is bus travel free for 16 year olds

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Education and learning
School admissions and transport to school

Subsidised transport for 16 to 19 year olds in education

Your local council has information on the services, discounts and concessions available in your area for travel to school sixth form or college.

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What you need to know

Available in England and Wales only

You can get free advice from the National Careers Service on funding for costs related to your education, including transport.

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Children Traveling

We look after our younger travelers and for the safety of all kids who ride with us, we have a few important rules…

Things you need to know:

Children age 15 and under must be accompanied on the same bus by a parent, legal guardian, or another passenger at least 16 years old.
Any traveler, regardless of age, occupying a seat must pay the applicable adult fare.
Travelers age 16 and up qualify as an adult when traveling.
Traveling to/from Canada or Mexico with children – take a look at special details for international travel.

Children ages 2 and under

One child less than 2 years old may travel as a lap child, meaning not occupying a seat, may travel at no additional charge. Infants occupying a seat pay the applicable adult fare.

Child safety belts and seating options

Many of our buses have seat belts that can accommodate standard child car seats. You may use these with your own car seat if it can be attached using a seat belt, has been approved for use in a motor vehicle, and is used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Policies also apply when traveling on FlixBus operators.

Traveling with your entire family can get expensive. The good news is that most US bus companies have special discounts for children, and in some cases, they may even travel for free! Wondering what the fees, baggage allowances, and regulations are? We’ve got you covered.

Can I bring my child’s stroller on the bus? Yes. All providers allow one stroller per person. Also, it needs to be folded and placed in the underneath compartment (some carriers may charge a small fee).

How do I know if my child can ride for free or at a reduced rate? If you have small children below the age of two, they may travel for free or at a discounted price. One child per adult is allowed to travel on their lap and not pay a fare. Any additional child pays either the full fee or gets a child discount. Exception: RedCoach, where children don’t travel for free but get a discount until age seven.

Can my child travel alone? Children can travel unaccompanied by an adult as of eight years old with Greyhound, Peter Pan, and Jefferson Lines (note that fees may apply for unaccompanied children). With most other providers, no unaccompanied travel is allowed below the age of age 15. Also, the person accompanying a minor must be at least 15 years old.

What is the cost of baggage liability for children? Baggage liability for a child’s fare is $125.

If you have any questions, we’d be thrilled to help you! Contact us at + 1-888-988-5185, and we’ll do our best to find a solution for your travel plans.

Search and book your bus tickets to and from the United States directly on Busbud.com

My son is 17 and would to travel to jeffreys bay, eastern cape. Can he travel on his own? Also when I book the bus ticket do I click on adult or child booking?

17 years old! Some ages are not safe for travel. You should reconsider this issue with your child.

In a travel from seattle international Airport to Vancouver bc, can I take off the bus at the border and stay there and not continue to Vancouver? My wife will pick me up at the border.

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Bus People Stories – Pennie’s Story

Bus people stories – j’lisa’s story, bus people stories – jaime’s story, bus people stories – riikka’s story, bus people stories series- hadjamar & julia bus story.

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).

Moscow transport: metro, bus & taxi in Moscow | How does it work?

June 21, 2024

Moscow transport: how does it work? Here we summarized all you need to know about Moscow city public transport (bus, metro, card Troika), but also taxi in Moscow.

Distances in Moscow: walking in Moscow

Walking. The geolocation of your accommodation in Moscow is important, because the distances are great. You’re definitely not going to be able to do it all on foot. Moscow is the largest city in Europe with more than 12 million intramural inhabitants. Besides, Moscow is made for giants, because everything is big: the avenues, the buildings, the metro stations! So, the place of your accommodation is very important. You can check our blog post: Where to stay in Moscow?

Good to know! We have written 2 other blog posts that could be helpful: Maps of Moscow and Moscow Airport Transfer.

Public transport in Moscow: prices and how does it work?

Even if you are going to be able to visit many interesting places around Red Square (see the article: Moscow Red Square ), you will certainly take the metro to get around, but also to see the most beautiful stations . Furthermore, among public transport the metro remains the fastest solution in Moscow.

Good to know! Public transport is free for children under the age of 7. More specifically, 1 adult may not purchase a ticket for 1 child under the age of 7. If you are 2 adults, it is therefore for 2 children that the trips will be free.

Tips for Moscow city transport

Here are my tips to make travel more pleasant and optimized:

Avoid to take Moscow City transport during rush hours. Especially for ground transportation (lots of traffic jams). You will lose a lot of time, especially for city center trips by land transport. Peak hours correspond to office hours: the standard working day begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m.
Use a mobile application to estimate your journey time as accurately as possible. In Europe, as in Russia, we use CityMapper . It is a free application that allows you to calculate your trips and see all the possibilities to get from one place to another. For the application to work, you must have an Internet connection: either through your French package which can prove to be expensive; either by wifi, in your hotel, in a cafe (very common in Moscow) or by using the free Wi-Fi of the city of Moscow! To download CityMapper on your mobile, just type its name in AppStore or GooglePlay . Then choose the city where you want to use it.
Buy a transportation card. If you plan to take public transport several times a day or if you come to Moscow for a university or work exchange, it is more economical to take a transport card. I talk about it later in the article.
Further info about airport transfer here: How to get from airport to Moscow?

Moscow metro: the fastest way to get around Moscow

Beautiful! The Moscow Metro is considered the most beautiful in the world! You can find out which stations are worth a visit in my article: The most beautiful stations in Moscow .

Metro timetables. Times vary by station, but approximately the Moscow Metro is open from 5.30 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Below you can find a map of the Moscow metro, with an example of a metro station. You can find other Moscow maps here .

Metro prices in Moscow

A single trip = 57 rubles (from February 1, 2020)
Price for transporting a suitcase in the metro = 60 rubles
With a transport card , the price of the journey decreases. Example: with the Troika card the price per trip increases to 40 rubles. More details about troika card below.
You can also pay with ApplePay or GooglePay.

Where to buy metro tickets?

At the cash desks , where you can buy everything: transport card or one-way tickets. Small flat: most of the time, the employees of the metro do not speak English very well. But they are used to it, you will be able to understand each other.
At the English terminals , where you can also buy everything. See below for more details on terminal purchases.

Bus, trolleybus, tram in Moscow

Avoid at peak hours. The city center can be literally blocked! Mobile applications are very useful to estimate travel times.

Tram. Trams are very nice to do. It’s a bit special. Tram stops are hard on the road. The cars then stop and let the pedestrians get on or off the tram.

Price of a bus, trolleybus or tram ticket

One way = 57 rubles (from February 1, 2020)
With a transport card , the price drops. Example: with the Troika card the price per trip increases to 40 rubles. More details about transport cards below.

Where to buy bus, trolleybus or tram tickets?

To drivers. There are no controllers on each bus, as in St. Petersburg.

By purchasing a transport card in advance at a metro station. There are few terminals installed near bus, tram or trolley stations.

Good to know! It is possible to pay on the metro, but also on buses with your smartphone or a contactless card (Apple Pay or Google Pay)! The price is 44 rubles per way. Beware, however, of bank charges, as for other ruble payments in Russia. See article: How to pay in Russia?

Transport cards in Moscow

Two most interesting solutions for taking Moscow City transport:

Troika card prices

1 metro, bus, trolley bus or tram journey: 40 rubles (instead of 57)
90 minutes in public transport (regardless of the number of changes): 62 rubles

How to buy a Troika card?

Cost of purchase : 50 rubles. You can get it at all metro stations.
Refill . Once the card is purchased, you must reload it. You can choose the amount freely.
Where? It is possible to buy the card and recharge it at the metro cash desks or via automatic terminals, in cash or by bank card.

The Troika card is interesting if you:

want to take advantage of lower transportation rates.
stay in Moscow for a long time (language stays, expatriation, VIE, university exchange), but do not go for frequent daily trips.
don’t stay long, but you know roughly how many trips you’re going to make or you don’t mind reloading the card often. Why? It is possible, but long and complicated to recover the initial amount of 50 rubles, as well as the rest on the card.

How much does the unlimited Yediny card (central Moscow area) cost?

1 day = 24 hours = 230 rubles
3 days = 438 rubles
30 days = 2170 rubles
There are no unlimited cards for 2, 4, 5, 6 or 7 days.

More details: Moscow transport website

How to buy a Yediny card?

It is possible to buy the card and recharge it at the metro cash desks or via automatic terminals, in cash or by bank card. The card is activated (the countdown starts) at the time of validation and not at the time of purchase. The card must be activated within 10 days of purchase (day of purchase included).

Here are the pictures of the automatic terminal (in English), when buying a Yédiny card.

The Yediny card is interesting if you:

stay in Moscow for a long time (language stays, expatriation, university exchange), but make frequent daily trips.
do not stay in Moscow for a long time, but do not want to estimate your trips in advance (Troika card) while enjoying the unlimited.

Our experience with transport cards in Moscow

When I was working in Moscow, I used the Troika card. It was the most economical solution for me. We also used it later when we both went there. On the other hand, the last time we were there, we took the Yediny card and finally we found it more practical, even if it turned out to be less economical in the end.

Our verdict (compared to our travel habits): budget side, the Troika card is better. But for less headache (how much to put on the card? How much is left?…), The unlimited Yediny card is more practical.

Boat trips in Moscow

There are several boat trips on the Moskva River. In addition, it is even possible to buy an unlimited day ticket. For more information, you can then consult the article: Take a boat trip on the Moskva River.

Getting around in Moscow by taxi

There are several types of taxis in Moscow:

First, official taxis (sign on the roof);
Then individuals who do this out of the blue;
And finally Moscow taxis via mobile applications (private drivers or taxi agencies).

Good to know. The cost of a taxi ride to the city center in Moscow is around 500 rubles. If you want to avoid negotiations, use the taxi apps in Moscow.

Uber Moscow: NO.

It works before, but not anymore, because Uber does not use the classic app in Russia (they have created a special app for Russia, only this app works now). So, you have to download the special Uber Russia app… but this application is only available on the Russian AppStore, so it cannot be downloaded for us. Uber’s competitors in Russia such as YandexTaxi or Gett can be used.

Use the YandexTaxi app to take a taxi in Moscow

The Yandex company is the Russian Google. Initially a search engine, it also offers several services. YandexTaxi is then the taxi service in Moscow, it works everywhere in Russia. You can download the app from the AppStore or GooglePlay . Thanks to this application, it is possible to pay the taxi in cash (by default) or by bank card directly (to be specified in the application). If you are thinking of paying in cash, then have rather small denominations so that the driver can give you change. The application is now in French.

How does YandexTaxi work?

First, it detects your geolocation.
Then you indicate your arrival position using the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet.
It then offers you the estimated prices for each range (thrifty, business, etc.).
You choose, confirm and wait for the driver to arrive.
You identify the driver with the indicated license plate, then at the end YandexTaxi collects the race via your bank card (do not forget to put your card info before using the app, otherwise pay in cash).

Other solution. You can also book a taxi in advance on KiwiTaxi website . It’s easy!

Public transport and taxi in Moscow: summary

Getting around Moscow is quite simple, as Moscow City transport is well developed. However, because of traffic jams, the metro is the quickest solution. It isn’t an issue, because the Moscow metro is very clean and beautiful. Taxis are rather cheap and easy to find thanks to mobile applications like, for example, YandexTaxi.

Moscow travel tips:

Bolshoi Theater: how to buy tickets?
Where to eat in Moscow?
Where to stay in Moscow?
How to get from airport to Moscow?

Top places to see in Moscow:

What to visit in Kremlin?
Red Square Moscow: everything you need to know
Saint Basil’s Cathedral: tickets & what to see inside?

Visiting the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood | Tickets & other tips

Moscow metro stations: most beautiful ones & how to use Moscow metro

September 13, 2023

Moscow airport transfer: how to get from airport to Moscow?

December 6, 2023

Moscow in winter | What to do in Moscow in winter? How to dress?

October 1, 2023

Trains from Moscow to St Petersburg | Tickets, time, how does it work?

Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow | Tickets & things to visit inside

March 7, 2024

Novodevichy Convent and cemetery in Moscow: tickets, cemetery map

August 26, 2023

Travelling in London with kids

When planning a family trip to London, one of the things we need to think about is how we are going to get around London. And in particular, how travelling in London with kids works.

You are probably asking yourself what fares children have to pay on London´s public transport. And you may even need to know how to use London´s public transport with a buggy.

Travelling in London with kids: Fares and transport passes

When travelling in London with kids, it is important to know the different child fares on London´s transport network depending on their age. There are transport passes for children, valid for London´s underground network, buses, DLR, overground and trains within London travel zones .

