You can use the card to buy child rate:
- single or return tickets
- season tickets (for 1 week, 4 weeks or an academic term)
- bus day tickets
- monthly direct debit tickets
Check if you're eligible
You can get a 16-18 photocard if you're aged 16-18 and born after 31 August 2005.
It's valid until July 31 of the academic year you turn 18. You must also live at a property where Council Tax is paid to one of these councils:
- Birmingham
- Coventry
- Dudley
- Sandwell
- Solihull
- Walsall
- Wolverhampton
How to get a 16-18 photocard
There are 2 ways to get a 16-18 photocard. You can get the photocard on its own or with a Direct Debit or season ticket.
Get a 16-18 photocard on its own
If you would like a 16-18 photocard without purchasing a ticket, you can apply online.
You can use your 16-18 photocard straight away to purchase child fare tickets and can add season tickets.
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'
- Log into 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
- 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
If you already have a 16-18 photocard, you can purchase your ticket using our ticket finder.
- Use our ticket finder to find the best ticket for your child
- Press 'Buy on Swift'
- Log into your Swift account
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your purchase
- You will then need to 'collect' your ticket onto the Swift child photo card using the TfWM app. You can also do this at a Swift Kiosk or an on-street Swift Collector machine.
You can use your photocard to buy Direct Debit or season tickets online. You can also use the card to buy tickets in person:
- 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.
Using your 16-18 photocard
On the bus, hold your card next to the reader. Wait for the green light or beep.
On the tram, hand your card to the conductor. They will scan it for you.
On the train, hand your card to the conductor. You can also hold your card on the yellow reader to open entry and exit gates at stations.
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 9.30 am or between 3.30 pm and 6 pm. If you need to travel after 6 pm, 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're buying a single or return
Show your card and ask for a single or return. Then pay in cash or with your Swift pay-as-you-go card. You can also get day tickets on National Express coaches.
If you've got a season ticket on your photocard
You’ll use your card differently depending on how you travel.
On the bus:
- Hold your 16-18 photocard to the reader.
- Wait for the green light or beep, then board.
- Show your photocard to the inspector if requested.
On the tram, give your photocard to the conductor. They will scan it for you.
On the train, show your ticket and your 16-18 photocard to the conductor if they ask to see it. At gated rail stations, hold your card on the yellow reader for entry or exit.
If you've got a paper season ticket
You’ll need to show your ticket and your photocard when you travel. At gated rail stations, insert your paper ticket for entry and exit.
You can buy tickets for a Swift 16-19 photocard:
- from your local Payzone store
- at a self-service Swift kiosk or ticket machine
- on a bus or tram
- at a train station
Contact us if you need to change the address on your photocard.
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
- Download the TfWM app
- Open the app and select ‘Collector'
- Hold your 16-18 photocard to the back of your phone to collect your 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.
Contact us 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.
