School travel
Make your money go further
Coronavirus - We’re here to get them back to school safely
As schools reopen, we are doing all we can to keep pupils safe on board. That’s why we’re dedicating some bus services specifically for school children.
Find out more
At Arriva we know that moving up to secondary school is a big deal and can mean taking the bus to and from school for the first time. This is why we offer frequent and reliable services to and from major schools and educational establishments across the UK as well as money-saving child tickets to keep costs low too.
Save money with Child tickets
If a pupil isn't entitled to a bus travel pass from their local authority, our child tickets are a great money saving option, they offer:
- Discounted bus tickets
- Unlimited travel on all Arriva services in specified zones
- A choice of tickets including Day, Weekly, 4-Weekly and dedicated term tickets
Tickets can be bought from the bus driver, online or through the Arriva UK Bus App. They can be delivered by post or directly to a pupil's mobile phone too. What's more, you can make payment simple by spreading the cost over monthly installments by Direct Debit.
You can find out more about ticket prices and scholar Direct Debit payment in your area and sign up by selecting your region below.
Buy school bus tickets
North East
Direct Debit Scheme
For better value frequent bus use, our Direct Debit scheme is a great option. All of these tickets offer unlimited travel on all Arriva North East services (except where stated) in the specified zones. This includes evenings, weekends and half-term holidays.
Saver Zone | Child Monthly Direct Debit | Child Direct Debit Annual Cost | Zone Map |
Morpeth | £42.67 | £512 | |
Ashington | £42.67 | £512 | |
Blyth | £42.67 | £512 | |
Tyne Valley | £42.67 | £512 | |
Ashington & Morpeth | £53.33 | £640 | |
Ashington & Blyth | £53.33 | £640 | |
Morpeth & Blyth | £53.33 | £640 | |
Morpeth and Tyne & Wear | £53.33 | £640 | |
Blyth and Tyne & Wear | £53.33 | £640 | |
Tyne Valley and Tyne & Wear | £53.33 | £640 | |
Darlington District | £40.42 | £485 | |
Durham City | £39.17 | £470 | |
Teesside | £43.92 | £527 | |
Teesside & East Cleveland | £49.58 | £595 | |
County Durham & Darlington | £59.58 | £715 | |
East Durham | £44.17 | £530 | |
North East Regionwide | £68.75 | £825 | |
All Northumberland and Tyne & wear | £57.92 | £695 | |
Tyne & Wear | £42.67 | £512 | |
Discover North Northumberland | £42.50 | £510 | |
Durham district | £47.00 | £564 | |
Darlington Town | £34.00 | £408 |
Spread the cost of Annual Mobile tickets or Smartcards and pay monthly by Direct Debit. Payments will be taken on either the 1st or the 15th of the month.
Arrange your Direct Debit
Have a query about your Direct Debit? Send us an email
If you would like to know more about our child ticket range, please contact customer services here
Yorkshire
Our Scholar Saver ticket range already offers great value to students who are travelling regularly on Arriva buses in Yorkshire. Tickets are available to anyone up to the age of 19 in full time education
Direct Debit Scheme
Spread the cost of Annual Mobile tickets or Smartcard and pay monthly by Direct Debit. Payments will be taken on either the 1st or the 15th of the month.
Saver Zone | Child Monthly Direct Debit | Child Direct Debit Annual Cost |
West Yorkshire | £35 | £420 |
Yorkshire | £39 | £468 |
£24.50 | £295 |
Arrange your Direct Debit
West Yorkshire M-Cards
If your home address is within West Yorkshire Combined Authority, you can buy an Under 16 or 16-18 M-Card, for all buses or all buses & trains within West Yorkshire, including those not operated by Arriva.
Find out more about the West Yorkshire M-Cards
Have a query about your Direct Debit? Send us an email
If you would like to know more about our child ticket range, please contact customer services here
North West
Going back to school? Our Scholar Saver ticket range already offers great value to students who are travelling regularly on Arriva buses in the North West. Tickets are available to anyone up to the age of 19 in full time education.
