What is a 16-18 Photocard?
It's a photocard you can use to buy child-rate tickets for:
- Single or return journeys
- Season tickets (1 week, 4 weeks, or an academic term)
- Bus day tickets
- Monthly direct debit tickets
Check if you're eligible
You must be 16-18 years old or turning 18 on or after 1 September at the start of the academic year.
You must also live at a property where Council Tax is paid to one of these councils:
- Birmingham
- Coventry
- Dudley
- Sandwell
- Solihull
- Walsall
- Wolverhampton
You can find out where your council tax is paid by using the GOV.UK postcode checker.
How to get a 16-18 photocard
There are two ways to get a 16-18 photocard with or without a ticket.
Get a 16-18 Photocard on its own
1. Sign in or create a Swift account
2. Go to your main menu options at the top of the screen
3. Select ‘Your account’
4. Select ‘Apply for or manage discounts and free travel passes’
5. Select 'Swift 16-18 photocard'
6. Follow the on screen instructions
7. Once your application is approved, the card will be ready to use when it arrives in the post within 5 working days.
If you're an adult applying on behalf of a young person you will need to create or sign in to your account first and then create a child account for the young person.
Get a 16-18 photocard with a ticket
- Use our ticket finder to find the best ticket for you. Select ‘Young Person’ from the drop-down.
- Press 'Buy on Swift'.
- Sign in to or create your Swift account.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your purchase.
- Your ticket will automatically be loaded onto your 16-18 photocard.
- Once your application is approved, the card will be ready to use when it arrives in the post within 5 working days.
Adding a ticket to an existing Swift 16-18 photocard
Buying a ticket online
If you already have a 16-18 photocard, you can purchase bus, train and tram tickets using our ticket finder.
- Use our ticket finder to find the best ticket for you. Select ‘Young Person’ from the drop-down to view child ticket options.
- Press 'Buy on Swift'.
- Sign in to or create to your Swift account.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your purchase.
- Collect your ticket onto the Swift 16-18 photocard using the TfWM app or at a Swift ticket machine.
Buying tickets in person
- from your local Payzone store*
- at a Swift or Metro ticket machine
- on a bus or tram
- at a train station (train-only tickets are issued on paper)
*Not all Payzone stores sell Swift Products. When selecting a location on their website, click on 'Additional Services' and look for the 'Swift Smart Ticketing' option to check that the Payzone store can top-up your card.
You must take your card with you when you travel. If you have a paper ticket, you might be asked to show your 16-18 photocard as ID.
Train tickets
You won’t be able to use your Swift 16–18 photocard to buy advance single or return train tickets. These tickets need to be purchased at the train station on the day you travel.
Please note that the Swift 16–18 photocard does not include the National Rail 16–17 Saver Railcard discount. This is a different discount and is managed by National Rail.
Using your 16-18 photocard
You can use your photocard for journeys to and from school, college, your place of training, or employment.
Your photocard is only for you - you cannot share it with anyone else.
Days you can travel
If you’re at school or college, you can use your photocard from
Time restrictions
You can use your photocard to travel before 9:30am or between 3:30pm and 6:00pm. If you travel outside of these times your travel must be in connection with school, college, training or work.
If you're buying a single or return ticket
Show your card and ask for a single or return. Then pay in cash or with your Swift pay-as-you-go or contactless payment card.
If you've got a paper season ticket
Show your ticket and your photocard when you travel. At gated rail stations, insert your paper ticket for entry and exit.
You can read the full terms and conditions on our webpage.
You can update your address in the personal details section in your Swift account.
It is likely that you have not collected your ticket onto your card. The easiest way to collect your ticket is by using the TfWM app. To find out how to collect, visit our webpage.
You can also visit one of our Swift ticket machines. They read your card and add any tickets you’ve bought to it.
You can report your card as lost or stolen in your Swift account. If your card is lost, you'll need to pay a fee of £7.50. To find out how to replace your card, visit our webpage.
