bitterne Manor, Merryoak, Woolston, Sholing, Thornhill, Bitterne, Midanbury, Bitterne Park, Portswood, Bassett and Richard Taunton. | 504 Bus route and timetable Cost: The bus pass for return travel to college will be £580, payable in two instalments of £290. If you purchase your pass before the 5 September 2024 - there will be £20 discount on the cost of your pass. |
| Xelabus - RTSFC Bus | 505 | Bevios Valley, St Mary’s, Red Funnel Ferry Terminal, Millbrook, Redbridge, Shirley Warren, Coxford and Richard Taunton. | 505 Bus route and timetable Cost: The bus pass for return travel to college will be £580, payable in two instalments of £290. If you purchase your pass before the 5 September 2024 - there will be £20 discount on the cost of your 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 | Click here for the timetable. Ticket information available here. |
| 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 | Click here for the timetable. Ticket information available here. |
| Xelabus (public service route) | X11 | Lordshill and Shirley | Click here for the timetable. Standard fares must be purchased on the bus. Contact Xelabus offices in Eastleigh for more information. |
Train
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 free shuttle bus service to college. Alternatively, the college is a 30 minute walk from the station.
Walk
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.
Bikes and Electric Scooters
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.
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.
Car
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.
Travelling from the Isle of Wight
We offer a free shuttle service for students catching the ferry from the Isle of Wight. We are also able to help with travel costs for students coming from the Isle of Wight. Please call Student Services on 02380 514720 for more information. For further information on travelling from the Isle of Wight visit the Red Funnel website.
There are three terms per academic year and our prices are very competitive. You may be entitled to help with travel costs depending on your financial circumstances. If you have any queries about travelling to college, please call our travel experts in Students Services on 02380 514720. Please note: