Travel cheap
Friday 14 August 2009
Want to get out and about this summer? Young people are entitled to discounts on all types of public transport.
Rail way
Up to the age of 15 you can get a 50 per cent discount on national rail services. Remember, if you and your mates have got all dressed up to go out somewhere it might be worth carrying proof of age to avoid being hassled.
If you're 16-25 you can apply for a Railcard. This means you can get a third off the price of most rail fares wherever you are in the country.
Take your crew
Is there a group of three or four of you? Whatever age you are, there are some rail networks that run a 4-travel-2-pay scheme called GroupSave on various off-peak ticket types.
Planning a really huge day out? If there are 10 or more of you, you could be entitled to a pretty big discount! Find out more about the networks that offer this on the National Rail website.
Check out this sped up London to Brighton train journey in four minutes!
Fast coach
If you are between 16 and 26 years old you can apply for the Young Person's Coachcard. This will give you up to 30 per cent discount on National Express coach journeys. You can even choose your own design. There are some conditions that apply though so make sure you read these before you plan your journey. Find out more.
On the bus
You may get free bus rides during term time but at the weekends and holidays it's different. However, many local bus companies do only charge half-price fares for young people under 16. Over 16s may still be able to get a student or young person's bus pass. It all depends on the schemes your local council runs. Find out more.
London town
Planning a trip to the capital? Once you get there travelling around on the bus couldn’t be cheaper which means more cash for fun things!
Zip around
Zip is the new name for Oyster photocards for young people. All 11 to 15 year olds must now carry their Zip Oyster photocard with them to travel free on buses and trams. These are available to people who live in and outside London.
You can travel for free in London and some areas outside Greater London. Zip cards also get you child rates on Tube, DLR and London Overground journeys, so it could save you a lot of money!
You can apply for a Zip if you were under 16 on 31st August prior to the start of the academic year. It may take two to three weeks to arrive, so again remember to plan ahead! Get one here.
However if you already have an Oyster photocard, you don't need to replace it, just use it until it expires.
16+
Unfortunately the 16+ and 18+ Oyster photocard scheme have both closed temporarily until 31st August. Make sure your first in line to get one when the scheme opens again though! Find out more on the Transport for London website or the Facebook page.
Win cinema tickets!
Love the cinema? We have 10 pairs of tickets up for grabs courtesy of Transport for London. The prizes are not just for those in the capital though. The tickets entitle you to freebies anywhere in the country.
All you have to do is go to the debate page and tell us where you’d go if you had a free bus ride to anywhere. What would you do when you got there? We’ll pick the winners at random at the end of August.
Don’t forget our terms and conditions. Good luck!