Children under 11 years of age

Children aged under 11 travel free on London´s buses and trams, at any time, and do not need a ticket. They also travel free on London Underground, DLR (docklands light railway), overground and Tfl rail. They don´t need a ticket as long as a paying adult accompanies them.

Up to 4 children can travel for free with an adult with a valid ticket. When entering the London underground with a child (or more) under 11, it is advisable to use the larger access doors. These doors are wider and don´t close as fast as individual doors. They are designed for people travelling in London with kids, luggage or for disabled people.

Children 11 – 16 years of age

Children between the ages of 11 and under 16 can travel at a reduced rate on London´s public transport. Understanding what tickets are more suitable can be a bit complicated, as there are several options. For this reason, I am going to summarise the different options below. Hopefully, you will be able to decide which option is more suitable for you if you are travelling in London with kids.

Children from 11 to 16 years old can also travel with an adult oyster card or travel card if necessary. In this case, they will not benefit from reduced rates on travel.

Option 1: Oyster card with Young Visitor Discount

This is the best option if you are planning a family trip to London. An oyster card with a young visitor discount will apply half adult rates for 14 days. After 14 days, this discount will expire, and the oyster card will charge full adult rates again. The oyster card can also be returned at the end of your trip, just like a normal oyster card .

All you have to do is buy an Oyster Card or a Visitor Oyster Card, either online or at an underground station, and then ask a staff member to set the Young Visitor Discount. This discount can be applied at any underground station in London, including the underground station at Heathrow Airport .

An adult will need to give their personal details to register the oyster card before the discount can be applied, and you might be asked to confirm the child´s age. You and your child will need to be together when asking for the Young Visitor Discount to be set onto an oyster card, and an adult can request the young visitor discount to be set for up to 4 children (on separate oyster cards).

Option 2: Zip Oyster Photocard

The zip oyster photocard will entitle children up to 16 years of age to reduced fares on the underground and overground and other TFL services, as well as free travel on trams and buses. The zip oyster photocard is normally the best option for children that live in London, as the process to get an oyster photocard for a child can take some time and there is an initial registration fee of up to £20 – so this is normally not the best option for tourists.

To get a zip oyster photocard if you live in London, all you need to do is fill in a form that you’ll find at your local Post Office and return it to the Post Office. You will also need to include a passport-sized photo and a copy of the birth certificate or passport and pay the fee. You should get the zip oyster photocard in 2 weeks.
If you are a UK resident, you will need to do the process online on TFL’s website, and you should get the zip oyster photocard within 4 weeks.
If you live outside the UK you will need to do the process online on TFL’s website. When applying, you will need to choose which London Visitor Centre (Liverpool Street Station, Victoria Station, Euston, Gatwick, King’s Cross station) you want to collect the zip oyster photocard from, as it will not be sent to your home address. You need to apply at least 3 weeks in advance but can apply up to three months in advance.

Option 3: 1 Day Child Travelcard

A one-day child travelcard will allow unlimited travel at any time of the day on any form of public transport in London for the chosen London Travel Zones . No ID is needed to purchase this one-day child travelcard, but fares using an oyster card with a young visitor discount are normally cheaper. If you are visiting London for several days and choose this option, you will have to buy a one-day child travelcard for each day, and this will work out a lot more expensive than using an oyster card with a young visitor discount.

Option 4: 7 Day Child Travelcard

To buy a 7-day child travelcard in London there are 3 options: 1 – By adding a weekly travelcard into a zip oyster photocard. This is undoubtedly the most complicated option, as you need to request a zip card oyster photocard first and then add the 7-day travelcard onto it. 2 – Buy a 7-day child travelcard online . This is probably the easiest way of getting one, as you don’t need a zip oyster photocard, and they’ll send it to your home address before you travel. 3 – Buy a 7-day child travelcard at a national railway ticket office (not an underground station).

16 – 18 years old

People aged 16 to 18 can also apply for a 16 – 18 zip oyster photocard, which will apply half adult rates on any form of public transport in London. Travelcards at a reduced price can also be added onto zip oyster photocards.

You don’t need to live in London to be able to apply for a zip card, but there is a processing fee which makes it hard to justify if you’re just visiting London for a few days. In this case, I’d recommend using a normal oyster card (adult rates) for anyone over 16.

For more information about travelling in London kids visit: Transport for London

Travelling in London with kids: Travelling to Central London from the airport

Stansted , Luton and Gatwick airports are all located outside London’s Travel Zones , so fares when travelling with kids too and from these airports are different to fares when travelling in London with kids, so under 11 years old’s will need a ticket.

An oyster card is valid for travel into Central London from Gatwick Airport, but children under 11 also need a train ticket to get to central London from Gatwick Airport, even if they are accompanied by an adult.

Heathrow and London City Airports are both inside London Travel Zones , so fares are as explained above. Children under 11 travel free, and Children under 16 can travel with an oyster card with a young visitor discount.

⇒ More information: London Airport Transfers

Travelling in London with a buggy

One of the things we need to think about if we are going to be travelling in London with kids is if we are going to need to travel around London with a buggy. If you are planning a trip with a baby, it may be that you wish to bring your buggy to London, or if you have older children, you will probably need to use a stroller if you are planning on spending the whole day walking around London.

When you first become a parent in London, using public transport with a buggy isn´t easy at first. Still, you eventually learn how to get around and quickly learn how to read London´s accessibility maps and find the best routes. The truth is that travelling in London with a buggy can be very easy if you know which route is best, or it can be a complete nightmare if you have to go up or down 300 steps when there are no lifts.

This is why we are going to explain how to travel on London´s public transport with a buggy.

Travelling on London´s buses with a buggy

Public buses in London have a dedicated wheelchair and buggy space as well as easy street-level access, and travelling by bus with a buggy normally is the easiest option to get around London. You can enter the bus via the back door, which makes it a bit easier too. Up to two pushchairs are allowed in the dedicated buggy space on a bus, but do bear in mind that during busy periods you may be asked to wait for the next bus or collapse your pushchair.

Travelling on the London Underground with a buggy

The trick to travelling in London with kids using a pushchair is to check London´s accessible underground map in advance and choose your route carefully. Being able to plan your route by choosing accessible stations makes life much easier. It may just mean that you need to get off at the next stop and walk 5 minutes, rather than having to take a buggy and a baby up 100 steps.

Unfortunately, not all underground stations in London are accessible. Most underground stations in London will have escalators, and many stations will also have stairs before reaching the platform. Many other stations have lifts to some platforms, and some stations are completely accessible, with lifts from the ticket office to the platform.

