Money saving travel schemes
Latest
- £2 Bus fares until end of 2024 and lower fares on East Sussex bus services
- See our renewal information for bus passes which expire March 2024:
The 3i-D card has been developed by the Youth Cabinet, in partnership with CitizenCard, local bus operators and East Sussex County Council. The card is provided free by CitizenCard and provides:
- Proof of age - PASS national form of proof of age ID for young people under 16 and 16 to 19 years of age.
- Travel discounts - pay reduced fares in East Sussex bus travel discounts. See our bus travel discounts page for details.
How to apply online
- Do you live, study or work in East Sussex? Are you aged 11–19? If yes, then you are eligible to apply for a 3i-D Card. Please note you need to be training, working, studying or living in East Sussex to apply. This ID card is not intended for temporary travel or residency in East Sussex.
- You will need a unique organisation code (UOC) to apply online please see the section below for the codes.
- To apply please visit the 3i-D CitizenCard website.
Unique Organisation Codes (UOC)
If your school doesn’t show in the codes below you will need to complete a paper application form. Once approved by the school verifier applications can take up to 21 days to process, so speak to your bus operator about the best priced ticket in the meantime.
| School/College | Code |
|---|---|
| ARK Alexandra | HEL4A0 |
| Beacon Academy | BEAC6E |
| Bennett Memorial | BEN5C1 |
| Bexhill Academy | BEXE30 |
| Bexhill College | BEXA06 |
| BHASVIC | BRI9C8 |
| Cavendish School | Paper apps |
| Chailey School | CHA2AD |
| Claverham CC | CLAAC5 |
| Didac Eastbourne | DIDA53 |
| Eastbourne Academy | Paper apps |
| East Sussex College | SUS468 |
| Hailsham CC | HAI24D |
| Gildredge House | GIL6E2 |
| Hadlow College | HAD231 |
| Hastings Academy | THEA25 |
| Hazel Court School | HAZ7A6 |
| Heathfield CC | HEA63F |
| Homewood School | HOM62A |
| King’s Academy Ringmer | RINA49 |
| Lewes Old Grammar | LEW054 |
| Owlswick School | OWL9EE |
| Peacehaven CS | PEAEAD |
| Priory School | PRI2E3 |
| Ratton School | RATCBC |
| Robertsbridge CC | ROB9E6 |
| Rye College | Use library |
| Sackville School | SAC4A0 |
| Saxon Mount School | Paper apps |
| Seaford Head School | SEA4FE |
| Seahaven Academy | SEA48F |
| St Catherine’s College | STCFC8 |
| St Leonard’s Academy | THE7B5 |
| St Mary’s School | STM86B |
| The Turing School | TURI74 |
| Uckfield CTC | UCK4C6 |
| Uplands CC | UPL80F |
| Vardean College | VAR3A5 |
| Willingdon CS | WIL39C |
Making a paper application
You should make a paper application if:
- your school/college only accepts paper applications
- you do not attend a listed school/college or you are working/training, then you can apply at an East Sussex library instead.
Download paper application (PDF)
Paper applications can take up to 28 days to process, so speak to your bus operator about the best priced ticket in the meantime.
Replacement 3i-D
To apply for a replacement 3i-D an applicant must pay £10 for a replacement card (no exemptions).
Replacement form (PDF)
Information for verifiers sending paper 3i-D applications.
Please see Guidance for verifiers sending 3i-D paper applications.
All information checked March 2024, prices are subject to change.
How do I work out which bus fare scheme is best for me?
The different bus companies in East Sussex each run different discounted fares for young people. The best choice for you will depend on:
- your age
- where you are going
- which buses you need to use,
- and how often you travel.
To find out more information on routes and bus companies, go to Public transport routes and timetables.
The Freedom Ticket and proof of age for under 19s
The Freedom Ticket offers unlimited travel on nearly every bus* in East Sussex for seven days in a row, including weekends. The Freedom ticket is £15.00 per week (valid as of 1 April 2023) and is issued on the bus as a paper ticket only.
