Transport

SMB College Group attracts students from across Leicestershire and further afield, so we understand that you may want to know how you can get to and from college. 

Below we've put together all the information you need to help you understand how to travel to college as easily as possible, making it even easier to access the course of your choice.

SMB College Group is accessible from all parts of Leicestershire and surrounding counties. All our wonderful campuses benefit from great travel links, helping you make it to college safely and on time. 

Download our latest Travel guide by clicking here.

We have a large range of college buses which pick up from across the county! Check out our Transport Map below find a college bus stop near you!

 For how to find us, check out our campuses page.

 

• Plan your personal journey
• Student Saver Bus Passes
• 16-25 Railcard

• Walking

  All our campuses are easily accessible from the local surrounding areas if you want to walk to college, plus it's good for the environment and keeps you fit.

• Dedicated Buses

  SMB College Group offers several dedicated college buses that are available to all our students including our Higher Education students. You will need to apply for your Travel Pass for each year that you are a student with us.

  View our dedicated routes using the interactive map on this page, or download our Student Travel Guide by clicking here.

  Transport Applications for 2025/26 will be open towards the end of January.  Any enquiries should be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Public Service Buses

  In addition to the dedicated bus routes, you will find an excellent network of public bus services to all campuses, and you can benefit from the Student Saver Pass

  

  Bus routes

  • Leicester to Brooksby and Melton Mowbray – Arriva 5A Service (Leicester Zone 2) 
  • Melton to Brooksby – Arriva 5A Service (Leicester Zone 2) 
  • Oadby to Leicester (to connect to 5A to Melton)
  • Wigston to Leicester (to connect to 5A to Melton)
  • To view Arriva Bus routes to Stephenson Campus, see Pg. 3 of the SMB Student Transport flyer. 

  Click here to plan your route with Arriva.

   

  

  Bus routes

  • 23/Bottesford (via The Vale) to Melton Mowbray – Centrebus Service 25
  • Grantham to Melton and Brooksby – Centrebus Service 8
  • Loughborough to Melton Mowbray – Centrebus Service 8
  • Link from Melton to Brooksby – Centrebus Service 8

  If you purchase a Centrebus College Pass directly from SMB, your connection from Melton to Brooksby will be included using the Service 8 or Service 29 routes.  If you have any questions, please contact the Transport Team directly.

  Click here for Centrebus services.

• Local Authority Buses

  SMB College Group may be able to provide a subsidised travel option for Rutland students. We recommend that you contact SMB Transport Services before you apply for your travel pass from Rutland County Council to ensure that you are aware of all available options and associated costs. Please contact SMB Transport for more information.

  If you live in Rutland and pay your council tax to Rutland County Council you may qualify for assisted transport to SMB, providing our course (qualification gained) is the nearest available to where you live. 

• Cycle

  Cycle facilities are provided at all campuses, including cycle parking, lockers, and changing facilities. 

  Tips for safe cycling:

  • Be bright – make sure drivers can see you. Wear brightly coloured clothing and use lights when cycling at night.
  • Give warning – ride predictably and indicate to motorists before changing direction or turning
  • Wear protection – cycle helmets are recommended for safe cycling
  • Maintain your bike – look after your bike and make sure it is safe to cycle

• Train

  Melton Mowbray has its own train station within walking distance of our Melton Campus – providing direct links to many major cities and routes. 

  You will find a range of options that will enable you to purchase tickets on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. 

  With connections from Hinckley, Oakham, Peterborough, Sheffield, Stamford, Birmingham, and London, you are well connected to the rest of the country. The Stansted Airport to Birmingham New Street rail link runs through Melton Mowbray, linking the cities of Birmingham, Leicester, and Cambridge! 

  If you would prefer to travel to college by train you can purchase a 16–25 year-old railcard. Costing just £30 per year, the 16-25 railcard saves you 1/3 off rail fares**. You can also apply for a 16-25 railcard if you are aged 26 or over and in full-time study for 15+ hours per week for 20+ weeks per year. 

  **Schedule restrictions may apply

  For more information on the 16-25 Railcard, click here

  You can find links to The Trainline and National Rail at the bottom of this page.

• Drive

  Our Brooksby and Stephenson Campuses benefit from free parking and our Melton Campus has nearby parking. 

  Do not delay in contacting Student Services for a Parking Permit Application Form (staff should contact HR). The spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Order yours today! 

  Blue Badge parking is also available at all campuses. Please reserve yours today with Student Services. 

  Whilst we do not offer free parking to students at our Melton Campus, you are able to use the public car park on Wilton Road (adjacent to the Melton campus) and a number of others available in the area. 

  Please visit the Melton Borough Council website

  Alternatively, you can use a local taxi service and some even offer a student discount, so don’t forget to ask for 10% on production of your student ID card. 

• Wheels to work

  The Wheels to Work scheme offers the chance to hire electric bikes, pedal bikes, and electric mopeds at a small cost for up to six months. If you have secured a placement in work, education, or training and are over the age of 16, you could be eligible to hire a vehicle. Bikes and mopeds are located at the city council’s Town Hall Bike Park.

  • FREE CBT Motorcycle training
  • FREE protective clothing
  • FREE vehicle insurance and servicing

  For further information visit the wheels to work webpage

• Car sharing

  Is your car as cheap to run as you think? It is often very easy to overlook the real cost of running of a car. As well as the cost of fuel, there are all the hidden extras such as car tax, car insurance, MOT test, breakdown cover, servicing parts, and repairs. You may never have considered car sharing, however, you could halve your fuel costs, reduce stress and CO2, and make new friends.

  The ideal car sharer could be sat in the next office or classroom and you have no idea! We are currently considering an initiative to promote car-sharing within the college. You never know...it could be you!

• Student Shuttle Service

  An internal shuttle service is offered at our Brooksby campus to ensure that you are able to get around the site and get to your lectures on time. Our vehicles and drivers are also available to provide transport for field trips and other off-site activities to enhance your overall experience as #OneoftheFamily.

Get in touch

To discuss these routes further, please contact Transport Services directly on 01664 855 211 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are here to help find the best travel solution for you.