Public Transport to College
21 or under? Get free bus travel with the National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC). Further details on free bus travel and how to apply can be found on the young.scot website
All students can use the College bus. To access this service you must show your student ID from day one so it is important they enrol at the earliest opportunity. (Note this is the only bus the student ID will work with)
Over 22 and studying a full-time FE Course at Dumfries and Galloway College then we will reimburse your bus travel if you have applied for travel costs on your bursary application. Please retain your bus ticket and Reception at either campus will reimburse your bus fare.
Bus Timetables
Heading to Dumfries or Stranraer Campus? You might need more than one bus.
For Dumfries Campus, hop on the free College Bus or take the D5 to the Crichton Campus.
Bus times can change, so check with the provider before you travel.
Bus Timetables to Dumfries
- Ae Village to Dumfries Houstons 115
- Bankend / Glencaple / Kingholm Quay to Dumfries Houstons 6a
- Carlisle to Annan / Dumfries Stagecoach 79 / 179 / 579
- Castle Douglas to Dumfries McCalls Coaches 503
- College Bus Houstons - You must show your Student ID for this service FREE Travel
- Cumnock / Sanqhuar / Kirkconnel to Dumfries (timetable TBC) McCalls Coaches 246
- Dalbeattie to Dumfries Houstons 372
- Dumfries to Glasgow via Moffat Stagecoach X74
- Edinburgh to Dumfries Houstons 101 / 101a / 102 (Free Travel Valid in D&G Region Only)
- Kirkcudbright to Dumfries (timetable TBC) Stagecoach 501 / 502
- Laurieston / New Galloway to Dumfries McCalls Coaches 521 (Direct to College)
- Lockerbie to Annan Houstons 383
- Lockerbie to Dumfries Houstons 381
- Lockerbie to Gretna / Carlisle Houstons 382
- Moffat to Dumfries via Johnstonebridge Houstons 380
- Penpont / Thornhill to Dumfries DGC Buses 236
- Shawhead to Dumfries Houstons 373
- Stranraer to Dumfries Houstons 500
- Thornhill to Dumfries via Moniaive Brownriggs Coaches 202
- Wanlockhead / Sanquhar / Kirkconnel Brownriggs Coaches 221
Bus Timetables to Stranraer
- Drummore to Stranraer DGC Buses 407
- Girvan (Ayr to Stranraer) Stagecoach 58 / 358 / 360
- Kirkcolm / Leswalt to Stranraer DGC Buses 408
- Machars / Newton Stewart to Stranraer DGC Buses 415 / 416
- Newton Stewart (Dumfries to Stranraer) Houstons 500
- Newton Stewart to Girvan DGC Buses 359
- Newton Stewart Town Service DGC Buses 420
- Stranraer to Portpatrick DGC Buses 367
- Stranraer Town Service (Charlotte Street) DGC Buses 365 / 365a
Dumfries Town Services
Bus times can change, so check with the provider before you travel.
- Locharbriggs Houstons D1-1a
- Georgetown DGC Buses D3
- Lochvale DGC Buses D4
- Larchfield DGC Buses D4-4a
- Crichton Houstons D5
- Georgetown DGC Buses D5a
- Kingholm Quay / Caerlaverock Houstons D6 / D6a
- Troqueer Houstons D7
- Cargenbridge Houstons D8
- Summerhill Houstons D9
- Lochside Houstons D10
- Lincluden Houstons D12
- College Bus Houstons - You must show your Student ID for this service FREE Travel
Free Bus Travel for Under-22s
If you’re 21 or under and live in Scotland, you can travel for free on registered bus services with a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC. It’s perfect for getting to college – or anywhere in Scotland!
⚠️ Check with the bus company if you’re unsure if your bus is included in the scheme. Premium night buses and sightseeing tours aren’t included. If your card was issued before 31 Jan 2022, you’ll need to apply for a new one to get free travel.
How to get your card
- Aged between 5-10
Apply for an NEC card without a photo. Parents or guardians need to apply on their behalf. - Aged between 11-15
Apply for an NEC card or Young Scot NEC card with a photo. Parents or guardians need to apply on their behalf - Aged between 16- 21
Apply for an NEC card or Young Scot NEC card with a photo. You will need to apply yourself
The Young Scot NEC also works as proof of age and gives you access to discounts, rewards, and membership perks.
Using your card
Using your card is simple. All you have to do is tell the bus driver where you are going and then tap on the electronic card reader. Remember to check ahead if you are unsure if you are able to travel for free.
The most important thing about your card is remembering to bring it with you. You will not be offered free bus travel if you do not have it on you.
You can find out more on how to access free travel with your NEC card via the link below.
How to Apply
Both links for applying for National Entitlement Card and Young Scot NEC card can be found at getyournec.scot. If you are applying for a child and their school uses, you can apply here.
Alternatively, if you are having issues applying online, please contact your local council. They will offer support in finding alternative ways to apply.
To find out more about the free bus travel and any questions you may have, please click here.
Helpful Guides
We have created a page with a number of useful links for checking your route before you travel if there is bad weather. Click the button below to find out more.