If you need proof of age, under 19s can apply for a 3i-D card or download the East Sussex Age Verification App. These give you proof of age so you can purchase the Freedom ticket. You should show proof where your age may be questioned by a driver.
*Please contact the bus operator before travelling to ensure they issue and accept the Freedom Ticket.
To find out more about other discounts and applying for proof of age visit the 3i-D card webpage or download the East Sussex Age Verification App.
Child half fares on all bus services for under 16s
All children (aged under 16) pay half the adult fare on one-way and return journeys. It is recommended that you have ID so visit the 3i-D card web page for more information. You can also download the East Sussex Age Verification App.
Brighton & Hove Bus fares
- If you are between 5 and 18 travelling with Brighton & Hove Buses and you do not already have a 3i-D card, you can get discounts on one-way and journeys and Saver tickets with a free busID card until the age of 18. See Brighton & Hove Buses - Young People.
- If you are 18+ and you are a student or apprentice, visit Brighton & Hove Buses - Student Travel for details.
Stagecoach offers
Dayrider tickets
With suitable ID, like the 3i-D card or the East Sussex Age Verification App, you can travel on all Stagecoach buses in East Sussex and Kent with a South East dayrider U19 for just £6.50.
There are also U19 dayrider reduced fares in your local travel area.
Find out more about local Dayrider U19 and the app.
Studentrider season tickets
Travelling for the whole school year on Stagecoach buses? A Stagecoach studentrider ticket might be better for you. The studentrider ticket is available to students in school, college or university, regardless of age with a valid ID (this can be a 3i-D and the East Sussex Age Verification App).
The studentriders are valid from September to July each academic year. To find out prices for your area visit the Stagecoach student bus travel pages.
More information from Stagecoach.
Compass
Please see Compass' website for their student ticket offers.
Bus company ticket schemes
Most bus companies offer day return, weekly and day tickets which offer better value than single tickets.
Some operators also accept other operators' day return tickets. Brighton & Hove Bus Company One- Day Adult citySAVER and One-day Adult networkSAVER tickets bought on bus are also available on Compass and Cuckmere Buses services within the area bounded by Seaford, Lewes, Shoreham and Steyning, including Brighton & Hove.
Contact the individual bus operating companies for more details about their ticket schemes.
Combined bus and train tickets
Plusbus – bus and train
Plusbus is an add-on that you can buy with your train ticket. It gives you unlimited bus travel around the origin and/or destination towns of your rail journey. Plusbus is available for 290 rail-served towns and cities across Britain including:
Plusbus is available for 290 rail-served towns and cities across Britain including:
- Bexhill and Hastings
- Brighton & Hove
- Burgess Hill
- Crawley and Gatwick
- Eastbourne and Polegate
- Haywards Heath
- Lewes
- Newhaven and Seaford
- Rye
- Tunbridge Wells
- Worthing
There are many websites offering advice or ways to save money on ticket prices. Some of these are:
Discovery Ticket – your ticket to explore
Discovery fares – one day tickets available from the driver:
- Adult Discovery - £10
- Child Discovery - £8
- Family Discovery - £20 (for up to 5 people minimum of 1 adult and a maximum of 2 adults, children must be aged under 16)
Discovery tickets are issued and accepted by operators in West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey, Brighton & Hove and East Hampshire (subject to exclusions, please see below), including:
- Abellio Surrey
- Arriva Kent and Surrey Ltd
- ASD Transport
- Autocar Bus & Coach Services Ltd
- Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company Ltd
- Brighton & Hove Community Transport Ltd
- BETC. Ltd. t/a Buses Excetera,
- Chalkwell Garage and Coach Hire Ltd
- Compass Travel (Sussex) Ltd
- Community Transport for The Lewes Area
- Cuckmere Community Bus Ltd
- Emsworth and District Motor Services Ltd
- Go-Coach Hire Ltd
- Farleigh Coaches
- Metrobus Ltd
- North Wealden Community Transport Partnership Ltd
- Nu-Venture Coaches Ltd,
- Invictabus Ltd & Bzee Bus Ltd
- Regent Coaches
- Renown Coaches
- Rye & District Community Transport
- Seaford & District
- Southdown PSV Ltd
- Southern Transit
- Stagecoach South East
- Stagecoach South
- theSussexBus.com
- The Big Lemon
Excluded services: City Sightseeing Brighton, Winchester Park & Ride, Guildford Park & Ride. Also occasional and special services including Ardingly showground specials, Goodwood Racecourse & Motor Racing specials, nightclub services and football services. Other exclusions may apply. Check with the operator before travelling.
