Skip to main content

3. Free and Discounted Travel

Page last updated

Free and discounted travel

  1. The Council encourages young people (including those with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND)) to use public transport and travel independently because of the beneficial effects this can have on their development and independence.

  2. For the majority of young people, travel assistance needs will be met by the provision of free or discounted travel on buses and trams by Transport for London (TfL). You, the young person, should obtain the appropriate Oyster card before starting your programme of study. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the requirements set by TfL for retaining an Oyster card.

  3. Residents of London boroughs aged 16-17, and adults who live in a London borough who were 18 on 31 August and in full-time education, can apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard. The card gives free travel on London buses and trams, 50% off adult pay as you go fares on bus, Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail (excluding between West Drayton and Reading) and most National Rail services in London, and Child rate 7 Day, Monthly or longer period Travelcard  and Bus & Tram Pass . A 16+ Zip Oyster photocard expires on 30 September in the year after the young person’s 18th birthday. For more information on Travel schemes visit our Getting Around for Young People with SEND pages.

  4. You can visit the London Council Directory to find out if you are a resident of a London borough [External Link]

  5. 18+ Student Oyster photocards are available to young people and young adults who are aged 18 and over, and who are attending a course at colleges, schools and universities registered on the TfL 18+ Student Oyster photocard scheme, or on a mandatory work placement in London. The 18+ student card gives a 30% discount on bus, tram, tube, DLR, London Overground and National Rail travelcard season tickets.  For more information on the 18+ Oyster Photocard please visit the Transport for London website [External Link].

  6. If you are aged over 18 years, live in the London Borough of Sutton and are participating in the first year of an apprenticeship that will last for at least 12 months, you are eligible to apply for an Apprentice Oystercard. The Apprentice Oystercard gives a 30% discount on bus, tram, tube, DLR, London Overground and National Rail travelcard season tickets.  For more information on the Apprentice Oyster Photocard please visit the Transport for London website [External Link].

  7. Applications must be made online, by your parent or guardian if you are aged under 18, or by you if you are 18 or older. For more details, visit the Transport for London website [External Link].

  8. If you are aged between 16 and 25 years old (including students and apprentices), you are eligible to purchase a 16-25 Railcard for an annual fee of £30. A 16-25 Railcard offers 1/3 off Standard Anytime and Off-Peak fares, as well as Standard Advance and First Class Advance fares, with some restrictions (such as season tickets). For more details on the 16 to 25 Railcard please visit the website [External Link].

  9. In some cases, travel by rail may be the most suitable option, and costs of an associated travelcard may be met, and this may be facilitated under Personal Travel Budgets below.

  10. There are also national schemes that support young adults with disabilities, who are in receipt of the higher rate mobility for the disability allowance[External Link]/personal independence payments [External Link] as well as support to access funding for driving lessons[External Link].

View the next page here.

View the previous page here.