Travelling in London with a buggy is easier if there are two adults as one of you can carry the baby whilst the other one can take the buggy up or down the stairs. If it´s just one adult taking a buggy then I would encourage you to check the best route first. Whenever I had no choice and had to get off at an underground station that wasn’t accessible with a buggy, there has always been someone willing to help me. If you need help going up or down the stairs and you ask a staff member for help, for health and safety reasons, they will ask you to carry the baby and take the buggy for you. I have to say that a lot of people will use the escalators with a buggy, but I would recommend that you use stations with lifts.

London Underground Accessibility Maps

On the London Underground map, you will see that accessible underground stations are marked with the symbol of a wheelchair, in either a blue circle or a white circle.

Blue circle: Fully accessible station. This means it is possible to go from street level onto the underground carriage without any steps. In these cases, the platform will have a slightly elevated area that avoids steps to get onto the train.
White circle: Accessible Station. This means that there are no steps from street level to the platform. There is some unevenness when getting onto the train. This is important for someone using a wheelchair, but it usually isn´t a problem when taking a buggy onto the train.

In addition to this map, there is a Step Free Tube Map , which is a lot more detailed and the one I recommend you check when travelling on the London Underground with a buggy. This map highlights the degree of accessibility at each station in detail and explains how accessible it is to change between underground lines at different stations.

Who can travel on UK public transport for free?

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For a majority of people, travelling in the UK using public transport is far from free.

Whether you’re in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, most adults will have to shell out a few quid for bus tickets, or pay a heftier fee for monthly passes or train tickets .

However, some people can access free travel – by bus or even, in a few rare cases, rail – depending on where they live, their age, and whether or not they have a disability.

Free travel could be a huge help, especially given the current cost of living crisis.

So, if you’re wondering whether you might be eligible for free public transport where you are, we’ve rounded up all the information – plus where you need to go to learn more or apply.

Let’s take a look…

Who can travel on public transport for free in the UK?

Here is a breakdown of some of those who are eligible for free travel across the UK.

Free travel for under 18s, over 60s and disabled people in London

We’ll kick off with London … and its network of Tubes, Overground trains, DLR trains, trams and buses.

Firstly, under 5s travel for free on buses and the Tube, plus other Transport for London (TfL) services mentioned, if they’re with a fee-paying adult.

Children up to age 17 can also benefit from free travel, with children aged 5 to 10 also able to travel for free on the Tube, DLR, buses, trams, etc, using the ZIp Oyster Photocard .

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The ZIP Oyster Photocard is also available for children aged 11 to 15 , providing free bus and tram travel (not Tube), and for 16 to 17 year olds who specifically live in London , again for free buses and trams.

Over 60s living in London can get free travel with an Oyster Photocard , while anyone over 66 (state pension age in England) or who has a disability and lives in London can travel for free using the Freedom Pass .

Finally, veterans may be entitled to free travel in London with the Veterans Oyster Photocard .

Check the TfL website for any stipulations , such as services and times will accept your photocard or Freedom Pass.

Liverpool bus driving past the town hall.

Free bus travel for over 66s in England

When you reach the state pension age in England (currently 66), you can get free bus travel .

You’ll have to apply through your local council. Start by typing in your postcode on gov.uk .

Free bus travel for under 5s in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland

In both England and Scotland, children under the age of 5 usually travel for free on buses.

In England, you might find this varies by bus operator – and may only apply if the child is accompanied by a fee-paying adult. It may also apply to local metro or tram travel, too.

For example, we noticed that the Metro in Newcastle-upon-Tyne allows up to three children under age 11 to travel for free , again if the adult accompanying them has paid for a ticket.

Your best bet is to check the policy on the website of your local public transport provider.

In Scotland, all children under 5 go free on buses.

In Northern Ireland, under 5s appear to go free on some Translink buses (from what we can tell) – though may be included as ‘part of a party’ in the cost of Family Tickets . It’s worth checking directly.

People boarding bus in Glasgow, Scotland

Free bus travel for under 22s in Scotland

The Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme in Scotland is really good news for people aged 21 or younger.

Under 22s are now able to apply for a pass granting them free travel on buses, even beyond their local area.

On gov.scot , it says: ‘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.’

Free bus travel for over 60s in Scotland

Anyone aged 60 or over in Scotland can also apply for free bus travel, by visiting the gov.scot website .

The pass, called the National Entitlement Card, is designed to help people get around their local area, but can also help with travel further afield within Scotland.

Free bus and rail travel for under 11s in Wales

According to Transport for Wales , under 11s travel for free on buses and trains, when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

Under 16s can also enjoy free off-peak travel.

Free bus travel (and some rail) in Wales for over 60s

Anyone over 60 can apply for a bus pass enabling free travel in Wales, called a Concessionary Travel Pass.

As with England, you can apply via your local authority, which you can find by entering your postcode on gov.uk .

This Concessionary Travel Pass also allows for some free rail travel, including on routes from Wrexham to Hawarden Bridge, Shrewsbury to Swansea, or Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

However, some routes come with stipulations – such as only being able to travel for free from October to March. You also still need to get a ticket, even if you’re not paying.

There’s more information on Transport for Wales’ website .

Free bus travel for over 60s in Northern Ireland

People aged 60 or over in Northern Ireland are able to get free bus travel on the country’s Translink services.

You can read the fine print and start your application on the NI Direct government website .

Free bus, train and LUAS tram travel for over 65s across Ireland

Older people in Northern Ireland may also be able to travel across the whole Emerald Isle for free.

The All Ireland Free Travel Scheme allows for free bus and rail travel in both Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland – including on Dublin’s LUAS trams (with a few exceptions, of course).

To qualify, you must be a resident of Northern Ireland, aged 65 or older, or a resident of the Republic of Ireland, aged 66 or over. There may also be a few other people who can qualify.

Find out more on NI Direct and on Ireland’s government website, gov.ie .

Free bus travel for disabled people across the UK

People across the UK who have a disability will (mostly) find they are eligible to receive free travel on public transport, mainly buses.

In England, you can apply for a bus pass via your local council’s website, which you can reach by visiting gov.uk .

Residents of Scotland with disabilities can apply for the National Entitlement Card . There is also the Welsh Disabled Concessionary Travel Card, which you can apply for via Transport for Wales .

