Student ticket FAQs

Get the answers to our most frequently asked student questions. Whether you are new to a city or you are exploring your hometown, find out the best bus services in your area.

How much are student bus passes?

Student bus passes vary in price depending on your location and the pass you select. You can pay for your student bus pass in monthly instalments. 

Where can I buy my student bus pass? 

You can buy your student bus pass on the Arriva website or app with a valid student ID.

What's more valuable, an annual, monthly or weekly student bus pass? 

The most valuable bus pass is the one that best matches your travel habits. If you travel by bus regularly year-round, an annual bus pass can be more cost-effective than a monthly or weekly pass. If you only travel by bus occasionally, a daily, weekly or monthly pass may be better.

Is there a free student bus pass? 

There isn’t a free student bus pass, but our selection of tickets includes day, week, term-specific and academic year tickets that can help you save on bus travel during your time at school, university or college.

Can I top up my student bus pass? 

You can’t top up a student bus pass. Instead, you need to renew it after it expires to continue travelling with discounted fares. All student bus passes are a fixed price, so you don’t need to top it up to add more journeys. 

Where can I renew my student bus pass? 

You can renew your bus pass using the Arriva website and app.

Can I use my student bus pass on any bus? 

You can use your student bus pass for travelling by bus in your chosen zone. Some ticket types are unavailable in some areas and some routes, so check ahead of time if you’re planning to travel with a student ticket. 

What do I do if I lose my bus pass? 

If you lose a student bus pass, we can't reissue Day, Weekly, or 4-Weekly passes. If you lose a Term or Annual pass, we can issue a replacement for a £25 fee. For digital passes on lost or stolen phones, we can block and transfer your ticket to a new device. To arrange a new pass, contact Customer Services. 

Do I need a physical student travel card? 

When you buy a student bus pass, you can select a physical or digital ticket. When you travel, you may be asked to present your student ID to confirm your pass is valid. 

What type of ticket do I need?

Dependent on your status as a student or a scholar, you may be eligible for various ticket options. 

Choices include student term tickets, academic year passes, or scholar-specific fares. 

(dependent on area and ticket zone they also have the option of day, weekly and 15 weekly tickets)

How do direct debits work for ticket payments?

Direct Debits offer a convenient way to pay for your tickets. Once set up with your bank, the agreed amount will be automatically deducted from your account. 

When will the payment come out via direct debit?

Payments via direct debit occur on a predetermined date each month. The exact date will be specified in your agreement with Arriva, this would either be on the 1st or the 15th of the month.

How long will it take for a paper ticket to arrive at my postal address?

Paper tickets arrive within 5-7 working days after purchase. If you have not received your ticket within this timeframe, please contact our customer service team.