You can get an annual ticket and pay for it in monthly installments or in one go, your ticket will be delivered by post as an Arriva Connect Smartcard.
Saver Zone | Child Monthly Direct Debit | Child Annual | Child 4 Weekly | Child Autumn Term 2020 | Child Academic Year | Zone Map |
North West / Under 19 | £30 | £360 | £42 | £85 | £230 |
Buy tickets online as a M-Ticket
Buy tickets online as a Smartcard
Direct Debit
Spread the cost of Annual Mobile tickets or Smartcard and pay monthly by Direct Debit. Payments will be taken on either the 1st or the 15th of the month.
Arrange your Direct Debit
Have a query about your Direct Debit? Send us an email
If you would like to know more about our child ticket range, please contact customer services here
Wales
Save money with a great value Scholar Saver Ticket!
Whether you’re starting out as a student or heading back for another year at school, our range of scholar bus tickets makes getting around Wales cheap and easy. Tickets are available to anyone up to school year 11.
Saver Zone | Child Autumn Term 2020 | Child Autumn and Spring Terms 20/21 | Child Academic Year 20/21 | Zone Map |
Wales | £105 | £210 | £300 |
Buy tickets online as a M-Ticket
Arriva Connect Smartcard
Save money with the Arriva Wales young person Connect Smartcard!
Valid in the Chester Plus, Menai and Wrexham Zones, this card gives you access to great savings, making getting around North Wales cheap and easy.
Smartcard | Price |
Wrexham Child Week | £10 |
Wrexham Child Flexi Day x5 | £12 |
Wrexham Child Flexi Day x10 | £23.40 |
Wrexham Child Flexi Day x20 | £45 |
Chester Plus Child Week | £10 |
Chester Plus Child Flexi Day x5 | £12 |
Chester Plus Child Flexi Day x10 | £23.40 |
Chester Plus Child Flexi Day x20 | £45 |
Menai Child Week | £10 |
Menai Child Flexi Day x5 | £12 |
Menai Child Flexi Day x10 | £23.40 |
Menai Child Flexi Day x20 | £45 |
Buy a Smartcard online
- You can register for a smartcard online, and when you purchase a ticket, you’ll be sent the card (with the ticket stored on it) to start when you need it.
- Please note you will need to order at least seven days in advance of when you wish to start using it, to allow for the card to be produced and delivered.
If you would like to know more about our child ticket range, please contact customer services here
Midlands
Save money with a great value Scholar Saver Ticket!
Whether you’re starting out as a student or heading back for another year at school, our range of scholar bus tickets makes getting around the Midlands cheap and easy. Tickets are available to anyone up to school year 11.
Saver Zone | Child Monthly Direct Debit | Child Annual | Child 4 Week | Child Autumn Term 2020 | Child Academic Year* | Zone Map |
Derby | £35 | £420 | £50 | £175 | £400 | |
Leicester Zone 1 | £35 | £420 | £48 | £175 | £400 | |
Leicester Zone 2 | £35 | £420 | £46 | £175 | £400 | |
Leicester & Derby Zone Plus | £45.42 | £545 | £60 | £225 | £525 | |
West Midlands | £45.42 | £545 | £72 | £225 | £525 |
*Academic Year valid from August 31st 2020 until July 23rd 2021.
Buy tickets online as a M-Ticket
Direct Debit
Spread the cost of Annual Mobile tickets or Smartcard and pay monthly by Direct Debit. Payments will be taken on either the 1st or the 15th of the month.
Arrange your Direct Debit
Have a query about your Direct Debit? Send us an email
If you would like to know more about our child ticket range, please contact customer services here
Beds & Bucks
Going back to school? Our Scholar Saver ticket range already offers great value to students who are travelling regularly on Arriva buses in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Tickets are available to anyone up to school year 11.
