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Medway youth pass

previously known at the half price bus fare scheme.

The Scheme

This scheme entitles all young people who live in Medway and hold a valid pass to pay half the adult fare at all times when travelling on any local bus service, up to the end of the academic year after their 18th birthday.

The journeys must start in Medway and can be to any destination in Medway or Kent, as long as any changes of bus are in Medway. This pass is not valid on the subsidised yellow buses run by Medway Council or companies who already offer a child fare.

Please note that Kent County Council (KCC) has extended the availability of Freedom passes for Kent residents travelling to Medway schools. Further details are available on KCC's Kent Freedom Pass page.

How to apply

Application forms are available from all Medway schools with primary or secondary age pupils, at Strood, Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham libraries, the council offices at Gun Wharf and the Customer First Contact Points.

Please complete and sign the application form and return it to the address below, attaching a passport-sized photograph of the young person. There is a £5.50 administration fee, payable by:

  • cheque
  • postal order
  • credit card 
  • debit card

If you prefer to pay by cash, please visit the Riverside One in Chatham  or Strood Contact Point and use the handy till provided. Please do not send cash in the post. Card payments can be made at Chatham Contact Point within Chatham Community Hub.

Replacement tickets - can be ordered from the Student Services Operations Team and are subject to the administration charge (stated above). No photograph or application form is needed. This pass does not allow further discount on Medway Council’s 16 plus travel tickets, or tickets that have a discount already applied.

Further Information

We will aim to issue new passes within four weeks of application. However, this period may be longer over the summer seasonal peak. New applications for the following September will be processed once the new forms become available. Passes expire after three years or when the young person finishes Year 11, whichever is sooner. A new pass is needed for 16-18-year-olds (Year 12 onwards), this will expire when the young person reaches the end of the academic year after their 18th birthday.

Terms and conditions

(a) Half-fare means not more than half the normal adult fare for the ticket you are buying (i.e. fares are rounded down to the nearest penny).

(b) The pass is only valid for journeys at times when the passholder would normally be charged an adult fare.

(c) The offer of this concession does not guarantee the availability of any bus service.

(d) Passes must be shown to the bus driver every time travel is made at the reduced fare.

(e) Passes can be withdrawn and bus travel denied at any time in the event of unsafe or inappropriate behaviour on the bus or for misuse of the pass.

(f) By applying for a pass, the authorised user agrees to act responsibly at all times when waiting for or travelling on local buses and to act politely to other passengers and the driver at all times.

(g) The bus driver, ticket inspector, school, college or Medway Council representatives can ask you about the journey being made to ensure that the pass is being used correctly and for surveys on the success of the scheme.

(h) Each bus company’s rules and regulations apply when travel is made with the pass.

(i) The permit belongs to Medway Council, and must be given to the council or its representative if asked.

(j) Medway Council will not be responsible for any losses or damage suffered when travel is made with the pass.

(k) You must inform the Student Services Operations Team if any of your circumstances change, especially your home address to enable future renewals/replacement passes to be processed.

For more information contact Student Services Operations Team by telephone: 01634 306000 / 01634 331155 or by email: info@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Student Services Operations Team, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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