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Traveling by bus or train may lack the allure of some other modes of transportation, but it can be an economical way to get from city to city.

And you don't find too many travel credit cards specifically advertising ways to help you with that kind of travel. In fact, when you think of travel credit cards, you probably think of plane tickets.

But depending on the card issuer, your redemption options don't have to stop there. And much like with airlines, you can save on bus and train travel costs by optimizing credit cards and rewards programs. Here’s how.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit cards for transit spending

Know what qualifies as 'travel'

Any number of rewards credit cards will offer bonus points on travel purchases. But the definition of "travel purchases" can vary widely among issuers. The good news is that, among most major issuers, bus lines and passenger railways count .

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , for example, both offer bonus rewards points on travel-related purchases, and that includes train and bus tickets. Those rewards points can be redeemed for cash, used to book travel through Chase or transferred to airline or hotel partners.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers a $300 annual travel credit that applies to a wide range of travel purchases, including train and bus fare.

Snag that sign-up bonus

Bus and train travelers also can take advantage of credit card sign-up bonuses to fund their trips.

With some travel cards, bonus points or miles can be redeemed to cover the cost of train and bus rides.

And you don't have to limit yourself to travel credit cards. Some cash-back credit cards — like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card — also offer hefty sign-up bonuses when new cardholders meet a minimum spend within the first few months. And a cash-back bonus can be used toward whatever you like, including bus and rail travel.

Join a bus or train loyalty program

To get more mileage out of your bookings, see whether the bus or train company you’re using has a rewards program. Much like frequent flyer miles, these rewards programs help travelers earn free or discounted trips, as well as additional perks like points that can be used at retail, hotel and car rental partners.

Greyhound, for example, has its Road Rewards program; every time a rewards member books a bus trip with Greyhound, he or she earns points that can be redeemed for discounts on future Greyhound bus travel, a companion pass for a friend and discounts on food at Greyhound stations.

The Amtrak Guest Rewards program operates similarly. Amtrak riders earn 2 points per dollar spent on Amtrak and can redeem not only for Amtrak travel but also for hotel stays, car rentals and gift cards from participating partners.

By pairing these rewards programs with credit card points, travelers can double up on their discounts.

Apply for a co-branded card

If you’re a brand loyalist who sticks to certain bus and train companies, see whether those companies offer their own credit cards to help you earn points faster.

For example, in addition to the free Guest Rewards program, Amtrak also offers two credit cards that can help travelers earn Amtrak points faster. One card, the Amtrak Guest Rewards World Mastercard , has an annual fee of $79, but cardholders receive 20,000 bonus points when they spend at least $1,000 on the card in the first 90 days of account opening. The card also gives 3 points for every dollar spent on Amtrak travel, including onboard purchases; 2 points for every dollar spent on other qualifying travel; and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

The second card, the Amtrak Guest Rewards Platinum Mastercard, has no annual fee, but the bonus is smaller: 12,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. The card gives 2 points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel, including onboard purchases, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

» MORE: Review of the Amtrak Guest Rewards World Mastercard

On a similar note...

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Australia , Bus Industry News

Nsw government introduces free opal card for bus drivers.

The new announcement for NSW bus drivers has been welcomed by BusNSW

The NSW government has announced that all bus drivers in the state will be able to travel on public transport for free as part of a major government overhaul to boost the bus driver workforce.

The move will see workers provided with free Opal cards to support the industry and improve services by incentivising more drivers to get behind the wheel.

This introduction was a key recommendation made in the Bus Industry Taskforce Interim Report that called for action to support driver recruitment and retention.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) will now consult with operators, employees and unions to roll out the cards so that drivers and other workers can travel for free across Opal-enabled public transport networks and access all staff facilities on the Opal network throughout the shift.

This means bus drivers will have PT travel benefits in line with Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink employees.

BusNSW executive director Matt Threlkeld says this was benefit members in the state.

“The provision of an Employee Opal card has been part of BusNSW’s Driver Recruitment Action Plan for some time, which was based on advice from members,” Threlkeld says.

“We are hopeful that this employee benefit will assist with the promotion of bus industry career opportunities.”

This move follows the NSW government last month kicking off a new recruitment campaign to fix the shortage.

NSW transport minister Jo Haylen says this shows the government is doing everything it can to attract new bus drivers and to support the current workforce.

“This is a no-brainer. We are taking action to address a key recommendation out of the Bus Industry Taskforce’s interim Report and support our hard-working frontline staff,” Haylen says.

“Drivers and operational staff like our mechanics have told us this is what they want and we’re going to deliver on it.

“Staff will be able to use these cards to travel across the Opal-enabled public transport network, including to and from work, and to access other facilities like train station bathrooms while they’re out on the road.”

Haylen says the government wants drivers to be able to comfortably take breaks between shifts before getting back on the road and fulfilling their vital roles connecting the community.

“The Bus Industry Taskforce will consult with employees, unions and operators over the coming months to help ensure a smooth rollout of the cards,” Haylen says.

“The rollout of these cards will mean every bus and train driver will be able to travel freely on the public transport network they proudly operate every day.”

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Bus Driver Appreciation Card: Free Printable!

June 16, 2016 by Laura Kiernan 2 Comments

Say “thank you” to the special person who takes your kids safely to school every day with a free printable bus driver appreciation card ! 

Miss Dorothy was my kindergarten bus driver, who graciously held on to my forgotten teddy bear at the bus dispatcher’s office until my mom arrived to retrieve it – more times than I’d like to admit.

Then there was Mr. Tom, who drove my bus route throughout elementary school. In the warmer months, his short-sleeved shirt revealed a huge tattoo of a bikini-clad lady on his forearm.

My mom was fond of Miss Dorothy’s ability to spot stuffed animals hiding in the seats, and she didn’t approve of Mr. Tom’s tattoo.

But, she appreciated them equally for safely delivering me to and from school every day, so she always made sure to give them a little gift at the holidays.

Now I have a little bus-rider of my own, and Mr. Fran, my son’s kindergarten bus driver, is a warm and friendly guy who the kids and parents all love.

Bus Driver Appreciation Gift Ideas

This post contains affiliate links that connect you to relevant products. If you click and make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosures .

Want to give your child’s bus driver something extra special? Here are a few options, and I also have a whole post with cute bus driver appreciation gift ideas as well.

Just click on an image to go right to the product.

Bus Driver Appreciation Card – A Free Printable for You!

I made a special bus driver appreciation card for Mr. Fran to let him know that we’re thankful for all he does to make my boy’s ride to school safe and fun.

Now, you can get a copy for your bus driver! Just click the green button to download the PDF.

Important note: This printable card is for personal use only and may not be sold, copied, or otherwise distributed.

Thanks to Mr. Fran, my son loves riding the bus and is now known as the “human GPS” because he’s learned how to get around our town.

Whether you have a Dorothy, Tom, or Fran in your life, take the time to make them feel special and thank them for putting up with your little hooligans. 🙂

Check out these other ideas:

• 8 Bus Driver Appreciation Gift Ideas They’ll Love {+ printable card}
• Free Printable St. Patrick’s Day Teacher Appreciation Card
• Free Printable Teacher Valentine’s Day Card That Goes With Any Gift

About Laura Kiernan

I'm Laura, a mom of two little humans and one furry rescue pup. As a full-time working mom, I understand how tough it is to keep your home looking nice and functioning well while juggling everything life throws at you. Check out my organization tips , decor ideas , and quick crafts that will help even the busiest mom feel more in control of her home.

October 23, 2017 at 11:19 PM

I love this printable, the idea, and the wording.

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by Between Carpools | November 20, 2021 | 0 comment(s)

Print These Adorable Teacher & Bus Driver Thank You Cards. Free Download!

Part of giving a gift is the thought that goes behind it. and these thank you cards are full of thought they’re guaranteed to make any teacher or driver smile..

These thank you cards also teach children the midah of hakaras hatov, as you’re involving them in the gift-giving. They’re easy and fun to fill out and color…but as they do, they’re thinking about why they appreciate the people who help them throughout the day.

For the teacher cards, choose the style you like and have your child fill it out (or you can fill out what they say, depending on their age). For the driver cards, write a message or draw a picture in the window.

You can choose to have your child color the cards, or print them out in color. There’s both options below!

