west midlands travel class pass

How do I apply for a free travel pass?

10 jul 2023 • knowledge, information, article details, was this article helpful.

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Unlimited travel across the West Midlands

Wherever you're going while you're at uni, we can get you there on our buses , all you need to do is pick the best student bus pass for your needs and away you go. 

You can use your ticket at any time including evenings, weekends & holidays.

Unlimited travel on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

Buy online only

Unlimited student travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on  all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

For full time students 18* years old and over who are studying a minimum of 12 hours per week. *or 16-18 year olds not eligible for the 16-18 photocard.

After a student ticket has been bought we will email you to request proof of your studies.

Failure to provide this may result in your student ticket being withdrawn.

This pass holds a minimum term of 9 months and payments will automatically be deducted on a monthly basis providing you with continuous travel.

Buy on our mTicket app or online

Unlimited adult travel for 28 days from your chosen date  on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

1 term - Winter term

Unlimited student travel including weekends and holidays on all bus operators within the nBus zone and on all National Express buses.

Bus & metro - travel on bus and metro

Unlimited travel on all National Express buses, within the West Midlands unlimited zone, and the West Midlands Metro tram.

Unlimited student travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram.

After a student ticket has been bought we will email you to request proof of your studies. Failure to provide this may result in your student ticket being withdrawn.

4 week bus + Metro tram

Unlimited student travel for 28 days from your chosen start date on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram.

Unlimited student travel including weekends and holidays on all National Express buses and the West Midlands Metro tram.

nNetwork - travel on bus and rail

Unlimited travel on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 to 2 or 1 to 5 . 

Zones 1 to 2

Unlimited student travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone and train travel within  zones 1 to 2 .

Unlimited student travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone and train travel within zones 1 to 2 .

Unlimited student travel including weekends and holidays on all National Express buses and any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone and train travel within zones 1 to 2 .

Unlimited student travel paid for by Direct Debit each month from your chosen date on all on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 to 5 .

Unlimited student travel for 28 days from your chosen date on all National Express buses, any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 to 5 .

Unlimited student travel including weekends and holidays on all National Express buses and any other operator part of the nBus scheme within the West Midlands nBus zone, the West Midlands Metro tram and train travel within zones 1 to 5 .

Ticket information

You will be required to provide proof of being in full time education (over 12 hours per week) within 10 days of placing your order.

Term dates:

​Term 1: 18/08/2023 - 31/12/2023 Term 2: 15/12/2023 - 29/03/2024 Term 3: 22/03/2024 - 19/07/2024

For any other help please visit our Student FAQ's section .

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Passenger descriptions

Our passenger descriptions are designed to help you choose the right ticket for yourself or your fellow travellers.

Adult fares are applicable to all passengers aged 2+. Adults under the age of 16 are not permitted to travel alone on any European service unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over or they have a letter of authority from a parent or guardian.

Infants 0-1 Inclusive

Children aged under the age of 2, must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Unaccompanied children will not be carried.

It's so easy to get a ticket!

Tickets are available to buy on the My Metro App , on board the tram using contactless or cash (exact change please) or on a Swift Pay As You Go card.

Download the MyMetro App!

Tickets by Zone

Select from/to locations to find tickets

View Zone Map

Metro Ticket Zones is LIVE!

The Metro network has been split into four zones (1-4). The new ticket range will see the majority of journeys either reduced in price or with no additional cost for customers.

Ticket questions

Metro ticket zones is the name of our ticketing range. To travel on our network, we have a zone-based ticketing system. By using this zone-based ticketing system this gives our customers the opportunity to purchase a ticket within their chosen zone, without the need to specify which stops they are travelling between which allows for greater flexibility in their travel plans.

No, it was recognised that the kinds of journeys that people make by tram are different from those made by train. This means that by adopting the same zonal boundaries as rail, we are not be able to offer the flexibility and value that has been built into our zonal ticket range.

The Metro Ticket Zones Map provides the full details of how the network has been split into four zones and can be used to check which zone your stop is in, and which ticket type you will need to complete your journey.

Where a stop has two zones, this is called a border stop. There are three border stops and these are shown on the Metro Ticket Zones Map with the stop name in a white box. If you are starting or ending your journey at a border stop, you will not be charged for both zones. The zone that you pay for will depend on your direction of travel.

There are three stops (Jewellery Quarter, Black Lake and Priestfield) that are on the border of two zones, which means these stops are in two fare zones. This can be seen on the Metro Ticket Zones Map with the stop name in a white box.

If you are starting or ending your journey at a border stop then your zone will depend on the direction of travel. For example, Jewellery Quarter is on the border of Zone 1 and 2. Therefore, if you travel from Jewellery Quarter to a stop in Zone 1, you should treat Jewellery Quarter as a stop in Zone 1. If you travel to Zone 2 and beyond, you should treat Jewellery Quarter as a stop in Zone 2.

The range of tickets available to purchase are simplified to ensure that you have the correct ticket for your journey and to ensure that customers receive the best value for their travel needs.

Tickets range from a single (one way) to unlimited journeys all day, in a variety of zonal combinations, giving customers even more flexibility. Our popular season tickets also include zonal options, delivering a saving for many customers on their frequent journeys. Children enjoy a 50% discount on the adult ticket price.