In Northern Ireland, people who are registered blind or are war disablement pensioners are eligible for free bus travel.

People with learning disabilities, who are partially-sighted, unable to drive on medical grounds, or get the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can get half price travel.

You can find out more and apply for the relevant SmartPass via NI Direct .

Finally, though not free, it’s worth knowing about the Disabled Persons’ Railcard , which can help save up to 1/3 on train fares in the UK (as when it comes to train prices, every little really does help…)

Free school transport for some children across the UK

Last but not least: some UK children are able to get free travel to and from schoo.

If you are eligible to receive this, it will depend on a few things, such as your child’s age and their proximity to school – plus if the nearest school is a few miles away from them.

Children who have no safe walking route home, or who have special educational needs, may also qualify.

To find out if you can get free school transport for your child/ren, visit gov.uk (for England and Wales), gov.scot (for Scotland) and EANI (for Northern Ireland).

One final note

The above is a guide to what kind of free public transport is available in the UK, but doesn’t cover every individual operator.

Things may change over time, there may be stipulations to the free travel, or things may differ slightly depending on who provides public transport in your area.

Always check the website, and read the T&Cs when applying for travel passes.

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Tap your NEC to get free bus travel

The Transport Scot Pass Collect App

Aged between 16 and 21 and already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC? If you haven’t applied for a new card since January 2022, you can download your free bus travel using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app and get free travel right away.

Active cards are those received since 2016. They will 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.

How to download the app

You can use the app with most smartphones and some tablets.

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

To download and use the app you will need:

to be connected to Wi-Fi, or have 3G, 4G or 5G network connection with good mobile signal
an Android (version 6 or later) or iOS (version 6 or later) phone
Near Field Communication (NFC) compatibility – this is the same function you use for mobile contactless payments and is usually available on newer smartphones

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.

Video Transcript

Follow the steps in this video to add free bus travel to your Young Scot National Entitlement Card. You’ll need to have it handy and have the Transport Scot Pass Collect App downloaded.

Open the app and click ‘Collect a young persons bus pass’.
On the next screen click ‘Yes’.
And then scroll down and click ‘Start Collection’.
Now hold the back of the phone to the Young Scot NEC, as if you’re doing a 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.
Hold still until the app recognises your card.
Go back the home screen and click ‘What’s on my card?’.
Followed by ‘Press here to start’.
This will show the free bus travel has been added onto the card.

Where to hold 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 – remember to hold it 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’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.

Do you live in Orkney or Shetland?

If you live in Orkney or Shetland and are aged 16 – 18 or are part of the concessionary volunteer scheme, you may also see ferry vouchers as well as your bus pass.

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 if your phone isn’t compatible.
Please remember, only people aged 16 and over can use the app to download free bus travel on to an existing NEC or Young Scot NEC.
The app doesn’t store any personal information. You can read the full app terms and conditions for more information.

If you’ve 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.

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

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

Card read but nothing to collect

Please remember you need to be aged 16-21 and already have an active card. You can check your card is active (this means it was received after 2016) by looking for 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 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 travel entitlements at the same time. Please try again in a few minutes.

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 .

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, holding your phone 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 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 ScotRail or Subway 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 eligible to use the app 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.

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.

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.

Our Pass - Travel Pass for 16-18 year olds

Our Pass gives 16-18 year olds free bus travel* across Greater Manchester

Our Pass opportunities Our Pass is not just a bus travel card – cardholders will have access to lots of opportunities, experiences and benefits.

How to apply You must be a Greater Manchester resident and be aged at least 16 and under 18. Your pass is valid until 31 August after your 18th birthday. Apply online at ourpass.co.uk you will need proof of your age and address, a photo and a credit/debit card to pay the £10 administration fee.

Who to contact

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Last updated: 07/02/2024

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At what age do children pay to travel?

Journey Planning

Up to two children under five years of age may travel free-of-charge provided that they do not occupy a seat required by an adult passenger and are accompanied by a responsible fare-paying customer. Additional children, or children under five occupying a seat required by an adult, may be charged as if they were aged five or over. Children 16 and above will need to pay a fare; in some cases this will be the adult fare, but in some areas we are able to offer reduced fares for young people. Please select the ticket section of your region for more details.

Where a child may appear older than 15 (the maximum age for a child fare), the driver may ask them to verify their age. We would always seek to avoid any embarrassment, so in such cases it may be helpful for the young person to carry additional photo identification.

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Save Money on Travel With Your Young Scot National Entitlement Card

Find out how you can get cheaper transport on buses, trains and ferries with your Young Scot NEC.

With your Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) you can save money on travel across Scotland by train, bus and ferry.

Find out how to get cheaper travel:

If you’re a full-time volunteer

Train

Get a 1/3 off rail travel if you’re 16, 17 or 18 years old (or up to 25-years-old and a full time volunteer) or save 50% on weekly or monthly season tickets.

Please ensure you have your Young Scot NEC with you when you travel. You cannot buy tickets for anyone else using your Young Scot NEC.

Restrictions

If you travel before 10am Monday–Friday, a minimum-spend limit of £12 applies in order to get a third off of your ticket. These restrictions do not apply in July and August, or if you’re purchasing a season ticket.
Tickets can be bought in person from the ticket office or on the train. Simply ask for the Young Scot discount and show your card to get the reduced fare. Tickets should only be bought on the train where a ticket cannot be bought at the station due to no ticket office or ticket machine.
You can also book online via the ScotRail website or by calling 0330 303 0111 .

Visit the  National Rail website  for terms and conditions.

Get more information, claim your discount and plan your journey via ScotRail’s website .

All young people under 22-years-old and living in Scotland get free bus travel.

Free bus travel can be accessed by using your Young Scot NEC.

Find out more about how to access free bus travel in Scotland. 

If you are aged 16, 17 or 18 and live on a Scottish island you will receive four ferry vouchers which gives you two free return journeys to the mainland each year.

The vouchers are valid from 1 April to 31 March of the following year and you get them automatically until you turn 19 (or 26 for full-time volunteers).

If you have received ferry vouchers because you are aged 16-18, you must be under 19 on the date you travel. Ferry terminal staff will check you have a valid Young Scot card and ferry voucher when you travel and will also check the date of birth on your Young Scot card.

You will require a valid Young Scot NEC and valid ferry voucher when you book and will need to have these on the day of travel or you will need to pay for the journey.

However, if you live in Orkney and Shetland, you now get digital vouchers that are stored on your new card.