DOWNLOAD THE B&W COLORING CARDS HERE DOWNLOAD THE FULL COLOR CARDS HERE

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Between Carpools is a collaboration between five talented friends who like to get a lot of stuff done “between carpools.” Since 2016, we’ve been sharing home and organizing tips, parenting insights, activities, how-to’s and DIYs, and of course, entertaining ideas, recipes, and inspiring reads both on the site and app.

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Travelcards

A travelcard gives you more freedom to travel by bus in the west of england. you don’t have to carry any cash on you and you can use it on any bus*, including the new metrobus services..

• Cheaper fares than paying with cash
• No need to carry cash
• Buy in advance online – click and collect
• Child, Young person, and Student tickets available
• Top up at metrobus iPoints
• Buy for someone else – give the gift of travel

When buying tickets online, you’ll be able to collect them at a metrobus iPoint 2 hours later, or on the bus (except First buses and metrobus services) and Bristol Park & Ride sites the following day from 6am (when ordered before 11pm).

On all services (except metrobus services) and metrobus iPoints. These tickets become available immediately.

*Available tickets may vary by bus operator.

Login, register or order a card online

Have an account .

Please sign in to the Travelcards portal .

Have a card but no account?

Sign up on our Travelcards portal . Your balance and tickets will not be protected against theft and loss until you register your card.  

Need a card? 

Order one online from our Travelcards portal now or get one from any bus service in the West of England (except First services and metrobus services), First Bristol and Bath travel shop, or an available metrobus iPoint, visit our  frequently asked questions  for more information.

Did you know you can also use your Travelcard to hire a vehicle from the Co-Wheels Car Club? After you receive your Travelcard, visit  co-wheels.org.uk/bristol  to register.

How to use and choose tickets

You can top up your Travelcard with different tickets that can be used in different services. But, which one is the best one for your journey and where can you buy it? Have a look below to find out.  If you need more information please have a look at our frequently asked questions before contacting us .

When buying tickets online, you’ll be able to collect them at a metrobus iPoint 2 hours later, or on the bus (except First, Stagecoach, and metrobus services) and Bristol Park & Ride sites the following day from 6am (when ordered before 11pm).

Simply hold the card to the machine on the bus. If you have more than one ticket on your card, advise the driver of which ticket you would like to use. If boarding a First bus the machine will automatically select the ticket for you depending on your destination.

First Bristol and Bath and metrobus tickets

The following First Bus products in Adult, Student, Young Person (16-21) and Child can be loaded onto Travelcards:

• Bath Zone  – 5 or 10 trip Single tickets (top up on bus only), Day, Week & Month
• Bristol Zone  – 5 or 10 trip Single tickets, Day (one day ticket at iPoints, or packs of 3 or 5 tickets online), Week & Month
• West of England Zone  – 5 trip Single tickets (top up on bus only), Day (one day ticket at iPoints, or packs of 3 or 5 tickets online), Week & Month

These tickets will be accepted in any First buses in the Bristol Zone, Bath Zone and West of England Zone , including all  metrobus services .

Multi-Operator Rider Tickets

Rider Tickets  are tickets accepted by all bus operators in a given area. They are valid for travel on the day of issue and up to 2.59am the following morning.

To see the areas covered by these tickets, please visit our online Rider areas map .

The following tickets can be purchased online *, at a metrobus iPoint, and on the bus from the driver (on bus purchase not available on Stagecoach or metrobus services):

• AvonRider Adult  – Covering the area of the former County of Avon. Day ticket and Weekly ticket are available online. For fares and more information about the AvonRider ticket visit this page .
• BristolRider Adult  – Covering approximately a 6 mile radius of the city centre. Day ticket and Weekly ticket are available online. For fares and more information about the BristolRider ticket visit this page .

* Only Adult tickets can be bought online , you can buy other tickets from the driver. Packs of 3 and 5 are also available online only.

The following tickets can be purchased from the driver and loaded onto your Travelcard on the bus**, except Stagecoach buses, (using cash or Pay-As-You-Go credit):

• BathRider  – Covering the Bath urban area. Day ticket and Weekly ticket are available. For fares and more information about the Bath Rider ticket visit this page .
• WestonRider  – Covering the Weston-super-Mare urban area. Only Day ticket available. For fares and more information about the WestonRider ticket visit this page .

** Only Adult tickets  are available to buy for your Travelcard.

Pay-As-You-Go (epurse)

With Pay-As-You-Go you can buy any available ticket using credit you load onto your Travelcard in advance.

You can top up your Pay-As-You-Go balance by registering your Travelcard at portal.squidcard.com , and collect your credit at a metrobus iPoint, or on any bus services run by the following operators:

The services that accept payments with Pay-As-You-Go balance are by the operators listed above and metrobus iPoints.

Simply hold your card to the reader on the bus and inform the driver you wish to buy your ticket with Pay-As-You-Go balance.

Using Pay-As-You-Go simply place the card on the holder, select which ticket you wish to buy and select pay with sQuid.

Some bus operators even offer special ‘smart’ discounts for customers using Pay-As-You-Go.

Please be aware that costs and terms of use of tickets are set by operators and we cannot accept responsibility for incorrect or outdated information as unplanned changes may occur.

Travelwest Travelcards team

For any Travelcard's issues, including the Travelcards portal and lost or stolen cards, please contact the SWSAL helpline. Normal opening hours: 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Major Alerts

Major updates that may affect your travel in the west of england..

'That's a great thing' | Twiggs County School District using new app to track kids' bus routes

Calling all Twiggs County parents and students!

Some parents in the  Twiggs County School District  were concerned about the school bus schedule and pick-up times.

Now, they have an app for that called My Ride K-12 to monitor their child's trip on and off the school bus.

The wheels on the bus go round and round for the safety of Twiggs County students, and the My Ride app is designed to give parents and bus drivers peace of mind.

Kids can scan their cards on the bus, and their parent and the bus driver gets a notification.

The new app allows parents and students to access their bus stop location, route, and pick-up time.

According to James Austin, the assistant superintendent for the Twiggs County School District, their Board of Education approved the purchase of the My Ride on-board tablets using SPLOST dollars and the combination of safety grants to accomplish this.

Kwame Bloodworth is the Transportation Coordinator for the Twiggs County School District.

"Our school system invested into this information so that parents can know where their child is real-time," Bloodworth said. "Students were issued the cards or badges, and they scan on the bus and they scan off the bus and the moment they scan on the bus it notifies parents on the app exactly what bus that child is on, the location of the bus, and the driver."

Bloodworth drives the kids on the bus to and from school himself. He says the app can provide that extra level of security and let them know that they are watching out for their concerns and that they care.

 "It lets them know when they get to the school, when they load back up and when they are headed home," Bloodworth said. "For most working parents, that's a great thing."

Rise' Jenkins is the principal at Jeffersonville Elementary School .

"Putting your baby on that bus not knowing that they can communicate who their bus driver is, or where they're supposed to be going is scary," Jenkins said. "Luckily for us, we have this new app, we have this new enterprise that will allow us to have a safe transaction all the way."

Jenkins is a mother and also uses the My Ride app for tracking field trips and other events.

She says being Twiggs County is rural, so often the school buses will be delayed here and there due to weather or road blockages. 

Now, they can plan ahead and put their minds at ease.

"The idea that parents no longer have to call directly to the school to know if their kid is being transferred safely to and from school was incredible," Jenkins said. "It makes me feel like we're moving in the right direction. It also gives us a direct connection between the transportation department, the school, and the parents."

Jase Chapman is a 2nd grader at Jeffersonville Elementary. 

"This badge gets me on and off the bus," Chapman said. "I come up to the bus to get picked up every day and I scan this card. It's my driver's license."

His mother, Shauna Grant, says the My Ride app is easy to use for both her and her kids.

"My kids do ride the bus every morning because that gives me a little time to myself before I have to get to work," Grant said. "Also, knowing that they're being transported home safely it gives me a lot of peace of mind. It keeps track of the children getting on and off the bus. There's been times where children ride different buses to different addresses so it helps keep track of that and you can always know where your kids are going and overall you feel safer as a parent."

Grant's kids both have their bus cards to scan once they get on the bus.

She says once she gets the notification, she can breathe easier.