You can get an annual ticket and pay for it in monthly installments or in one go, your ticket will be delivered by post as an Arriva Connect smartcard, or you can choose a mobile ticket.
Saver Zone | Child Monthly Direct Debit | Child Annual | Child 4 Week | Child Autumn Term 2020 | Child Academic Year* | Zone Map |
Luton & Dunstable | £34.17 | £410 | £40 | £160 | £395 | |
Aylesbury | £24.17 | £290 | £29 | £110 | £275 | |
Oxford | £28.33 | £340 | £37 | £135 | £325 | |
Leighton Buzzard | £25.83 | £310 | £30 | £120 | £295 | |
High Wycombe | £29.58 | £355 | £36 | £135 | £340 | |
High Wycombe Plus | £36.67 | £440 | £43 | £165 | £420 | |
Orbit | £46.25 | £555 | £56 | £215 | £535 | |
Cardinal Newman | £40.42 | £510 | £50 | £195 | £490 | - |
*Academic Year valid from August 31st 2020 until July 23rd 2021.
Buy tickets online as a M-Ticket
Direct Debit
Spread the cost of Annual Mobile tickets or Smartcard and pay monthly by Direct Debit. Payments will be taken on either the 1st or the 15th of the month.
Arrange your Direct Debit
Have a query about your Direct Debit? Send us an email
If you would like to know more about our child ticket range, please contact customer services here
Herts & Essex
Save money with a great value Scholar Saver Ticket!
Whether you’re starting out as a student or heading back for another year at school, our range of Scholar bus tickets makes getting around Hertfordshire & Essex cheap and easy. Tickets can be purchased for anyone up to school year 11.
Saver Zone | Child Monthly Direct Debit | Child Annual | Child 4 Week | Child Autumn Term 2020 | Child Academic Year* |
Colchester | £32.08 | £385 | £36 | £150 | £370 |
Harlow | £25.41 | £305 | £30 | £110 | £290 |
Southend | £32.08 | £385 | £37 | £150 | £370 |
Hemel Hempstead | £29.17 | £350 | £34 | £130 | £335 |
Lea Valley | £27.08 | £325 | £32 | £120 | £310 |
North Herts Plus | £31.25 | £375 | £39 | £135 | £355 |
Stevenage | £24.17 | £290 | £30 | £105 | £275 |
Waltham Abbey | £22.50 | £270 | £27 | £100 | £255 |
Watford | £31.67 | £380 | £36 | £140 | £365 |
Welwyn & Hatfield | £30.83 | £370 | £36 | £135 | £355 |
Bishops Stortford | £29.23 | £380 | --- | --- | --- |
Orbit | £46.25 | £555 | £56 | --- | --- |
All Zone Shires | £49.17 | £590 | £57 | £220 | £570 |
*Academic Year valid from August 31st 2020 until July 23rd 2021.
Buy tickets online as a M-Ticket
Direct Debit
Spread the cost of Annual Mobile tickets or Smartcard and pay monthly by Direct Debit. Payments will be taken on either the 1st or the 15th of the month.
Arrange your Direct Debit
Have a query about your Direct Debit? Send us an email
If you would like to know more about our child ticket range, please contact customer services here
Kent & Surrey
Save money with a great value Scholar Saver Ticket!
Our Scholar Saver ticket range already offers great value to students who are travelling regularly on Arriva buses in Kent and Surrey. Tickets are available to anyone up to school year 11.
You can get an annual ticket online or pay for it in monthly installments. Your ticket will be delivered by post as an Arriva Connect smartcard or you can choose a Mobile Ticket.