For existing cardholders in Orkney and Shetland, you will receive a letter each year explaining how to add the digital vouchers to your card. For more information about digital ferry vouchers visit Transport Scotland’s website .

Volunteer full-time?

If you are a full-time volunteer aged up to 26-years-old you get discounted rail travel, discounted bus travel, plus ferry vouchers for Island residents

Full time volunteers aged between 19-21 years old (inclusive) are entitled to free bus travel under the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme . In addition, when aged 22-25 years old (inclusive) you’re also eligible for discounted bus travel if you volunteer for more than 30 hours a week.

You’ll need to submit an up to date letter from a senior official in a recognised volunteering organisation which confirms your name, full postal address, and that you volunteer with that organisation for 30+ hours per week.

Your Young Scot NEC also gives full-time volunteers a 1/3 discount off the adult single fare on almost all local and long-distance buses in Scotland. It also works on services to and from Carlisle and Berwick-Upon-Tweed from anywhere in Scotland. Book in advance or just show your card when you jump on a bus.

Getting the discount is simple. Place your card on the electronic ticketing machine, state your destination to the driver and your discount will automatically be calculated.

For more information about concessionary travel discounts, please visit the Transport Scotland website .

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USA TODAY 10Best

From bus services to buffets, best wallet-friendly travel ideas

June 26, 2024 // By 10Best Editors

By 10Best Editors June 26, 2024

Travel doesn't have to be expensive. Some of the best attractions in the United States are completely free, and it's possible to find an inexpensive hotel room while still staying in style. Rental car? Skip it by visiting a walkable city.

To find the best wallet-friendly options, a panel of travel experts and USA TODAY 10Best editors selected their top picks in five budget travel categories, then readers voted for their favorites over four weeks — and the results are in.

Click on each category below to see the full winners list:

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Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand: Motel 6

Enjoy quality accommodations at an affordable price at Motel 6

Well-loved and easily recognized by those traveling the roadways of the United States, Motel 6 has made a name for itself by being clean, friendly, dependable, and most importantly, affordable. Expanded cable TV and pet-friendly rooms make this hotel a good choice for those looking to stay within their budget. Free coffee in the mornings makes getting up and going a pleasure.

Full list of winners: Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand »

Best Buffet Restaurant: Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl, Pennsylvania

Dig in at the impressive Shady Maple Smorgasbord

Shady Maple Smorgasbord, claiming to be "the largest buffet in America," serves delectable Pennsylvania Dutch dishes in East Earl, Pennsylvania. The well-prepared comfort food is offered on a 200-foot-long smorgasbord, and the space is designed to offer a cafeteria-style ambiance. A gift shop is open to visitors, and their birthday specials are popular.

Full list of winners: Best Buffet Restaurant »

Best Bus Service: Yankee Line

Yankee Line ranks No.1 for offering the best bus service in the country

In operation for more than 45 years, Yankee Line serves the Northeast, from Boston to New York City. In addition, the company offers charter services for corporate events, school trips, and much more. Their fleet of custom-built coaches features free Wi-Fi, an onboard restroom, and power outlets.

Full list of winners: Best Bus Service »

Best Free Attraction: Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida

See sea turtles or other marine line up-close at Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Situated in Juno Beach, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center is focused on ocean and sea turtle conservation, and it’s free and open to the public each day. Since the goal is to rescue and return wildlife to their natural habitats, the number of resident sea turtles will vary when people visit. Additionally, there are plenty of other sea creatures to observe, and volunteers are helpful and willing to answer questions from visitors.

Full list of winners: Best Free Attraction »

Most Walkable City to Visit: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is declared the most walkable city to visit in the U.S. for second year in a row

Philadelphia is beloved for its cultural and historical attractions, and its walkability is appreciated by residents and visitors. Tourists would likely most enjoy strolling Center City — home to the historic Old City and gorgeous Rittenhouse Square neighborhoods.

Full list of winners: Most Walkable City to Visit »

Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in more Readers' Choice Awards.

Ukraine war latest: Attempt to 'overthrow Ukrainian government' foiled

Ukraine's security service says it has foiled a plot to topple its government. Meanwhile, Hungary's prime minster, Viktor Orban, is in Kyiv for the first time since Russia's invasion in 2022. Listen to a Daily podcast on Kim and Putin as you scroll.

Tuesday 2 July 2024 14:04, UK

Putin's closest EU ally asks Zelenskyy to consider 'quick ceasefire'
Attempt to 'overthrow Ukraine government' foiled
Exclusive : The critical cog in Putin's machine and how British firms help to keep Russian gas flowing
Big picture: What you need to know this week
Your questions answered: Has the West been honest about Ukraine's failures? | Is Kyiv next?
Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts
Live reporting by Mark Wyatt

The Kremlin has said that an upcoming visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Moscow was "very important".

The final details of the visit are being worked out, though Mr Modi, who recently won a third term in office in New Delhi, is expected to visit between 8-9 July.

Regional and global security are likely to be on the agenda for discussions, as will the trade partnership between the two countries.

India are the world's third-largest crude consumer and are a major buyer of Russian oil, increasing its purchase more than 20 times compared to 2021 as Russia discounts its barrels amid Western energy restrictions.

"I can only confirm once again that the visit is in the final stage of preparation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"A very important visit."

Mr Peskov added that both Mr Modi and Vladimir Putin had a "very trusting" relationship and said that regional security and global security issues were always high on the agenda of such meetings.

"In addition, our trade and economic cooperation is also one of the main issues that is being discussed, the most diverse areas of cooperation that we intend to develop, for which there is mutual political will," he said.

Russia can't comment on Donald Trump's idea of ending the conflict in Ukraine as it has not seen any proposals, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

The former president said last week that if he won the upcoming US election, he would have the war settled before he took office in January 2025.

"This is not Trump's first statement on this, and he has made statements along these lines before," Mr Peskov said.

"Without knowing the essence of what this is about, we cannot comment on it."

During last week's debate with US President Joe Biden, Trump claimed that if he won the upcoming election he would have the war settled before he took office.

"As far as Russia and Ukraine, if we had a real president, a president... that was respected by Putin... he would have never invaded Ukraine," Trump said.

Mr Biden responded: "Go ahead, let Putin go in and control Ukraine, and then move on to Poland and other places. See what happens then. He has no idea what the hell he's talking about."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that a ceasefire in Ukraine could help speed up peace negotiations with Russia.