"This app is great," Grant said. "When other things might fail, we can still have that communication and know that they're safe, they're taken care of, where they're at, and what's going on in their life at all times."

Other districts such as Monroe County also use the My Ride K-12 app.

For those in Macon, they have a Safe4Bibb app .

Schedules and routes

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Ways to get around

• Bus and tram lines ›
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• Journey Planner manual ›
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• Payment zones ›
• Night fare ›
• Ticket inspection ›
• Points of sale ›
• Bus and tram lines
• Demand responsive buses
• Park and ride
• Journey Planner manual
• Popular destinations
• Contactless payment
• Mobile tickets

Travel card

• Payment zones
• Ticket inspection
• Points of sale

How can we help?

• Single ticket
• Season Ticket

Travel card is an easy way to pay for your trips in the Nysse area

Buy a season ticket or load value on the travel card to pay for a single ticket and the night fare . You can also use the value to pay for some public sports services, such as the swimming pool fee in Tampere.

You can buy tickets from the Nella.fi online service , Nysse sales points or customer service .

Get a travel card online or from customer service

You can order a travel card from the Nella.fi online service or buy it from the customer service . The price of the travel card is €6.00.

When you buy the card, you accept our Ticket and Payment Terms. We save your personal data in the customer register so that we can serve you in the best way.

Travel card manual

You can buy a travel card for yourself and for your dependent children in Nella.fi online service . If you are acting on behalf of another adult, make sure that the Suomi.fi e-Authorizations are in order.

Your information will be checked in the Suomi.fi identification service . You can identify yourself with Finnish bank IDs, a mobile certificate or a certificate card.

When you return to the Nella.fi online service, pay for the purchase in an online bank, with a credit or debit card or mobile payment (Paytrail payment service). Your order will be processed within a few business days and the card will be delivered to you by mail (note the time it takes for the mail to be transported).

Please notice

• From the Nella.fi online service, it is not possible to order holder-specific travel cards for private individuals or in the name of a company or community.
• Tickets from a lost card cannot be transferred to a card purchased from the Nella.fi online service. Buy a new travel card from customer service if you want to use the tickets of the lost card.

You can buy a travel card for immediate use from our customer service . Please note that our customer service point is only open on weekdays.

Take your ID with you: identity card, driver's license, passport or Kela card with a picture. For children, we also accept a Kela card without a picture.

If you don't have a Finnish identity card or otherwise don't want your information to be saved in the customer register, you can buy a travel card for the holder. An age group is set on the card, which can be changed in customer service if necessary:

• chidren: 0–16 years old
• youth: 17–24 years old
• adults: 25 years old and older

You cannot purchase tickets for the holder specific travel card online. The card cannot be closed nor replaced if it is lost.

You can load the value at sales points in an even sums (€10, €20, €30) and in the Nella.fi online service with the amount you want (at least €10). The travel card can have a maximum of €120 value at a time.

Always select at least 2 adjacent zones for your ticket, even if you are about to travel in only one zone. The selected zones can be changed when purchasing a new ticket or at the point of sale.

The value can be used to pay for a single ticket on the bus, tram and at the station platform when you take a train trip in the Nysse area. The night fare is charged for the value in addition to the single ticket between 00:00 and 04:40 a.m.

Even if your travel card has a season ticket, you can use the value to pay for a single ticket

• to deviating zones on a bus or trolley (not at the platform ticket machines)
• for your friend if he is the same age (or younger) as you
• for a paid means of transport (e.g. bicycle).

The value can also be used to pay for public swimming pool or gym fees in Tampere, Nokia and Ylöjärvi.

Nysse service area is divided into three payment zones AB, BC and ABC. The heart of the area is in zone A in Tampere, which ends in the west at the intersection of Porintie and Paasikiventie and in the east at the intersection of Teiskontie and Lahdentie. The border runs along Tampere's eastern and western ring roads.

Zone A therefore extends from the central center of Tampere to Santalahti, Hyhky, Härmälää, Partola, Taatala, Nirva, Korkinmäki, Turtola, Viiala, Messukylä, Ristinarkku and Takahuhti.

They belong to zone B

• The suburbs of Tampere, up to Sorila in the north
• Pirkkala and Ylöjärvi municipal centers and
• Kangasala Vatiala.

The C-zone includes all other municipal areas of the urban region.

Select zones AB, BC or ABC when purchasing a ticket. If the default zones of the travel card do not suit your journey, select the zones with the bus or tram ticket device. The zones return to the defaults when the one-time ticket has expired.

The travel card can be used to pay for trips on buses, trams and trains running in the zones of Nysse. Load the travel card with value to pay for a single ticket or buy a season ticket when you travel regularly.

• On the bus and tram, the ticket machines are near the entrances. Use the card at the ticket device immediately after boarding.
• On train journey s, the ticket machine is on the station platform. Confirm your Nysse ticket with the device even before boarding the train.

In addition to the single ticket, the night fare is charged automatically between 00:00 and 04:40. The night supplement cannot be paid separately with cash or another payment method.

With the value loaded on the travel card, you can also pay swimming pool and gym fees at the sports services in Tampere, Nokia and Ylöjärvi. You can get more detailed instructions from the service provider.

If the default zones on your travel card are not suitable for a single journey, change the zones with the ticket device on the bus or tram. Zones cannot be changed at the ticket machines located on railway station platforms.

Do not use the travel card in the reader of the ticket device, but proceed as follows:

• On the device screen, select Choose zones.
• Check and select the zones for your trip.
• Insert your travel card into the reader.

The price of the single ticket will be charged from the value of the travel card based on the zones you choose. The single ticket is valid for 90 minutes in selected zones. The zones will return to the defaults only after the single ticket expires.

The travel cards found on the means of transport will be delivered to customer service within a couple of days. The owner of the found travel card will be notified by text message. You can update your phone number saved in the customer register in the Nella.fi online service or by calling customer service .

You can close your travel card by calling or contacting customer service. Personal information is required to close the card. The card cannot be closed in the Nella.fi online service.

Buy a new travel card from customer service if you want to use the tickets of the lost card. A processing fee of €7 is charged for the ticket transfer and a card fee of €6 for the new travel card. Take your identity card with you (a Kela card is also valid for a child). Remember to add your new travel card to your Nella.fi user account.

• Tickets from a lost card cannot be transferred to a card purchased from the Nella.fi online service.
• The holder-specific travel card cannot be closed or replaced with a new one. Found cards will be invalidated and tickets cannot be refunded, as their owner cannot be determined.

You can give the travel card you found to the driver or deliver it to Nysse point of sale or customer service . No discovery fee is paid.

If you find your own closed travel card yourself, do not use it until you have reported the discovery to customer service. The card will be opened and you will receive instructions on when the card can be used again.

The travel card has a five-year warranty. You can get a new travel card free of charge at customer service if the card is damaged through no fault or negligence of your own. If the card has been damaged intentionally, a card fee of €6.00 will be charged for the new card and a handling fee of €7.00 for the ticket transfer.

Take the damaged travel card and ID with you to the customer service: ID card, driver's license, passport or photo card. For children, we also accept a Kela card without a picture.

The ticket information of a holder-specific or company travel card cannot be determined without the card number. If the card number printed on the card has worn off, take with you, for example, a top-up receipt or other document that shows the number.

After your own payment, use your travel card with the ticket machine again. The value of the travel card is charged the price of a single ticket for your own age group. Your age group must also be suitable for your friend.

If you change from one means of transport to another, remember to use the travel card with the ticket machine even when changing twice.

You can pay for 90-minute single tickets for up to nine people. If there are more than nine people in the group, you can pay for a single trip without the right to change to another bus or tram.

If you get off at different stops, leave the travel card with the last passenger in the group for a possible ticket check.

The travel card can be borrowed if the card does not have a personal ticket and the age group of the card is suitable for the borrower.

• The card of a child aged 7-16 can only be borrowed for the use of another child.
• The card of a young person aged 17-24 can be borrowed for use by another young person or child.
• The card of an adult over the age of 25 can be borrowed for anyone's use.
• The card of a senior over the age of 65 can be borrowed for use by anyone outside the discount period. During the discount period from 9 am to 2 pm, the card may only be lent to another person over the age of 65.

