Travelcard
Travel By Bus? Struggle to find the correct change? Want to Save Money? - Then get a Travelcard
Use the Travelcard instead of cash to pay for bus travel - and you will receive discounts on most single and return fares too.
Travelcard is more convenient, there is no need to have the correct change for the fare and boarding times are much quicker.
Travelcard uses the latest electronic smartcard technology.
Step on board and show your Travelcard. Each bus in the scheme is equipped with a high-tech card reader that can communicate with a computer chip inside your plastic smartcard and it is as easy as that.
Travelcard offers the following choices:
Cheshire Stored Value Travelcard
How does it work?
This is a plastic card you load with money and then use to pay for your bus journeys. It is convenient, saves you having to find change to pay for each trip and most bus companies give you a discount too. Even better, getting a travelcard costs nothing, not even a stamp. Just complete an application form and send it to the freepost address.
Travelcard is great too for children travelling to school or leisure on the bus.
First you "store" Value on your travelcard. You do this on the bus by putting your Travelcard on the special reader on top of the ticket machine, and paying the driver.
You can add value to your Travelcard in multiples of £5 to a maximum of £50.
Each time you travel, you put your Travelcard on the reader, state your destination and the fare is deducted from your Travelcard. You will receive a ticket which shows the fare paid and the balance remaining on your Travelcard. When your balance gets low, you just top-up on bus again.
Use of the travelcard usually attracts a discount when purchasing standard single and return fares - up to 30%.
The discount varies between operators and certain special ticket offers may not be available for purchase with your Travelcard, please refer to the service list below or check with the individual operator for further details.
If a discount is applicable you do not need to ask for this, the ticket machine will automatically change to the discounted fare when you place your card on the reader.
On what services can I use my Cheshire Stored Value Travelcard?
The Yellow ITSO Cheshire Stored Value Travelcard can be used on services operated Arrowebrooks, Bakers, D&G, GHA, Helms, Warrington Borough Transport and most Arriva services in Cheshire.
Zone Travelcards
How does it work?
A weekly or monthly zone pass gives you unlimited travel (as many trips as you like) within a defined boundary - any time, any day, any route, any journey purpose and at a set price.
On What Services can I use my Zone Travelcard?
You can buy or renew your pass from the driver of any First service displaying the Travelcard logo or at the Chester Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall.
Passes can then be used for travel on any service displaying the Travelcard logo within the zone purchased, providing you show your valid receipt which displays the expiry date of the pass.
| Zone | Weekly Pass | Monthly Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 - Chester Area | £12.00 | £44.00 |
| Zone 2 - Chester and East Flintshire | £13.00 | £48.00 |
- Download the Travelcard Zone Map (PDF, 1.25MB)
- Download the Blue Chester Stored Value and Zone Travelcard Leaflet and Application form (PDF, 1.6MB)
Zone cards will also be replaced with ITSO standard cards, more information will be published as it becomes available.
Chester Stored Value Travelcard
How does it work?
In the same way as a Cheshire Stored Value Travelcard.
On what services can I use my Chester Stored Value Travelcard?
The Blue Chester Stored Value Travelcard can be used on services in the Chester area operated by First.
- Download full list of services that accept the Blue Chester Stored Value Travelcard (PDF, 50KB)
- Download the Blue Chester Stored Value and Zone Travelcard Leaflet and Application form (PDF, 1.6MB)
The Blue Chester Stored Value Travelcard is gradually being replaced by the New Yellow ITSO Cheshire Stored Value Travelcard .
Chester Stored Value Travelcards can now be "topped up" at the Chester Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall
How do I get a Travelcard?
ITSO Cheshire Stored Value Travelcard or Chester Stored Value Travelcard - Applications can be made by calling the Travelcard Helpline, at the time of calling you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth and contact telephone number.
Zone Travelcard - Applications can be downloaded from above links, applications can not be made by telephone as a passport sized and quality photograph is required.
Administration
The Travelcard scheme is administered by the Council and is provided in partnership with participating bus companies.
Travelcard Helpline
If you have any queries at all about the scheme please contact the Travelcard Helpline on 01244 973353 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
Travelcards are issued subject to the terms and conditions as published by the Council.