16-18 photocard

Check if you're eligible

You can get a 16-18 photocard if you're aged 16-18 and born after 31 August 2002.

You must also live at a property where Council Tax is paid to one of these councils:

• Birmingham


• Coventry


• Dudley


• Sandwell


• Solihull


• Walsall


• Wolverhampton

Apply for a 16-18 photocard

You can apply for a 16-18 photocard online. You’ll set up a Swift account when you apply.

When you apply, you’ll need:

• an email address


• a digital passport-sized photograph

If you buy a Direct Debit or season ticket online, you can get your 16-18 photocard at the same time. You’ll get your photocard loaded with the ticket you bought.

You can also order a 16-18 photocard on its own. You can load it with tickets at a later date or use it as ID to buy tickets in person.

You’ll get your card within 5 working days. It’s valid until July 31 of the academic year you turn 18.

Contact Customer Services if your card does not arrive within 5 working days.

Customer Services
Phone: 0345 303 6760
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8am to 6pm
Wednesdays, 10am to 6pm
Saturdays, 9am to 1pm

Use your 16-18 photocard

You can use your photocard to buy Direct Debit or season tickets online. You can also use the card buy tickets in person:

• at a travel centre


• from your local Payzone store


• at a self-service kiosk


• on a bus or tram


• at a train station (train-only tickets are issued on paper)

You must take your card with you when you travel. If you have a paper ticket, you might be asked to show your photocard as ID.

You can use your photocard for journeys that are:

• to and from school or college


• to and from your place of training or employment

If you’re at school or college, you can only use your photocard Monday to Friday in term time, unless you have a season ticket.

You must travel before 9.30am or between 3.30pm and 6pm. If you need to travel after 6pm, the journey must be in connection with either:

• your education


• your training or employment

Your photocard is only for you - you cannot share it with anyone else.

If you change your address

Contact Customer Services if you need to change the address on your ticket.

Customer Services
Phone: 0345 303 6760
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8am to 6pm
Wednesdays, 10am to 6pm
Saturdays, 9am to 1pm

If your photocard is not loaded with a ticket you bought

If you’ve tried to add a ticket to your photocard and it’s not there, you need to collect it:

1. Download the Swift collector app (available on Android or Apple iOS)

2. Use the app to load the ticket onto your card.

You can also visit one of our on-street Swift collector machines. They read your card and add any tickets you’ve bought to it.

There are over 100 Swift collectors in the West Midlands. Find your nearest Swift collector.

Replace a lost or stolen photocard

Contact Customer Services if you’ve lost your photocard. You’ll have to pay a fee of £7.50.

If your card has been stolen, report it to the police. They’ll give you a crime reference number. You can then call Customer Services to get your photocard replaced for free.

You should get your replacement card within 3 working days.

Customer Services
Phone: 0345 303 6760
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8am to 6pm
Wednesdays, 10am to 6pm
Saturdays, 9am to 1pm