The travel card's age group changes automatically if the card owner's personal information is stored on the card. The travel card owner can use the season ticket loaded on their own travel card until the end, even if the age group changes in the middle of the season. The single ticket price changes on the same day when the age group of the travel card owner changes.

The age group of a holder-specific travel card can be changed at the customer service because the cards do not have the user's date of birth, but a permanent age group. A value or season ticket loaded onto a holder-specific travel card may only be used by a person for whom the age group of the ticket is suitable. The age groups are:

• The adult age group includes people over 25 years old
• The youth age group includes 17-24 year olds
• The children's age group includes 7-16 year olds

Passengers over the age of 65 automatically receive a discount on a single ticket paid with the value of the travel card. The discount is valid daily in all zones from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can keep an unnecessary travel card. If you want to end your customer relationship, return your travel card to customer service. In addition to the travel card, you must also bring an ID: ID card, driver's license, passport or photo ID card. For children, we also accept a Kela card without a picture.

The card payment is not refunded, but the remaining tickets can be refunded. The value of the refund is calculated according to the fare valid at the time the ticket purchase. The remaining season ticket will be converted into a value ticket and the value will be refunded in cash. A processing fee of €7 is charged for the return.

Tickets on the holder-specific travel card are not refundable. More detailed information can be found in the payment and travel conditions.

If you yourself are prevented from dealing with customer service, you can make a power of attorney with which another person can handle the matter for you. The person dealing with a power of attorney must prove his identity.

Other payment methods

• Nysse Mobiili (mobile tickets) ›
• Advance ticket ›

More information

• Power of attorney (pdf)
• Tampere - Public Swimming Pools
• Tampere - Public Gyms

Nysse customer service

Due to a technical fault, erroneous top ups were effected on some Tallinja Cards. This means that credit was added to some Tallinja Card accounts without the card holder actually paying. These erroneous top ups are being reversed. In order to view your transaction history and check whether this has affected your Tallinja Card, please click on the link below and enter your customer number and the last four digits found on the barcode on your Tallinja Card.

Bus Cards and Tickets

Cash tickets on the bus.

Night Service

Cash fare on bus.

The daytime fare for a bus ticket is €2.50 and the night-time fare is €3. On all our buses, tickets can be purchased from the bus driver. These cash tickets are Single Journey tickets valid for travel to any location within two hours, including transfers.

You can also opt for our tallinja cards. These are a range of bus cards offering added value and reduced fares to suit your needs, depending on your traveling patterns.

Personalised tallinja card

Regular commuters can opt to register for their personalized tallinja card. This offers reduced fares and the ability to top up the card with additional credit. Card registration fees and postage fares apply.

For further details, please click here .

Explore Flex Card (Starting from €6)

The Explore Flex card provides even more flexibility than other travel cards when paying for your various transport options. It is the only non-personalised card that can be topped up and used for pay-as-you-go transport whilst still offering reduced rates on different transport options, public bus transport, Valletta Ferry Services, and many others. You can purchase the card for €6, which will be your credit for you to use immediately.

When purchasing this card, you can immediately use the credit on your Flex card to travel. In this way, you will not need to use any cash, no need to make sure you have exact change to pay your public bus fare, and you can pay for other transport options, like taking the ferry from Valletta to either The Three Cities or Sliema. It’s that simple.

Moreover, when purchasing the card, you may also link this to the tallinja app, which can be downloaded for free from the Android Play Store or iOS Apple Store. You will then be able to check your credit, top up your Explore Flex card, plan your trips, and purchase any special offers we frequently make available for Tallinja App users.

We currently have a special offer of €31 which includes six days of unlimited travel on the bus and two single-way tickets on the Gozo Highspeed fast ferry to Gozo.

Click here for more information.

Explore (Adult €25 / Child €7) - Unlimited travel for 7 days

With unlimited travel, the 7-Day Explore Card offers the best value for anyone wanting to explore our islands. You can go to all of Malta’s sites of interest, in any part of Malta and Gozo. You can hop on or off anytime, as many times as you want, and at any time. So whether you are hitting the beach, visiting Ħaġar Qim, or going to a village festa, the card will offer you unlimited travel, any time of the day. This card is valid for travel on day services, night services, special services and also Tallinja Direct services. It includes other services which you can benefit from when using this card:

A discount of EUR3 when going to the National Aquarium.

The card is valid for seven days of unlimited travel starting from the first day and time that the card is validated on the bus. There is a card for adults and another for children (up to 10 years old). The card may not be shared with other persons.

Our cards are available for purchase at all our Sales and Information Offices, card-dispensing machines in various popular locations and other leading outlets and can be used immediately.

Click here  for information on where to buy your Explore Card.

12 Single Day Journeys (€21)

Our 12 Journeys card is another easy and cost-effective way of getting around Malta and Gozo.  The expiry of the card is according to the period stated on the back of the card. Are you an occasional bus user who does not want to register but still wants to benefit from cheaper fares on the bus? Do you need to travel around between meetings, or for a meeting? This is the product you need. Keep it at hand, and just hop onto a bus.

Whether you use Day, Night, or Tallinja Direct Services you will only redeem one Journey.

Our cards are available for purchase at all our Sales and Information Offices, card-dispensing machines, and other leading outlets and can be used immediately.

Click here  for information on where to buy your 12 Single Day Journeys Card.

Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel

Find the latest information on free bus travel for under 22s.

All young people and children aged 5-21 years can apply for a card to access the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme.

You will need a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC with the valid free travel entitlement with you whenever you want to take the bus – otherwise you’ll have to pay for your trip.

Eligibility

If you live in Scotland and are 5-21 years old you are eligible for a card giving you free bus travel. You must be resident in Scotland for the majority of the year (at least six months). Children under 5 years old already travel for free on buses and don’t need a card.

Children and young people aged 5-21 years old will need a new or replacement National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) before hopping on board. Previously issued cards will not allow access to the scheme.

Learn more about how you can apply for the scheme .

If you’re aged between 16 and 21 and you already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC issued prior to when applications opened on 10 January 2022, you can download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app. This means you may not need to apply for a new card to access your free bus travel.

Active cards are those received since 2016 – they’ll have a long number next to the ITSO logo and, if there’s a date of birth shown, it will be highlighted with a pink strip.

Find out more about how to download and use the app .

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with the Improvement Service (who are accountable for the NEC Scheme), National Entitlement Card Programme Office (who are responsible for the management of the NEC and support local authorities with the application process), and Young Scot to deliver the scheme.

The acceptable 'proofs' you can provide for the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme whether applying online or through offline application routes allow some extra flexibility - see Frequently Asked Questions for full details. Briefly, 'out of date passports' can be used to support an application and proof of residency documents may be dated within the last 12 months.

Asylum seekers and refugees

Asylum seekers and refugees aged between 5 and 21 can access the scheme. As with all others of those ages living in Scotland, they can apply for a National Entitlement Card (NEC) to access free bus travel.

To apply, find out what documents you can use to provide proof on the  NEC website .

The Application Registration Card (ARC), issued by the Home Office, can be used in conjunction with other information/evidence to apply for a NEC in person, through your local council.

When an application is made in person, officials can vouch for an applicant (or a parent acting on their behalf) by considering other information/evidence which cannot be used in the online application process.

The ARC is not accepted as proof of identity on its own, or for online applications as, under the UK Proof of Age Scheme (PASS), it cannot be used to establish evidence of identification online and there is no online equivalent to the help provided offline to support applications.

Where can I travel?

The scheme will give you free travel on any bus in any part of Scotland on registered bus services. You can travel on buses outside the area you live in using your card. Only a few services, such as premium-fare night buses and City Sightseeing buses, will not accept the card. Contact the bus company before you travel if you are unsure.

If travelling, you should always follow the latest advice to keep yourself and others safe.

Find out more about the benefits of free bus travel at freebus.scot

Using your card

Using your card is really easy. Make sure you have your card with you and then when you get on the bus, tell the bus driver where you are going, tap it on the electronic card reader to use it and the smart technology will do the rest.

If you are over 11 years old you can choose to apply for the Young Scot NEC. You can use it to save money with in-person and online discounts – with over 500 discounts in Scotland and over 100,000 deals across Europe. It also acts as proof of age. What’s more, you can collect points by taking part in activities and exchanging these for Rewards. Find out more at Young Scot’s website .