The Hungarian PM - who is one of the most supportive European leaders of Vladimir Putin's regime in Russia - is in Kyiv today for talks with Mr Zelenskyy.

At a joint media briefing, Mr Orban suggested to Ukraine's president that a quick ceasefire in Ukraine could accelerate peace talks with Russia.

Mr Orban also said that Hungary would like to have much better bilateral relations with Ukraine and his country was ready to take part in the modernisation of Ukraine's economy.

He said that Hungary would be at Ukraine's disposal in its current role as rotating president of the EU Council, stressing that peace was important for all of Europe.

For context: Vladimir Putin set out what he said were Russia's preconditions for starting peace talks with Ukraine last month.

He said Russia would be ready for such talks "tomorrow" if Ukrainian troops withdraw from the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions and if Ukraine gave up its plans to join NATO.

If Ukraine agreed to those conditions, he said Russia would cease fire and start negotiations.

Mr Zelenskyy dismissed the ceasefire offer as "nothing new" and likened it to Adolf Hitler's promises before the Second World War.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been welcomed in Kyiv by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Mr Orban is visiting Ukraine for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Russia began in February 2022.

The main topic of the meeting will be the opportunity for building peace as Ukraine fights off Russia's invasion, according to Mr Orban's press chief.

Hungary is among the most supportive European nations of Vladimir Putin's regime in Russia.

Mr Orban has consistently opposed sanctions and frustrated the European Union and NATO over aid for Ukraine and the accession of the country and other neighbours to the alliance.

Read more on Mr Orban's visit to Ukraine in our 10.12am post.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on his appointment as secretary general of NATO.

Speaking to the former Dutch leader in a call on Tuesday, Mr Zelenskyy also thanked Mr Rutte for his support of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion.

In a post on Telegram, Mr Zelenskyy said: "I sincerely thanked him for everything that he personally, his government and the people of the Netherlands have done for Ukraine.

"All timely and large-scale defence, humanitarian and political support. We will continue to stay in touch with the new secretary general of NATO."

At least one person has died and eight were injured after more Russian shelling in Kherson, the region's governor has said.

Oleksandr Prokudin posted the update on his Telegram channel today.

Roman Mrochko, the head of Kherson's military administration, said that multiple residential buildings in the western Korabelnyi district were damaged in the attack.

Kherson and other regional settlements west of the Dnipro river have been hit with near-daily Russian strikes since Ukraine liberated the area in November 2022.

Ukraine's security service said yesterday that it had foiled a plot to topple its government.

The country's domestic intelligence agency, the SBU, said on its Telegram channel that four people had been arrested and charged.

They claim the group of conspirators - described as agents working on behalf of Russia - were planning to spark a riot in Kyiv on Sunday.

Using the planned unrest as a distraction, the accused then hoped to "seize" the parliament building "and block its work", according to SBU spokesperson Artem Dekhtyarenko.

Searches of their flats reportedly revealed evidence of their criminal activities including weapons and ammunition, recordings documenting their crimes and various computer equipment.

They could face up to 10 years in prison.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Kyiv today to talk with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy about relations between the two countries.

According to Mr Orban's spokesman Bertalan Havasi, the "most important topic" of today's talks is the chance for peace.

Mr Orban has regularly opposed ongoing military and financial aid given to Ukraine by the EU and NATO.

He is also one of two Western leaders, along with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, to have met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the last two years.

The Hungarian leader yesterday took over the rotating presidency of the EU Council and is on his first visit of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion of the country began in February 2022.

Readers have been sending in their questions to our senior correspondents and military experts for their take on the changing battlefield environment in Ukraine.

Reader Rick S asks:

With the knowledge that Russia is gaining ground and villages around Kharkiv and on the presumption they succeed, is it safe to say Kyiv is next?

Military analyst Sean Bell has this to say...

Thanks, Rick, for this very topical question.

Russia is believed to have suffered nearly 500,000 casualties since the start of the war, and a further mobilisation campaign could prove deeply unpopular for Vladimir Putin.

As a result, although Russia has provided incentives (financial and passport) to encourage mercenaries from around the world to join the Russian effort, Russia cannot sustain its military campaign at current loss rates without compromising its own ability to withstand any Ukrainian counterattack.

Most informed defence sources believe that due to the very significant loss of Russian military capability since the start of the war - up to 3,000 modern battle tanks - Russia does not have the capacity or capability to mount a strategically decisive offensive anytime this year.

Despite this limitation, it would appear the Russian leadership has decided to capitalise on the fleeting window of opportunity provided by Ukraine's shortage of weapons and ammunition to attempt to break the deadlock on the frontline and perhaps make progress to achieving its objectives - even if that results in heavy casualties.

Kharkiv could be the start of a major Russian second front, but that appears unlikely given Russian military limitations.

More likely is that Russia is seeking to protect Belgorod and provide a buffer zone by pushing the nearby Ukrainian border back outside artillery range.

Russia would have massed more troops than required for two main reasons: to force Ukraine to divert limited resources to stem the Russian offensive; and to ensure sufficient resources to capitalise should the Ukrainian lines be breached.

In sum, Russia does not appear to have the military resources to take Kharkiv anytime soon, so Kyiv would almost certainly be a step too far.

Besides, if the prime objective of Putin's special military operation is to secure the Donbas, it would be military folly to dilute available resources away from main effort.

Putin might still harbour ambitions to subjugate the whole of Ukraine, but Russia lacks the military capability to achieve such ambitions - at least for the coming year.

Footage released by the Russian ministry of defence reportedly shows them attacking Ukrainian ammunition depots and military airports.

Missiles can be seen being fired from the ground.

Earlier today, reports emerged that Russian strikes at the Myrhorod airfield had destroyed five Ukrainian fighter jets, a claim which Ukraine contests.