The fare table sets out all of the ticketing options. Please check to see which ticket will be best for your travel needs.

Tickets are available to purchase from our conductors onboard the tram, using the MyMetro app, or via Swift. Metro ticket zones will also be available to buy at Payzone outlets.

Metro Ticket Zones is now available to purchase on Payzone systems.

Please visit Payzone or call our ticketing team on 0345 835 8181 for information about alternative ways that you can buy a zonal ticket and ensure that you are receiving the best value for your journey with Metro -during the short period between the new zonal fares going live and the upgrade being completed for Payzone outlets.

Yes, our Metro only passes and season tickets offer great value as customers are able to pay for their travel in advance, only in the areas of the network that they need to use.

Metro Ticket Zones fares are currently only available for Metro-only products. 

Please call our ticketing team on 0345 835 8181 for more information about the zonal combinations that are available for Direct Debit customers. They will be happy to check that you are using the best value product for the journeys that you make and will arrange for any changes to be made to your account.

All Tickets

Adult - metro only.

Unlimited tram travel within the Metro travel zones purchased.

Child - Metro only

Family - metro only, concessions.

Time to get on and mingle As a pensioner of state age, you are entitled to an Older Person’s Free Travel Pass anywhere in England during 'off-peak' times - between 9.30 am until the last service of the day Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays. 

Note only passes issued by WMCA gives you free access to Metro travel.

Additional benefits West Midlands residents are also entitled to free travel during the above times, as well as extended travel beyond off-peak hours. To renew or apply for an Older Person's Free Travel Pass please click here.

Adult NX+Metro

NX + Metro - unlimited  National Express bus and tram travel.  *NX - t ravel on any National Express bus within the West Midlands travel zones.

Child - NX+Metro

Adult - nbus+metro.

nbus + Metro - unlimited bus and tram travel.  *nbus - t ravel on any bus within the West Midlands travel zones.

Child - nbus+Metro

Adult - nnetwork.

nNetwork  - unlimited bus, train and tram travel within the West Midlands travel zones.

Child - nnetwork Tickets

Family - nnetwork tickets.

Customer services

• 0345 835 8181
• [email protected]

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Get a disabled person's pass.

If you’re disabled, you might be able to get a free bus pass for travel anywhere in England.

The pass lets you travel for free during off-peak times:

• between 9.30am and 11pm, Monday to Friday
• all day at weekends and on public holidays

If you live in the West Midlands, you can use your pass on the buses from 9.30am until 11.59pm. You can also get free travel on:

• trains in the Blue Zone from 9.30am to 11.59pm
• trams from 9.30am until the last service of the day

If you do not live in the West Midlands, contact your local authority to apply.

If you want to travel before 9.30am, you can get a £1.50 single fare on National Express West Midlands buses. Show your travel pass to the driver and ask for a £1.50 single ticket.

If you often travel before 9.30 am, you can get a pre-9:30 add-on ticket. Use our ticket finder to find pre-9.30 add-on tickets .

If you’re under 18 and have a disabled travel pass, you’ll get a pre-9.30 top-up loaded onto your pass. This happens automatically - you do not need to do anything. The top-up lets you use your pass on the bus before 9.30 am in term time.

You can also use your travel pass as a pay-as-you-go card. This means you can use it to pay for the following:

• travel before 9.30 am

To use your travel pass as a pay-as-you-go card, you need to either:

• register your card online

Check if you're eligible

You can get a disabled person's travel pass if you:

• have an eligible disability that's expected to last at least 12 months
• are aged 5 or over

You may be eligible if you:

• are registered blind or partially sighted
• are severely or profoundly deaf in both ears
• cannot talk
• cannot walk easily
• cannot use both arms
• have a learning disability
• have a medical condition that means you can't get a UK driving licence

You’ll need to include proof of your disability when you apply. The application form explains how to do this.

You can get a West Midlands disabled person's travel pass if you live in the West Midlands. You must live at a property where council tax is paid to one of these councils:

• Wolverhampton

Read more about how we check if you're eligible .

Apply for a disabled person's travel pass

You can apply for a disabled person's pass online .

It's the fastest way to apply and only takes around 15 minutes. You'll need to upload copies of evidence that supports your disability. We'll guide you and let you know what you need to provide for your disability.

You can also apply with a paper form:

1. Download one of these application forms:

• Disabled person's travel pass application form
• Disabled person's travel pass application form - large print
• Disabled person's travel pass application form - easy read

2. Fill in the form.

3. Send the application and supporting evidence to the address on the form.

Renewing your travel pass

We’ll write to you around 3 months before your pass expires. Depending on your disability, your pass might be automatically renewed. Or you might have to apply again. Your letter will tell you what to do.

Update the details on your travel pass

You can update your personal details online if your name or address changes.

You can update your photo by email or by post. Send your new photo to Customer Services.

You'll need to send us:

• a new, passport-style colour photo
• your full name and address
• the 16-digit number on the front of your travel pass

Customer Services - Ticketing Transport for West Midlands 16 Summer Lane Birmingham B19 3SD

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