• You will need a new or replacement NEC or Young Scot NEC to travel for free on the bus.
• It’s your card and only your card – your friends can’t borrow it.
• Take good care of it – if you forget it or it gets damaged and doesn’t work, you’ll need to pay the fare.
• If your card has a photo, make sure it is up to date and it looks like you
• Always keep in touch with your family and friends to let them know where you are – it’s important to stay safe

The main thing is to have your card with you whenever you want to take the bus – otherwise you’ll have to pay for your trip. Parents or guardians – this means you too! Don’t forget your child’s card when they are travelling with you.

Read some top tips on planning your bus journey and what to expect at freebus.scot

Tickets for Concessionary Bus Travel

The National Concessionary Travel Scheme legislation does not require paper tickets to be issued to cardholders for concession journeys. The issuing of paper tickets to passengers is an operational decision at the discretion of the bus operator.

When a National Entitlement Card is placed on the ticket machine this will automatically record the boarding stage, to receive reimbursement for the journey the driver must accurately record the requested destination stage. Whilst this information forms the record of this journey, all concession claims undergo comprehensive audit compliance and analysis checks before any reimbursement is made.

Concerns of misuse of the Concessionary Travel Schemes should be reported to our 24-hour dedicated Freephone line 0800 328 5690. If you have any other questions about concessionary bus travel, please email us at [email protected]

How to apply

If you are 5-21 years old and live in Scotland you are eligible for free bus travel.

All children and young people aged 5-21 will need to apply for a new or replacement National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) to access free bus travel. Previously issued cards will not allow you access to the scheme. Children aged under 5 years do not need a card as they already travel for free on commercial bus services across Scotland.

However, if you’re aged between 16 and 21 and you already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC, you can download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app. This means you may not need to apply for a new card to access your free bus travel.

The photograph on the card must look like you (if your NEC or Young Scot NEC includes a photo) to travel by bus for free.

Read the scheme’s full terms and conditions .

How to Apply

You can either apply online at getyournec.scot  or (if your child’s school uses it) on parentsportal.scot . If you’re applying online, you may find it useful, before starting the application process, to download or look out the documents as outlined on  getyournec.scot  that you will need. You can apply using a smartphone/tablet or a computer depending on your preference, and if you don't have scanned copies of your documents, you can take photos of your proofs during the application process using a smartphone/tablet. Alternatively you can apply directly with your local council. 

• If you are aged 16-21 you must apply for a new NEC yourself
• A parent, guardian or carer must apply on behalf of 5–15 year olds and provide approval for them to travel for free by bus
• Children under 5 years old do not need a card as they already travel for free on commercial bus services

To aid applications made through getyournec.scot , videos have been made which walk you through the online application process step-by-step:

• How to apply for a card for your child
• How to request a replacement card with free bus travel

What you will need to apply online

Before you apply online this is what you’ll need. You won’t be able to save and resume your application, so please get this information ready before you start.

Applying for a National Entitlement Card for yourself aged 16+? 

To apply you will need:

• a device with a camera or webcam (laptop/tablet/phone).
• to sign in using your mygovscot myaccount (click register if you don’t have one).
• a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders.
• proof of identity (passport, driving licence, Young Scot card, Biometric Residence Permit or use your  Yoti account ).
• proof of address (such as Council Tax bill or bank statement).

Parent/guardian/carer applying on behalf of your child aged under 16?

• parent/guardian/carer proof of identity (passport, driving licence, Young Scot card, Biometric Residence Permit or use your  Yoti account ).
• parent/guardian/carer proof of address (such as Council Tax bill or bank statement).
• proof of your child's identity (eg. birth certificate (if under 11 only), passport, Biometric Residence Permit or Young Scot card).
• proof of your child's address (only if they live at a different address from you).
• a recent digital image of the child (if aged 11+) showing head and shoulders.

Proof of relationship

There are a number of documents you can use to show your relationship with your child:

• Full Birth Certificate (abbreviated certificates cannot be used), or
• Adoption Order, or
• Kinship Care Order, or
• Compulsory Supervision Order, or
• Residence Order, or
• Permanence Order, or
• Guardianship Order, or
• Parental Order, or
• Something that shows you’re the main person looking after your child. This can be a copy of either a letter from your local authority or a legal order.

View a full list of accepted proof of address and photograph guidelines

Once you have applied on getyournec.scot , you can log back in to check the status of your application – i.e. submitted, approved, rejected.

If you cannot apply online, there are many other ways to apply, please contact your local council .

In some local council areas, schools are coordinating applications on behalf of their pupils. Schools will contact parents or guardians and pupils directly if this arrangement is in place.

You should allow up to ten working days from the date your application was approved for your card to arrive.

Some local councils may not be able to offer in-person applications at all times so please do check their website or call before setting off.

Parentsportal.scot

If you live in any of the local council areas which uses parentsportal.scot you might find it convenient to apply for a new card through that route.

The local council areas are:

• Aberdeenshire
• East Renfrewshire
• North Lanarkshire
• Perth and Kinross
• Renfrewshire
• West Lothian.

The type of National Entitlement Card you apply for and whether you need approval from a parent or guardian depends on your age.

For those aged 11+ it’s your choice whether you apply for the Young Scot NEC or a standard NEC. Remember that Young Scot offers discounts, rewards, membership and is PASS accredited, meaning you can use a Young Scot NEC as proof of age. Find out more at Young Scot’s website .

Your responsibilities

• The NEC is only valid for use by the person it’s issued to – no one else can use it
• Take good care of your card. You must be physically carrying your card to access the scheme – if you forget it or it gets damaged and doesn’t work, you’ll need to pay the fare
• Always keep in touch with you family and friends to let them know where you are – it’s important to stay safe

Read the scheme terms and conditions .

Transport Scotland’s Pass Collect app

If you are aged between 16 and 21 and already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC you can download your free bus travel using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app.

Active cards are those received since 2016 – they’ll have a long number next to the ITSO logo and, if there’s a date of birth shown, it will be highlighted with a pink strip. Please note, any NECs which are dedicated matriculation cards aren’t compatible with the app.

Download the Transport Scot Pass Collect app on the App Store or Google Play to add free bus travel your existing card.

How to download the app

You can use the app with an Android (version 6 or later) or iOS (version 6 or later) phone that is connected to the internet by Wi-Fi or mobile connection.

The phone must have Near Field Communication (NFC) compatibility. This is the same function you use for mobile contactless payments and is usually available on newer smartphones.

To download the app you will need to either be connected to Wi-Fi, or have 3G, 4G or 5G network connection with good mobile signal.

How to use the app

The app is simple and easy to use – just follow the instructions to read your card and download your free bus travel.

Watch this video from Young Scot for a useful step-by-step guide on how to use the app.

Collecting free bus travel on your card

When you place your card at the back of your phone to download your free bus travel – in the same way you would use contactless payment – it’s important to make sure you hold it in the right place.

This is different depending on whether you have an Android or iOS phone. The correct place is usually at the top for iOS and in the middle for Android, as shown below.

Checking what is on your card

The app can also be used by anyone to ‘read’ an NEC or Young Scot NEC to see what smart travel concession products/entitlements are stored on the card.

There are a few different products which might come up when you read your card. For under 22s free bus travel, you should look for one or both of the following:

• Bus Pass (Y)
• Bus Pass (Y 16+)

If you do not see one or both of the above when you read your card, you don’t have free bus travel on your card. You may have other products stored on your card,  such as Bus ID (Y) which indicates this is a young person’s card – but it is not free bus travel.

If you’re eligible, you can use the app to collect free bus travel on to your card. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a new NEC with free bus travel.

Top tips and more information about the app

• The app is not personalised. This means you can use it to download someone else’s bus travel to their card – for example you could also help your friends download free bus travel onto their cards too – or use their app to download your own.
• The app doesn’t store any personal information. You can read the full app terms and conditions for more information.
• Please remember, only those aged 16 and over can download free bus travel on to an existing NEC or Young Scot NEC.

If you’ve successfully downloaded the app onto your phone but you’ve received an error message when using it, the message will provide details about what has gone wrong and tell you what to do next or who to contact. Check the error messages below to help.

It looks like you’re offline

Check you are connected to the internet. If you’re connected via mobile network, check you have a strong signal.