We also accept the KCC Travel Saver young persons pass, find out more here
Saver Zone | Child Monthly Direct Debit | Child Annual | Child 4 Week | Child Autumn Term 2020 | Child Academic Year* |
Dartford | £35 | £420 | £47 | £185 | £400 |
Gravesend | £40 | £480 | £52 | £210 | £460 |
Maidstone | £39.17 | £470 | £53 | £180 | £450 |
Swale | £34.17 | £410 | £45 | £180 | £390 |
Thameside | £45 | £540 | £62 | £200 | £520 |
Tunbridge Wells & Tonbridge | £37.92 | £455 | £51 | £200 | £435 |
Kent & Medway | £62.50 | £750 | £85 | £300 | £730 |
Guildford | £32.50 | £390 | £42 | £150 | £375 |
Surrey & West Sussex | £49.58 | £595 | £65.80 | £230 | £575 |
Woking | £39.17 | £470 | £53 | £210 | £450 |
Medway | £58.33 | £700 | --- | £265 | £680 |
*Academic Year valid from August 31st 2020 until July 23rd 2021.
Buy tickets online as a M-Ticket
Direct Debit
Spread the cost of Annual Mobile tickets or Smartcard and pay monthly by Direct Debit. Payments will be taken on either the 1st or the 15th of the month.
Arrange your Direct Debit
Have a query about your Direct Debit? Send us an email
If you would like to know more about our child ticket range, please contact customer services here
Our school and college partners
We work with some of schools and colleges across the UK to offer prompt and efficient bus services and significant travel discounts to pupils travelling to school or college
Frequently Asked Questions
Who else can I contact about school travel?
Some school buses are operated under contract, often to a local authority. Arriva and many other local bus companies are employed to provide these contracted buses.
Details of routes, times and eligibility to travel will all be controlled by your school and/or local authority. Please contact them for more details.
What about tickets on normal public bus services for pupils?
Some local authorities provide pupils with tickets to ride on normal public bus services. Enquiries about tickets in these circumstances need to be made to your school or local authority.
Many schools are sited on or near our normal bus services. Sometimes journeys on these routes divert briefly off the normal route to call at a school at the appropriate times.
How can I contact the Arriva Student department?
If you have an issue regarding a Smart Card ticket, please contact:
Telephone: 0191 520 4144 (open Mon-Fri between 9am and 5pm)
Direct Debit Terms and Conditions
Administration
- The cost of an annual ticket is divided by 12 and the monthly Direct Debit payment is based on that calculation
- Direct debit payments are taken on the 1st or 15th of each month, dependent on date of application
- For payments on the 1st your tickets will be dispatched thereafter and commence on 12th of the month
- For payments on the 15th your tickets will be dispatched thereafter and commence on 27th of each month
- Dependent on your payment date your monthly ticket will expire at midnight on the 11th or 26th of the following month
- Your next ticket will automatically be sent directly to your home or registered m-ticket app every month before the current expire, as long as your DD remains active
- Your payment will remain the same each month unless we notify otherwise
- Annual tickets paid via direct debit form a rolling contract, these tickets will not expire until instructed to do so via your bank.
- This scheme is valid for passengers travelling on Arriva buses, and tickets are valid in the zone chosen only
- If your direct debit fails or is cancelled, you will not receive your ticket for the following month
- Please report lost tickets to [email protected] immediately, a replacement ticket will be sent to you and a fee of £25 will be added to your next direct debit
Ticket Validity
- Tickets are valid for students in full time education (school, 6th form, college, university, etc).
- Tickets are valid on any Arriva bus in the stated zone with no time or day restrictions.
- Parents or guardians can set up the Direct Debit on behalf of the student (please enter the student's name in the relevant field for the direct debit mandate).
- You will be notified if the price increases or decreases, in line with the annual ticket pricing.
Refunds
- No refunds will be given
- If you need to cancel your direct debit, please cancel it directly with your bank - they will normally require 7-10 working days to process a cancellation. Please note that any payments taken within this cancellation timeframe are not eligible to be refunded.
- Arriva will not accept responsibility for cancelling direct debits
- Cancellation of your direct debit requires 7 to 10 working days’ notice with your bank
- If your payment is due to be taken within the required notice period (and you have requested your direct debit to be cancelled too late), your ticket will still be sent to you and cannot be refunded
- We do not accept used/unused/unwanted tickets