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Subsidised transport for 16 to 19 year olds in education
Subsidised transport for 16 to 19 year olds in education. Your local council has information on the services, discounts and concessions available in your area for travel to school sixth form or ...
Children Traveling
Children age 15 and under must be accompanied on the same bus by a parent, legal guardian, or another passenger at least 16 years old. Any traveler, regardless of age, occupying a seat must pay the applicable adult fare. Travelers age 16 and up qualify as an adult when traveling. Traveling to/from Canada or Mexico with children - take a look ...
Traveling with Children by Bus: What are the regulations?
Children can travel unaccompanied by an adult as of eight years old with Greyhound, Peter Pan, and Jefferson Lines (note that fees may apply for unaccompanied children). With most other providers, no unaccompanied travel is allowed below the age of age 15. Also, the person accompanying a minor must be at least 15 years old.
Under 22s free bus travel
0-4 year olds: No card needed to travel for free by bus: No: 5-10 year olds: NEC (without photo) Parent/guardian/carer to apply: 11-15 year olds: NEC (with photo), or. Young Scot NEC. Parent/guardian/carer to apply: 16-21 year olds: NEC (with photo), or. Young Scot NEC. Apply by themselves
Do kids need an Oyster card? Using the Zip Oyster card for children
Children aged 11 to 15 years old can get free or discounted travel with a Zip Oyster photocard, or a Young Visitor discount. 16 and 17 year olds pay half the adult rate on Tube, DLR and London Overground journeys with a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard. Very young children do not need their own Oyster cards if travelling with a fare-paying adult.
Moscow transport: metro, bus & taxi in Moscow
Metro prices in Moscow. A single trip = 57 rubles (from February 1, 2020) Price for transporting a suitcase in the metro = 60 rubles. With a transport card, the price of the journey decreases. Example: with the Troika card the price per trip increases to 40 rubles. More details about troika card below.
Travelling in London with kids: Fares, Tickets and Advice
Children from 11 to 16 years old can also travel with an adult oyster card or travel card if necessary. In this case, they will not benefit from reduced rates on travel. ... You can enter the bus via the back door, which makes it a bit easier too. ... The 6-year-old travels free, no ticket needed. They just go through the large gates (which are ...
16+ Zip Oyster photocard
Children aged 16 and 17 can get a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard. If your child is 16 now but was 15 on 31 August, they can still apply for and use an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard. Adults who live in a London borough who were 18 on 31 August and in full-time education, can apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard to get free travel on buses and trams.
Who can travel on UK public transport for free?
The ZIP Oyster Photocard is also available for children aged 11 to 15, providing free bus and tram travel (not Tube), and for 16 to 17 year olds who specifically live in London, again for free ...
How it works
If you are under 22 years old and living in Scotland, you are eligible for free nationwide bus travel. Skip to content. Young Persons's Free Bus Travel Scheme. How it works ... For 16-21 year olds. If you're aged between 16 and 21 you can apply for a new or replacement card today.
Young Persons' (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel
Tell the bus driver where you are going then tap your card on the electronic ticket machine. The smart technology will take care of the rest. Ts and Cs. Parents or guardians must apply on behalf of 5-15 year olds. Young people who are 16-21 years old can apply themselves. Children under 5 years old already travel for free on buses and don't ...
How to apply
Remember that free bus travel is available nationwide! This means your child can travel across Scotland, so please take care when making the decision about applying for them. It's a big responsibility - but it can come with fantastic benefits and opportunities. Information for 16−21 year olds
Free and discounted travel
Children under 5 travel free with a fare paying adult - check your fare ... 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard. Free travel on buses and trams, and discounts on our transport services. 16+ Zip Oyster photocard. Free and discounted travel on all our transport services if you're 16 or over. ... Add new bus. Search . Favourite roads. Done updating my ...
Moscow Domodedovo airport
From Moscow Domodedovo Airport. Approximate travel time: 35-45 minutes. As well social busses are on a route №308 Domodedovo Airport - Moscow. Fare: RUB 100 (without Strelka card) RUB 78,54 (with Strelka card) RUB 79 (via VISA payWave/Mastercard PayPass or with Strelka card) Free for children up to 7 years old. Extra baggage fee:
App for 16-21 year olds
Download the Transport Scot Pass Collect App on the App Store or Google Play Store to add free bus travel your existing card. To download and use the app you will need: to be connected to Wi-Fi, or have 3G, 4G or 5G network connection with good mobile signal. an Android (version 6 or later) or iOS (version 6 or later) phone.
Our Pass
Our Pass gives 16-18 year olds free bus travel* across Greater Manchester Our Pass opportunities Our Pass is not just a bus travel card - cardholders will have access to lots of opportunities, experiences and benefits. How to apply You must be a Greater Manchester resident and be aged at least 16 and under 18. Your pass is valid until 31 August after your 18th birthday.
Fares and passes for young people
Children under 5 years old travel for free on buses. Children aged 5-11 can pay child fares on buses; If you are aged 11-16, you must have an igo pass to travel using a child ticket on buses in Greater Manchester. Child fares on trams. In Greater Manchester: Children under 5 years old travel for free on trams.
Under 19 Bus-only travel
Remember if you are under 16 your parent or guardian will need to apply for you. You will need to be 16 to apply for a 16-18 PhotoCard. You can also head to a Bus Station Travel Centre, they will take your photo for you, but you will still need to bring along your proof of age document. Under 16 PhotoCards are free and 16-18 PhotoCards cost £5.
At what age do children pay to travel?
Up to two children under five years of age may travel free-of-charge provided that they do not occupy a seat required by an adult passenger and are accompanied by a responsible fare-paying customer. Additional children, or children under five occupying a seat required by an adult, may be charged as if they were aged five or over. Children 16 and above will need to pay a fare; in some cases ...
Young Scot National Entitlement Card
The Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) is free of charge to 11 to 26-year-olds living in Scotland. You can use your Young Scot NEC for…. free bus travel for under 22s, 1,000s of discounts at retailers and venues across Scotland. discounted train & ferry travel for 16-18-year-olds and full-time volunteers.
Save Money on Travel
Get a 1/3 off rail travel if you're 16, 17 or 18 years old (or up to 25-years-old and a full time volunteer) or save 50% on weekly or monthly season tickets. ... All young people under 22-years-old and living in Scotland get free bus travel. Free bus travel can be accessed by using your Young Scot NEC. Find out more about how to access free ...
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In operation for more than 45 years, Yankee Line serves the Northeast, from Boston to New York City. In addition, the company offers charter services for corporate events, school trips, and much more. Their fleet of custom-built coaches features free Wi-Fi, an onboard restroom, and power outlets. Full list of winners: Best Bus Service »
Any discounts for 60 year olds and over ?
See all. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers. to get trip updates and message other travellers.
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Answer 1 of 3: My 7 year old son and I will have an 8 hour layover AT SVO. We arrive in Terminal D from JFK at 1200 and depart from Terminal E for Cairo at 2040. Can anyone recommend the best place to rest and or sleep for us? I saw Space lounge has sleeping...
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Air Force 1 x Tiffany & Co.
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