The NFC (Near Field Communication) is disabled

If you have NFC, you may need to switch this on in your settings. NFC is the same service used for mobile contactless payment – you can check online or with your phone provider to see if your phone has this.

Card read but nothing to collect

Only those aged 16-21 who have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC can use the app to download free bus travel on to an existing NEC or Young Scot NEC.

Check your card is active – this means it was received after 2016, it should have a long number next to the ITSO logo and if your date of birth is on it, it will be highlighted with a pink strip.

If you have already applied for a new card, this means your application has nearly finished being processed and your new card will be with you soon.

If your card is active, and you have not already applied for a new card, please contact us using the details below as there may be an issue with your card.

Uh oh! Something went wrong, or we are busy

This message appears when there are too many people trying to collect bus travel at the same time. Please try again in a few minutes.

Remember to hold your card very still at the back of your phone. It’s important to place the card in the correct position, which is different depending on whether you have an Android or iOS phone. This correct position is usually at the top for iOS and in the middle for Android.

Oops that didn’t work – looks like your card is full

This message appears if you have lots of other travel tickets on your card. Please try again and if it still doesn’t work, please contact us using the details below.

Oops that didn’t work – we’re having trouble reading your card

This message usually appears if you have accidentally moved your card when holding it to the phone. Try again, putting your card on a table and holding your phone above it to help keep it steady. If you have a cover on your phone, please try removing this as well.

If it doesn’t work again after doing this, get in touch with us using the details below in case there is something wrong with your card (please remember to check you are using an active NEC or Young Scot NEC first).

Oops that didn’t work – looks like your card is not supported by this app

This usually appears if you try and read a smartcard that is not an NEC or Young Scot NEC – for example, a Subway or ScotRail card.

There is no supported app for this NFC tag

This usually appears if you try and read a smartcard that is an old version of the NEC or Young Scot NEC. If you are aged 16-21 and receive this message, you will need to apply for a new card. Find out how to apply for a new card .

Oops that didn’t work – looks like your card is expired

This usually appears when your card is no longer valid and means you will need to apply for a new card. Find out how to apply for a new card .

Oops that didn’t work – looks like your card is blocked

This usually appears when your card has already been replaced by a newer version. Please find your most recent card and use this instead.

If you cannot find the newer version, you will need to apply for a new card. Find out how to apply for a new card .

Get in touch

If the information above and the Frequently Asked Questions page don’t answer any queries you have about the app, or if you have issues using it, please contact us.

Don’t forget you can always use someone else’s Pass Collect app to check your card and download your free bus travel, if your phone isn’t compatible.

Email:  [email protected]

Staying safe

There’s lots to think about as you travel on the bus. Read some top tips for travelling safely at freebus.scot

There are no COVID-19 rules or restrictions in Scotland. There are things you can do to stay well and protect others, read these and find out more about Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland.

Top tips for parents and guardians

Letting your young person use free nationwide bus travel may feel daunting. It’s a big responsibility and it can be difficult to know they’re safe. This is why we’re encouraging all parents and guardians to have conversations with their children about being safe and confident when travelling.

• It’s never easy to start a serious conversation, so try to make it relevant for you. It can be helpful to break up discussions into bite-sized chats over a period of time. That gives you both a bit of space to process what you’ve spoken about and avoids anyone feeling like they’ve been lectured.
• Have a chat about what they might expect to see while they are out, how to interact with the driver and other passengers, and how to use their card –especially if they are new to bus travel.
• Getting your child used to using bus from a young age can build their confidence and independence.

Driver training

We’ve been working closely with Barnardo’s Scotland to provide simple and clear guidance for bus drivers on protecting children and young people and keeping them safe from harm. This covers a huge range of issues and provides helpful advice for drivers on how to report issues if they arise.

Access the training for drivers .

Martin Crewe, Director for Barnardo’s Scotland said:

"Barnardo’s Scotland is proud to have worked with Transport Scotland to create a bespoke training package on child safeguarding for bus drivers across Scotland. Through training in general safeguarding and the signs of exploitation, we have helped to give bus drivers the confidence to recognise risks to young passengers’ safety and provided them with the knowledge of what to do and who to speak to if they have any concerns.”

Visit Barnardo’s Scotland for more information on their work and support.

Useful Contacts

Get help with applying or replacing your nec or young scot nec.

• Get help with GETYOURNEC.SCOT
• Get help with Young Scot
• Get help with parentsportal.scot

At your local council

Contact your local council

Some local councils may not be able to offer in-person applications at all times so please do check their website or call before setting off. Your local council will be able to advise you about their processing times.

Bus operators

If you have any questions about individual bus routes, services or journeys please contact the bus operator directly.

Get help with Transport Scotland’s Pass Collect app

For any questions about our app, or if you’re having any issues using the app, please contact:

Email:  [email protected] Address: Concessionary Travel and Smart and Integrated Ticketing, Transport Scotland, George House, 2nd Floor, 36 North Hanover Street, Glasgow, G1 2AD.

Enquiries about the free bus travel scheme

Transport Scotland is responsible for the policy and some aspects of the delivery of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme including the reimbursement of bus operators. The scheme is delivered through the National Entitlement Card (NEC). The Improvement Service is the accountable body for the NEC Scheme. It also operates and manages GETYOURNEC.SCOT  and parentsportal.scot .

The National Entitlement Card Programme Office supports the Scheme’s operational management and delivery under a Service Level Agreement with the Improvement Service. This includes support to all Scottish local authorities for the NEC application process, including for card issue, renewals and replacements. 

For general information on the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Travel Scheme, or if there's anything you're not sure about, please contact:

Concessionary Travel and Integrated Ticketing Unit

Transport Scotland, George House, 2nd Floor, 36 North Hanover Street, Glasgow, G1 2AD.

Email: [email protected]

Policy and legislation

Legislation was approved by the Scottish Parliament in March 2021 enabling the introduction of a new statutory scheme to allow 5-18 year olds resident in Scotland to access free bus travel through the National Entitlement Card (NEC) and the Young Scot branded NEC (Young Scot card).

Following a further commitment made by the Scottish Government, legislation to allow the scheme to be extended to include those aged under 22 was approved by the Scottish Parliament in autumn 2021.

Read more about the scheme legislation and Impact Assessments .

Terms and Conditions

National entitlement card (nec) and young scot national entitlement card (young scot nec) must be in good working order.

• You – and parent/ guardians of cardholders aged between 5-15 years old – must ensure that your NEC or Young Scot NEC is kept in a good condition and presented to the bus ticket machine or other transport ticketing equipment in good working order i.e. undamaged in any way.
• If your NEC or Young Scot NEC is damaged so that it cannot be scanned on the bus ticket machine (or other transport ticketing equipment) you will be required to pay the full fare for your journey. You – and parents/guardians of cardholders aged 5-15 years old - will have to ensure that the appropriate bus fare or other transport ticket can be paid in full by cash or other alternative payment methods.
• If your NEC or Young Scot NEC is damaged it is your responsibility (or parents/guardians of young people aged between 5-15 years old) to request a replacement card from your local authority to allow access to free bus travel and any other transport discounts.
• If you need a new or replacement NEC or Young Scot NEC then please see the advice above on how to a new card may be requested by using GETYOURNEC.SCOT , parentsportal.scot or by contacting your local council

NEC/Young Scot NEC – Not Transferable

• Those eligible to access the young persons’ free bus travel scheme will be provided with a NEC or Young Scot NEC that is unique to them. Please carry your card with you when you are travelling.
• Cards should be kept safe and must be used by the named cardholder only to access free bus travel.
• Cards must not be used by or given to any other person for their use.
• Transport operators may refuse free travel to anyone where the image on the card doesn’t match the person presenting it.
• Transport Scotland has a fraud policy and any person(s) found to be misusing any aspect of the scheme (including allowing a card to be used by someone else) may have their entitlement to free bus travel suspended. Incidents of misuse may also be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
• Cardholders (and parents/guardians of cardholders aged 5-15 years old) have a duty to report any changes of circumstances which may affect entitlement, including changes of address, to their local authority.

General Information

• Travel using a NEC or Young Scot NEC is subject to the normal regulations and conditions of carriage of each transport operator.
• Your card gives you the same rights as a full-fare paying passenger.
• The Young Scot NEC is part of the accredited proof of age card scheme PASS. This means that the Young Scot NEC can be used as proof of age.
• The photo on your card needs to be kept up to date to use it to prove your age for age restricted products or services. Your card must not be used by any other person.

