Getting Here – Travel: Bus Passes and Parking Information

Local organisations supporting cyclists include:

• Refurbished second hand bikes: www.re-cycle.org
• Help to repair your bike: www.colchesterbikekitchen.org.uk
• Cycle confidence sessions: https://saferessexroads.org/
• Cycle maps, info and support: https://cyclecolchester.co.uk/
• Essex Pedal Power – Greenstead, Colchester: https://www.activeessex.org/essex-pedal-power/essex-pedal-power-colchester/

If you or your family are claiming benefits and you are on a Further Education course we may be able to support your travel costs through our discretionary support funds. Please contact Student Services for further information.

All students can benefit from discounts on First Bus services

First Bus Pass Tickets – 2024-25 prices

Zone 1: Abberton, Alresford, Braiswick, Berechurch, Eight Ash Green, Fingringhoe, Greenstead, Highwoods, Mile End, Old Health, Parsons Health, Rowhedge, Shrub End, Stanway, West Bergholt, Wivenhoe

Zone 2: Ardleigh, Brightlingsea, Coggeshall, Halstead, Great Yeldham, Kelvedon, Maldon, Witham, Tiptree, Layer de La Haye, West Mersea.

Zone 1

Zone 2

All Essex

First Bus m-tickets can be purchased from:

• First Bus website – tickets are available via the First m-ticketing app. (prices may differ to those shown above)

Mobile ticketing is the easiest and most convenient way to buy your ticket 24/7. Purchase your mTicket wherever and whenever you like and activate just before boarding. The m-ticket is only valid for use with an accompanying student ID card issued by Colchester Institute.

• First m-ticketing app – pay by credit card or debit card. You will need your student email address to verify your purchase.
• Student emails are activated once you enrol on your course and follow this format:  First name + first initial of surname + last four digits of student ID number + @colchester.ac.uk
• For example:  Joe Bloggs, student ID 1234567
• Email address: JoeB4567@colchester.ac.uk
• Password: password 1234567.

verification emails can be accessed via this weblink here:

If you experience any problems with your student email account, please contact the IT Helpdesk by calling 01206 712222 or email: ILT Service Desk

First Bus paper tickets can be purchased from:

• Colchester Institute on-line store 

For information on First Bus services, please contact First Bus Customer Services:

0345 646 0707
9am to 5pm Monday – Friday

Arriva – Student Travel

Arriva Student and Child Saver tickets are valid for anyone in full time education and, is a cost effective and flexible way of paying for travel costs. It can be used in the Colchester Zone – click on link for the Arriva map: Colchester Ticket Zone | Arriva Bus

Arriva termly bus passes (student tickets) can be purchased from:

Colchester Institute on-line store

Collect your travel voucher from Student Services and exchange it for a ticket on the bus. Please note there is a £15 replacement fee.

Arriva annual bus passes (student tickets)

• Arriva website:  Herts and Essex Ticket Zones | Arriva Bus

You can spread the cost of an annual ticket if you pay by a monthly direct debit.  Please visit the Arriva website for full details:

www.arrivabus.co.uk/monthlytickets

Hedingham – Students 19 and under can receive a Young Person deal directly through Hedingham.

Colchester Park and Ride – Located off the A12 at junction 28, buses leave every 15 minutes offering a fast journey of approximately 12 minutes to Middleborough bus stop.

For more information and ticket prices – Colchester Park and Ride

For more information on Essex Public Transport routes and timetables please click here.

DigiGo is a shared public transport service which offers on-demand or pre-bookable travel in parts of Essex. There is no fixed route or timetable, which puts you in control of your journey. DigiGo operates 7 days a week, from 6am to 10pm on weekdays and from 7am to 10pm on weekends.

For more information and ticket prices, please click the link: DigiGo

For more information on Travel Essex please click the link: Travel Essex.

Giving friends and classmates a lift to campus is a great way to reduce the costs of travelling as you can share petrol and parking costs.

There are specific parking spaces for car sharers at Colchester campus and you can apply for a car share permit at the Facilities Help Desk in Q House. If you can’t find someone to car share with you can use Essex Car Share to find or offer a lift.

Apply now for help with your course related costs. For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available. Bursary awards can help with your course related costs such as travel, childcare, books and equipment and much more.

Click here to visit our bursary application section to find out more:

Bursary Applications