Back to School public transport

Travelling to School and College

Children aged 5-16 can get child fares on public transport. To make it easier, you can load bus tickets onto a Swift Child Photocard. Children who are under 16 but look older, can get a free under-16 photocard to prove their age.

Young people aged 16-18 can get a free 16-18 Swift Photocard, which lets you buy half price bus, train and tram tickets to travel to school, college or work. You can buy single/return tickets, season tickets or monthly direct debit tickets.

Travelling to University

Travel on selected National Express buses serving Birmingham City University and University of Birmingham for just £1.50 one way, or save even more with 5 and 10 ticket bundles! This offer is available for all university students, staff and NHS employees with a valid ID card, travelling within the 'Birmingham Uni Hop' area on selected services. Find out more.

---

Industrial Action and Road Works

Rail Strikes

No services will run on any route on Friday 1 September and a reduced timetable will be in operation on Saturday 2 September. Rail passengers are reminded to plan ahead, and seek alternative methods of transport.

Chester Road weekend closures

Summer 2023, Balfour Beatty VINCI, in partnership with HS2, will be carrying out critical utility diversions on A452 Chester Road between Spitfire Island and Tameside Drive. Works will be undertaken throughout the summer, with the impact being minimised where possible by traffic management.

The next road closure will be:

• Friday 1 September (8pm) – Monday 4 September (6am)

Find out more on the TfWM website.

Broad Street closure 

From Sunday 10 September 2023 there will be no vehicular access to Broad Street, including public transport, as repairs on crossing points are undertaken. During this time, buses will run on diverted routes and trams will terminate at Library tram stop only (with no service between Brindleyplace and Edgbaston Village stops). Vehicular traffic is expected to return to serving the area by Saturday 16 September. 

Live roadworks information

If you would like to see information of live roadworks and utility works that are happening across the city, check the One Network website.

---

Campaigns to get involved with...

Love to Ride Cycle September

Friday 1 – Saturday 30 September 

Calling all new cyclists, regular riders and everyone in between! 

Love To Ride are on a mission to get the world on bikes. With the Love to Ride app, you can track your bike miles, see your carbon savings, set goals, and find help and support to ride more often. 

Cycle September is a fun, free, and friendly biking challenge for you, your friends and co-workers. You can ride anywhere, anytime in September to participate. Find out more about taking part.

TravelWise Week

Saturday 16 - Friday 22 September

TravelWise Week is a world-wide, week-long travel challenge where Modeshift asks everyone to Travel Wisely!

TravelWise Week culminates in World Car Free Day when everyone is encouraged to ‘go car free’ for just one day. This week provides the perfect opportunity to talk about alternatives to driving, whilst raising awareness around the impacts of travel choices on health, wellbeing and the environment.

We’re encouraging YOU to get involved and host an activity at your workplace or organisation. Find a guide and free resources on the Modeshift website.

---

Upcoming events...

Go Green Game

Edgbaston Stadium is set to stage its first sustainable international match day after announcing the sold out Men’s Vitality IT20 against New Zealand on Sunday 3 September as its Go Green Game. As part of this National Express is offering FREE bus travel to all ticket holders. Spectators are strongly encouraged to leave the car at home and use public transport, walk or cycle to the stadium. Find out more.

Dr Bike and Security Marking

Sustrans will be hosting two Dr Bike and security marking sessions in September. At these sessions you can get your bike registered with the National Cycle Database online, and get it safety checked, with any small repairs done for free!

• Tuesday 5 September, 11am to 3pm , Witton Lakes Eco Hub, 87 Witton Lodge Rd, Birmingham, B23 5JD
• Sunday 24 September, 10am - 2pm, ASDA Small Heath Superstore, 859 Coventry Road, Birmingham, B10 0HH

The MAC's Big Green Weekender

Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 September

The Big Green Weekender, taking place at The MAC is a free, family-friendly festival celebrating creativity and local action for our shared future. There will be a range of things to get involved with such as creative workshops, short films, and inspiring talks.

The Council’s Travel Demand Management team will be at the festival on Sunday, alongside colleagues from the Clean Air Zone, Route to Zero, and Public Health teams. Pop along and have a chat!

Mobility Camp

Tuesday 26 September 2023

Mobility Camp (previously Transport Planning Camp) is back for its 6th year!  This annual volunteer run unconference brings together transport planners, modellers, engineers, technologists, social activists, academics and others interested in discussing and coming up with solutions to ongoing challenges in the transport sector. Find out more, and book yourself a ticket.

---

Road Safety - Operation Triton

Operation Triton is a dedicated initiative aimed at tackling dangerous driving and improving safety on our roads. West Midlands Police are working in partnership with local councils, charities and Transport for West Midlands, to create safer roads for everyone. Operation Triton is a proactive approach involving active patrolling of key areas, enforcing speed limits, and protecting communities from the hazards of excessive speed and other road-related issues. Watch the video here.

---

Dates for the diary

Cycle September - 1/9/23 - 30/9/23

MAC Big Green Weekender - 16/9/23 - 17/9/23

TravelWise Week - 16/9/23 - 22/9/23

World Car Free Day - 22/9/23