Privacy Policy

This  Privacy Policy  outlines how we use, store and share the personal information we hold about you in connection with our national concessionary travel schemes.

App Terms and Conditions

Read the terms and conditions for the Transport Scot Pass Collect app .

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting your card, who can get free bus travel.

Every 5-21 year old living in Scotland for more than 6 months of the year can travel for free by bus if they have a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC).

If you are 5-15 years old, your parent or guardian must apply for you. If you are 16-21 years old, you must apply for your own NEC or Young Scot NEC.

Children under 5 years old do not need an NEC as they can already travel for free on buses.

How do I get free bus travel?

You will need a NEC or a Young Scot NEC. You will not be able to travel for free on the bus without one. If you already have a card, you will need to apply for a replacement which will allow free bus travel.

What will I need to get a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC?

You will need to provide proof of person (your name and age), proof of residence (where you usually live) and a photograph if you are 11 years old or over.

Parents, guardians or (in some cases) carers will need to provide proofs of person and address for both themselves and their child, as well as proof of the relationship.

The acceptable proofs you can provide for the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme whether applying online or through offline application routes allow:

• 'out of date' passports to be regarded as acceptable proof documents. The key criterion will be the physical likeness of the photo, with no timeframe restriction being applied to a passport expiry date
• a suitable proof of residency type document with either current date or dated within the last 12 months will be accepted.

Find out what documents you can use to provide proof on the  NEC website . If you are aged 5-15 years old, your parent/guardian/carer must apply for your NEC on your behalf. If you are aged 16-21 years old, you must apply by yourself.

Why do I need to provide proofs to apply for free bus travel?

We need to be able to check and verify who you are and whether you are eligible for the scheme, so we ask for proof of person (your name and age) and proof of residence (where you live).

For children aged 5-15 years old, we also need to carry out some extra checks for child safety reasons. We need to be able to verify who the person making the application is, the child is, and know that they are authorised to act on behalf of that child.

When doing this, we need to make sure we comply with identity verification standards and protocols, and with standards required by the UK National Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) . Young Scot NECs carry the PASS logo and can be used as proof of age.

I live in Scotland for part of the year. Can I still get free bus travel?

If you live in Scotland for most of the year (at least 6 months), then you are eligible.

I already have a disabled National Entitlement Card (NEC) for the Older and Disabled Scheme. Will I need a new card?

It is your choice. Some local council areas provide discounted travel on rail, tram or subway with a Disabled Persons’ NEC, but you are likely to have to renew that card more often. Currently, a Disabled Persons’ NEC is valid for up to three years. Further information can be found on our website.

However, if you have a Disabled Companion NEC, allowing a companion to travel for free with you, then you should not change to the new scheme. The new scheme does not allow anyone to travel with you for free.

My application’s been rejected. Why?

You should be told why your application has been rejected and given advice on how to submit a successful application. Check to see that your details are all correct and your photo meets all the requirements. If that doesn’t work, get in touch with your local council.

How long do I need to wait for my new National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC?

New or replacement cards generally arrive in the post within 10 working days from the date each application is approved.

If it has been more than 10 working days (2 calendar weeks) and you have not received your card remember, you can login to see the progress of your application or get in contact through getyournec.scot .

If you have applied for a Young Scot NEC through your school, the school can provide more information on when your card will be delivered.

My details aren’t right. What do I do?

Most cardholders can update their details at  getyournec.scot  or get in touch with your local council to have your details amended.

Why does my parent or guardian have to apply for a National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC on my behalf?

If you are 5-15 years old, then your parent or guardian must apply on your behalf. This will make sure they are aware that you get to travel for free by bus, so that they can ensure you are safe and well. If you are 16 years old and over, you must apply yourself.

I don’t want to throw away my old National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC. Can it be safely disposed of?

Yes it can. If you would like to  safely dispose your old card, you can send it to:

Transport Scotland George House 2nd Floor 36 North Hanover Street Glasgow, G1 2AD

Why do parents/guardians of 5 -15 year olds have to apply on their behalf?

If you are a parent or guardian of a 5-15 year old, then you must apply on their behalf. This will allow you to continue to exercise responsibility over their wellbeing and safety.

By applying on their behalf, you are agreeing for them to receive an NEC or Young Scot NEC that allows them to travel for free on any registered bus service in Scotland, as well as a limited number of local cross border services into northern England.

I am a parent, but my child doesn’t live with me. Can I apply on their behalf?

Your child can only have one National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC. You should decide which parent or guardian applies on their behalf.

Young people who are 16-21 years old must apply themselves. If your 16-21 year old needs additional support with their application, please contact your local council.

I don’t want my child to have free bus travel. How do I make sure that they don’t get it?

You should not apply for the free bus travel scheme. Also, a parent or guardian must apply on behalf of 5-15 year olds. If you are applying on behalf of your child for a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC, do not ‘opt in’ to the free bus travel entitlement. This will allow them to receive their card without access to free bus travel.

Once a young person is 16 years old and over, they can apply for their own NEC or Young Scot NEC and get access to free bus travel.

My child will soon be five. How soon can I apply?

You can apply for a National Entitlement Card from two weeks before your child’s fifth birthday.

Will my child’s school be arranging to help apply for cards, including getting parental approval?

Your local council will let you know if they are offering to place bulk orders for National Entitlement Cards (NEC) or Young Scot NECs in your area. These come in three types:

• a photoless NEC (primary school age)
• a Young Scot NEC (secondary school age).

My child is 16 (or older) and needs help to apply. Can a parent or guardian, do this on their behalf?

You should contact your local council if you need additional support with the application process.

I don’t read English. How do I apply for free bus travel for my child?

Please contact your local council to find out more and get support.

Should I get a Young Scot NEC or standard NEC?

If you are over 11 years old you can choose to apply for the Young Scot NEC or a standard NEC. If you choose a Young Scot NEC, you can use it to save money with in-person and online discounts – with over 500 discounts in Scotland and over 100,000 deals across Europe. It also acts as proof of age. What’s more, you can collect points by taking part in activities and exchanging these for Rewards. Find out more at  young.scot/card .

Is GETYOURNEC.SCOT new?

No, GETYOURNEC.SCOT has been available since July 2020. Thousands of people have already used it to apply for their NEC to access the Older and Disabled Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme or order a new or replacement Young Scot NEC. This has now been extended to enable people to apply online for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme.

Why do you use biometric scans during the online application process?

GETYOURNEC.SCOT checks proofs digitally during the application process. A face scan is used to make sure that the person submitting the application is the same person as on the identity proofs supplied. It’s a way of replicating the in-person application process. Biometric scans are only used when applying online, not when making in-person applications.

Can I save progress on my online application as I go along?

Yes, you can save and return to an incomplete application on getyournec.scot

Can you make the application process simpler?

We continually review the application process to make it as straightforward as we can. However, we must also make sure that we meet child safety requirements, and comply with identity verification standards, protocols and PASS standards.

We have made video guides to GETYOURNEC.SCOT which take you through the online application process step-by-step.

You can also ask for help if you run into problems when applying through GETYOURNEC.SCOT.

I can’t apply online, how do I get a card?

If you cannot apply online, there are other ways to apply provided by your local council, such as face-to-face, in-person applications or, in some cases, through schools. Please contact your local council for more information.

I don’t have a passport or driving licence. How do I apply?

If you don’t have proofs such as a passport or driving licence, you can apply directly to your local council.

There are other documents you can use as proof of person if you don’t have a passport, driving licence, Yoti account or birth/adoption certificate. A full list of acceptable documents is on the  NEC website .

Why do I need a new NEC/Young Scot NEC to get free bus travel?

Your new card will have the free travel entitlement digitally encoded.

All bus journeys made under the scheme must be recorded so that the Scottish Government can reimburse operators for the fare. Tapping your NEC or Young Scot NEC on the ticket machine each time you travel makes this possible.

This also helps keep card holders safe as once you’ve tapped, the driver knows that you are eligible for free bus travel. This is important if you are 5-15 years old as your parent, guardian or (in some cases) carer must approve you to travel for free by bus.

Will applications be prioritised based on who needs to make essential journeys?

