Rail card Zonecard Glasgow HELP!

Hi

so,

i live in lanark and i am planning to go to glasgow uni 2010 (travelling from home )

and wondering how to tell which "zone" im in for the Zonecard?

i would take the train to glasgow central (then subway) or take it to partick and walk.

also, how do i know if im eligible for travel expenses from SAAS? and do i apply for it before i buy the card or after the years over or half way through ??


and also, whats cheaper in the sense ill be using it through schools season, a yearly one? or renewing a 10 week one every 10 weeks?



thanks for the help guys!

You can get the map here. From a quick glance it looks like you'll need eight zones from Lanark to Glasgow. Technically getting a train to Partick would add another zone, whereas getting the Subway would have no extra cost.

If you want to get the train to Partick and walk it might be cheaper to ask in a station about the price of a season ticket, rather than a Zonecard.

To be eligible for travel expenses you need to be in receipt of a means-tested loan. You can apply in December time for that academic year, so you need to pay first, then get money back. You also won't get anywhere near the amount it will really cost you.

Since you won't be needing to go to Glasgow or the uni area during the long summer holidays (unless you work there) there is little point in shelling out for a yearly one. It would be better to get a mix of ten-weekly and four-weekly ones to try to fit it around the session dates. Then get a 16-25 railcard for the holidays to get money off normal train tickets.

You do not have to take out a student loan to be entitled to travel expenses.

how does that work...?

Sorry, it must have changed. They need to know your parents' financial details, usually you only give them this to get the means-tested loan. If you don't want to take out a loan then you'll need to give them their details when it comes to applying for travel claims.

All the information is on the SAAS website.

As for which transport method to choose, it's up to you. I chose to get the train over the bus (even though the train is more expensive) because it's quicker and much more convenient for me. SAAS will pay for both options, as long as you buy a season pass, so not single journeys.

so you live at home too then i take it.
do you regret it??
i mean, ALL my friends moving out, its just, im ill alot and plus the thought of a huge loan doesnt exactly make me go YAY living away....

ohhh i dont know.
i just dont want to be left out :|

Glasgow has loads of people who choose to commute in. The vast majority of my group of friends also travelled up. Travelling home after a night out can be tricky, but chances are you'll meet people who stay in Glasgow and can crash at their flat.

If you want to move out then you can in later years, there's nothing stopping you from doing that.

yeah, the nights out thing worries me...
will i be able to crash in say, someones student halls?
do they mind, and would they notice?

Well obviously you'll need to meet and make friends with someone in halls, but no one cares really. And if worst comes to worst you can always go to the casino and wait until the trains start up. Or they may be late buses that go your way.