For more information about using the Discovery Ticket in the South Downs National Park please see the authority website:
KeyGo tickets
KeyGo can be added to the Southern Railway Key Smartcard. As well as use on trains, it can be used on Brighton & Hove and Metro Buses which start and finish in the KeyGo area.
If you are an unemployed jobseeker ask your local job centre if they have a discount card. They may offer a JobCentre Plus travelcard for a limited period of time during your job search or when you first start work.
All information correct as at July 2023, but subject to change.
Minimum fares and time restrictions apply to some Railcards. Check before you buy the Railcard or any tickets using it. This page does not cover the full range of railcards available for purchase. Check rail operators' websites or ask at a station.
Railcards are usually issued alongside a photocard – both of these must be shown when buying a discounted ticket and when travelling. You can buy railcards digitally and upload photos to get the card straightaway. See Managing Your Digital Railcard for the app you need and further information.
Remember: if you order a plastic card online, you will need to allow time for delivery.
16 to 17 saver railcard
Costing £30 for one year, the 16 to 17 Saver is the national railcard for 16 and 17 year-olds. It gives 50% off standard Season tickets as well as Anytime, Off-Peak, Advance and tickets for travel at any time of the day.
The 16 to 17 Saver is valid for one year or up until your 18th birthday, whichever comes first. However, if you buy a season ticket with a 16 to 17 Saver discount before it expires, you can continue to use it for up to 4 months after the expiry date. The expiry date and the date that you can use your season ticket until are shown on the 16 to 17 Saver.
Find out more and apply at 16 to 17 saver.
16 to 25 railcard
The 16 to 25 railcard offers 33% off a wide range of tickets for those not travelling each day (subject to a minimum fare). This card is aimed at leisure travel - it cannot be used for season tickets.
This card costs £30 for one year or £70 for three years.
Unizone rail ticket (college and university students)
The Unizone ticket gives unlimited discounted travel for a fixed price for those who study in or around Brighton or Worthing. To qualify for a Unizone ticket, a student needs a valid 16–17 Saver or 16–25 Railcard (see above on how to get one of these) and valid ID confirming attendance in further or higher education.
Find out more on the Southern website.
Disabled Persons Railcard
This card offers 33% off of adult rail fares for travel on the National Rail network in Great Britain. Companions also get 33% off their rail fare. There are no time restrictions on the Disabled Persons Railcard, so it can be used at any time of the day.
It costs £20 for a one-year card or £54 for a three-year card.
See Transport if you’re disabled – GOV.UK for more information.
You may qualify for a card if you:
- receive disability-related benefits
- are registered as deaf or use a hearing aid
- are registered as visually impaired
- have epilepsy.
Senior Railcard
A Senior Railcard costs £30 for one year and £70 for three years (online only). Anyone aged 60 or over can buy one. It is not valid for morning peak travel in London and the South East. For more information see the link:
You will need valid ID to apply for a card.
All railcards must be carried and be valid at the time of your journey.
If you are an unemployed jobseeker ask your local job centre if they have a discount card. They may offer a JobCentre Plus travelcard for a limited period of time during your job search or when you first start work.