STUDENTS with school or college bus passes will soon be able to go 'anywhere, anytime' as their tickets are upgraded. About 8,000 students aged 16-19 pay for annual passes called the County Ticket, allowing them limited travel to and from their school or

STUDENTS with school or college bus passes will soon be able to go 'anywhere, anytime' as their tickets are upgraded.About 8,000 students aged 16-19 pay for annual passes called the County Ticket, allowing them limited travel to and from their school or college.But the tickets can only be used twice a day, within term time only and not at weekends, in the evenings or between different transport operators.This week Somerset County Council decided to upgrade the tickets from this September so students of all ages can go anywhere within the county at any time. To be eligible students must be in full time education or work based learning.It is also scrapping a rule restricting the passes to those living more than five miles from their nearest course they want to take.The authority wants to remove barriers so students can take their chosen subject anywhere in the county.Students will still have to make a £360 contribution towards the County Ticket.Those aged under 16 are already eligible for half price public transport but could find the upgraded County Ticket a better buy.Some schools and colleges have warned that upgrading the tickets could harm them.In a report to members, council officers said: "This policy could have detrimental effects on post 16 institutions with sixth forms, making them potentially unviable. "If this occurs we could have several schools facing serious budget difficulties leading to major redundancies from their teaching staff.