Derbyshire kids urged to apply for travel passes to get the best fares

As young people in Derbyshire receive the details of secondary school places for September 2026, they have been encouraged to apply for their travel pass to make sure that they never pay more than they need to get to school.

Children of secondary school age have two options available to them in North Derbyshire:

• The Orange b_line1 card for 11-year-olds (in secondary school) up to your 16th birthday
• The Purple b_line2 card for 16-year-olds up to 19th birthday

Your b_line card gives you £1.50 maximum single fares on local buses throughout Derbyshire and to some nearby towns and cities, as long as the journey is direct and starts or finishes in Derbyshire. With a b_line2 card you can get the £1.50 maximum single fare as well as some saver tickets. b_line cards are free unless you need a replacement for a lost or damaged card.

To find out more about the fares and travel passes available locally, visit https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport-roads/public-transport/fares-tickets-passes/b-line/b-line.aspx.

Catching the bus to school can be an important step for a young person in developing their independence and self-confidence, so many parents will do a ‘trial run’, with their child, before the start of term, particularly if they have not caught a bus on their own before.

It is also important to plan your child’s journey before they travel, so you are fully aware of all the options and potential routes. The Stagecoach App (https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachbusapp), will allow you to plan your journey and track your local bus, and there are also details of great value child week and 28-day tickets.

Matt Kitchin, Managing Director of Stagecoach in Derbyshire, said: "Going to secondary school is a hugely important and exciting time. There are so many things to think about and how you are going to get to your new school is just one of them. The bus is an easy and fun way to do it – and it is also really great value - but I would urge everyone to apply for your travel passes so you do not end up paying any more than you need to.

“Applying for your pass now means that the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about. It will mean that there is plenty of time for the application to be processed and guarantee that parents and carers can keep the demands on your household budget as low as possible.”