All applications submitted will be processed and there is no prioritisation of one person’s application over another.

Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on staffing levels, some local councils may not be able to always offer in-person applications and applications may take longer to process. Please contact your local council to find out how you can apply before setting off.

If you have questions or concerns about the application process that cannot be answered on this website

For online, get in contact through getyournec.scot

For offline, please contact your local council .

How do I use my National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC on the bus?

In most cases, you place your card on the card reader machine next to the bus driver. Ask the driver if you have any questions.

What do I do if my National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC is not working?

For information on how to apply for a replacement card go to  getyournec.scot . You will need to pay any fares until the replacement arrives.

How much will it cost to get a replacement card?

Replacements are free of charge.

My friend has lost their National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC. Can they use mine?

No. It is only for you and you should not share it with anybody else.

If your card has a photo, then please keep it up to date, as the bus driver might not let you travel if you do not look like your photo. The photo on your Young Scot NEC also needs to be kept up to date to use it to prove your age for age restricted products or services.

You can update the photo for free.

Can my access to free bus travel be stopped?

Yes, if you misuse the free bus travel scheme (such as letting someone else use your card), then you might have free bus travel removed from your card.

Can I load my National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC on an app rather than carrying the card?

No, you must have your NEC or Young Scot NEC with you if you want to travel for free.

Where can I go under the free bus travel scheme?

You can travel Scotland wide on local and long distance bus services, apart from a few exceptions such as premium-fare night buses, city sightseeing buses, and some airport transfer services. Check with your bus operator if in doubt.

If you are travelling to England, you will be able to travel to Carlisle or Berwick-Upon-Tweed, but it cannot be used to travel within these towns.

Does my National Entitlement Card (NEC) allow me discounts or free travel on rail, tram, subway or ferry?

The free travel scheme is for bus only. However, there may be other discounts available.

More information on concessionary travel

Do children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to access free bus travel?

No. However, if you are in any doubt check with the bus operator before travelling. All bus operators have conditions of carriage which set out who can travel on their services and they may require younger children to be accompanied.

If you have problems using the card once you are on the bus

Contact  [email protected]

If you have a question about Young Scot services, contact  [email protected]

What are the terms and conditions for my National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC?

You must ensure that your card is in good condition and presented to the bus ticket machine or other transport ticketing equipment in good working order (e.g. it’s not damaged).

Full terms and conditions

What measures are being taken to support children to travel safely?

We are undertaking an awareness campaign with partners to support children, young people, parents and guardians, and bus operators.

We have been working closely with Barnardo’s Scotland on how to safeguard young people travelling on the bus network, including providing training material for bus drivers. This will help drivers to recognise and respond to children or young people who need support while travelling on the bus network and help ensure that they can travel safely.

More information on staying safe

Transport Scot Pass Collect app

I’ve already applied for a new nec or young scot nec but it hasn’t arrived yet. can i use the app.

If you’ve already applied for a new card, depending on where you are in the application process, you may be able to download free bus travel onto your current card so you can use it until your new card is issued.

However this will only work temporarily until your application is processed. This is because when your new card is issued, your old card will automatically be set to stop working. You can then recycle or dispose of your old card.

If you’ve applied for a new card and your application has now been processed but you’ve not received it yet (for example, it is in the post), then you may not have free bus travel available to download via the app. But don’t worry – this means your new card is coming.

If you have applied on getyourNEC.scot , you can log back in to check the status of your application.

What if my application for a new card has been approved and a new card is sent to me, after I have already used the app to get free bus on my existing card - will both work?

When your new card is issued, your old card will automatically be set to stop working and you can recycle or dispose of it.

If you would like to safely dispose your old card, you can send it to:

Why can’t there be an app instead of a card we can use on the bus – it would be much easier?

We recognise that there is an interest in an app based travel solution. Unfortunately, the compatible technology is not yet available to provide an app for concessionary travel, but we continue to monitor technology advancements in this area.

Why can’t Young Scot cardholders under 16 use the app?

For young people aged 5-15, a parent, guardian or carer must apply on for free bus travel on their behalf. This is to make sure the parent, guardian or carer knows that the young person is able to travel for free by bus, and can ensure their child is safe and well.

During the application process, it is important to verify who the person making the application is, who the child is, and know that the person making the application is authorised to act on behalf of that child.

As the app cannot store personal data, this information cannot be captured or verified. This means that for anyone aged 5-15, parents, guardians or carers will need to apply for a new card either online or through their local council.

I am turning 16 next week/soon – can I use the app?

Yes, the system will be updated regularly so that free travel will be available to collect on your 16th birthday. Remember that this only applies if your existing application has not been processed.

Can I use someone else’s card to collect my free bus travel?

No – your card is unique to you. To download your free bus travel you must use your own card.

Can I use someone else’s Transport Scot Pass Collect app to download my free bus travel?

Yes – the app will check your card with the details held on the system and will download the free bus travel for you, via anyone’s Transport Scot Pass Collect app.

Can my friend/child download their free bus travel using my phone?

Yes. The app will check their card details with the system and download the bus travel for them. You can only download the free bus travel for the intended person onto their card – you cannot download it onto your card, for example.

I couldn’t download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store. What should I do?

Check your smart phone is connected to the internet with good signal and you have space on your mobile device to download the app.

If you still cannot download the app your phone may not be compatible – it needs to be Android (version 6 or newer) or iOS (version 6 or newer) and have Near Field Communication (NFC) compatibility - the same function you use for contactless payment with your phone.

If you still don’t have access to the app, you can use someone else’s Transport Scot Pass Collect app to download free bus travel onto your card.

What if I have other tickets or money already loaded on my NEC or Young Scot NEC card?

The app will ignore these and download free bus travel onto the card as well.

In the unlikely event that your card is full (for example, you have lots of other travel products/entitlements already stored on your card) the app will tell you and you may need to remove some of the old tickets to free up space. You can do this by presenting your card to the relevant operators’ ticket or gate machine and it will clear them for you automatically, freeing up room for your bus pass.

Is any personal data held on the app?

• There is no data, personal or other, held or stored on the app.
• View the app terms and conditions .

How much data space does it take?

The app doesn’t take up too much space or take long to download. It’s around 100mb on Android and only 30mb on Apple - but you do need a good signal to download it (3G + or stronger).

School bus driver had preliminary BAC of .133 while waiting to pick up students, police say

GREENUP COUNTY, Ky. ( WSAZ /Gray News) – A school bus driver in Kentucky was charged Tuesday with public intoxication while she was waiting to take students home.

According to a citation issued by the Flatwoods Police Department, Lisa Nichols, 57, was waiting for Greenup County students at an event.

A staff member alerted police, and Nichols admitted to drinking during dinner at a local restaurant.

Officers said the bus driver failed a preliminary breath test with results of .133 and showed signs of being intoxicated.

Flatwoods Police charged Nichols with alcohol intoxication in a public place.

According to Greenup County Schools Superintendent Traysea Moresea, no students were ever on the school bus with Nichols after she was found to be drinking.

School administrators ensured all bus routes were covered.

Nichols is no longer employed by Greenup County Schools.

“Our number one goal is safety and we do not take reports lightly. We cannot and will not comment on the incident beyond the facts. At no point did students interact with the driver while they were impaired, and they did not ride with the driver while impaired. Thanks to the alertness of others, a scary situation had a safe ending. Please do not let this incident overshadow all the amazing drivers and staff members who serve at Greenup County Schools,” Moresea said in a statement.

Copyright 2024 WSAZ via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Driver charged in death of woman who fell off car’s hood, police say

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. ( WHSV /Gray News) - One person died as a result of a crash that occurred Tuesday morning in Virginia.

According to Virginia State Police, a Hyundai Elantra was traveling east on Bryant Hollow Road in Rockingham County at around 9:30 a.m. with a person on the hood of the car.

As the car went down a hill, 34-year-old Dymond Thacker, of Broadway, fell off the hood and was hit by the vehicle, crash investigators said.

Thacker died at the scene.

The driver, 66-year-old Debra Elliot, of Elkton, and a second passenger were not injured in the crash.

Elliott was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter while under the influence, possession of narcotics and driving without a license, according to Middle River Regional Jail records. She is being held without bond.

The crash remains under investigation.

Copyright 2024 WHSV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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