Swift 16-18 Photocard

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

1. Use our ticket finder to find the best ticket for you. Select ‘Young Person’ from the drop-down. 
2. Press 'Buy on Swift'.
3. Sign in to or create your Swift account. 
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your purchase.
5. Your ticket will automatically be loaded onto your 16-18 photocard.
6. 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

If you're buying a ticket online 

If you already have a 16-18 photocard, you can purchase your ticket using our ticket finder. 

1. Use our ticket finder to find the best ticket for you. Select ‘Young Person’ from the drop-down. 
2. Press 'Buy on Swift'.
3. Sign in to or create to your Swift account. 
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your purchase.
5. Collect your ticket onto the Swift 16-18 photocard using the TfWM app or at a Swift ticket machine. 

Buying Tickets in Person 

Once you have a 16-18 photocard, you can also buy 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. 

Using your 16-18 photocard

You can use your photocard for journeys to and from school, college, 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 related to your education, training, or employment. 

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

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.