Discounts for purple b_line2 card holders on bus services travelling into Greater Manchester
From 1 September 2024 until 31 December 2024 there will be an additional discount for purple b_line2 card holders on those bus services which travel from Derbyshire into Greater Manchester. These services are the:
- 199 Buxton, Dove Holes, Chapel en le Frith, Whaley Bridge, Newtown, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Manchester Airport
- 237 Glossop, Hadfield, Mottram, Stalybridge, Ashton
- 341 Glossop, Gamesley, Broadbottom, Hattersley, Hyde
- 358/360 Hayfield, New Mills, Marple, Stockport
- 394 Glossop, Gamesley, Marple, Stepping Hill Hospital
Purple b_line2 card holders with a student ID card for a higher education college or other post 16 education provider in the Greater Manchester area will be able to travel for free on these specific bus services at anytime 7 days a week from 1 September until 31 December 2024. To get this discount passengers will need to present a valid purple b_line2 card and a student ID card for a higher education college or other post-16 education provider in the Greater Manchester every time they travel.
This is a time limited trial project which is being funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). The continuation of the scheme from January 2025 onwards will be dependent on the experience of the 4-month trial. Find out more about the bus travel boost for Derbyshire students.
Any comments on the scheme should be sent to EMCCA.
b_line cards
b_line cards are free unless you need a replacement for a lost or damaged card. Replacement cards are £10.
There are 2 types of b_line card:
- an orange b_line1 card for 11-year-olds (in secondary school) up to your 16th birthday
- a purple b_line2 card for 16-year-olds up to 19th birthday
Using b_line for travel
Your b_line card gives you £1.50 max single fares on local buses throughout Derbyshire and to some nearby towns and cities as long as the journey is direct and starts or finishes in Derbyshire.
If you've got a b_line1 card you can use it to prove that you qualify for a £1.50 max single fare or the bus or train company's own discounted ticket.
With a b_line2 card you can get the £1.50 max single fare as well as some saver tickets.
Make sure you get the best deal by asking the driver.
b_line is now available on mango, meaning you can take advantage of single fares capped at £1.50 on trentbarton, kinchbuses, TM travel and Notts & Derby services.
You just need to apply for the discount on your mango account and enter the 18-digit code from your b_line card and the rest should take care of itself. For trentbarton and kinchbus services you'll only be able to get the discount via mango – not through the driver.
Get a b_line card
b_line cards are no longer issued automatically. If you want a card you must apply online. You can also request a replacement card. Before you start your application please read the instructions on the form to make sure you have everything you need to make your application.
Apply for a b_line card
Here's some more information about how to use b_line.
Buses
A b_line card will get you a discounted fare including £1.50 max single fare on most local buses for journeys starting or ending in Derbyshire.
You can't use it on long distance coaches or tour buses. You'll also not get the £1.50 max single fare on the following services:
- dedicated night buses which operate after midnight
- dedicated school buses where school fares already apply
- event and tourist buses, such as the Peak Sightseer
- community transport operators
- non-stop services, such as redarrow
You can also use your card to travel to or from the following destinations providing your journey is direct and starts or finishes in Derbyshire:
- Ashby-de-la-Zouch
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Beeston, Burton upon Trent
- Hucknall
- Hyde
- Leek
- Leicester
- Loughborough
- Macclesfield
- Manchester Airport
- Mansfield
- Meadowhall
- Nottingham
- Sheffield
- Stockport
- Uttoxeter
- Worksop
Trains
Your b_line card also gives you cheaper rail tickets on journeys starting and finishing in Derbyshire and direct trains to some places over the county border.
Travel to or from:
- Attenborough
- Beeston
- Bulwell
- Burton upon Trent
- Hazel Grove
- Hucknall
- Kirkby in Ashfield
- Manchester (Piccadilly)
- Mansfield
- Meadowhall
- Newstead
- Nottingham
- Sheffield
- Stockport
- Sutton Parkway
- Tutbury and Hatton
- Uttoxeter
- Worksop
And these stations between Derbyshire and Manchester:
- Ardwick
- Ashbury's
- Gorton
- Fairfield
- Guide Bridge
- Hyde North
- Hyde Central
- Woodley
- Belle Vue
- Reddish North
- Brinnington
- Bredbury
- Romiley
- Marple
- Levenshulme
- Heaton Chapel
- Davenport
- Broadbottom
- Middlewood
- Disley
There is one exception. You can hop on and off at any of these stations on the Robin Hood line:
- Worksop
- Whitwell
- Creswell
- Langwith
- Shirebrook
- Mansfield
- Sutton Parkway
- Kirkby in Ashfield
- Newstead
- Hucknall
- Bulwell
- Nottingham
If the station has a ticket office, and it's open, you must buy a ticket before you board the train to get the discount or you could be charged full fare. You can use your b_line card to buy a ticket on the train if the ticket office is closed.
Using b_line at the library
Your b_line card is also your library card. Once you've registered it at your local library use it to borrow from any Derbyshire or Derby library. You can download e-books too.
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions apply to using your b_line card. These are fully explained in the letter you will be sent when your b_line card is posted out to you.
b_line cards remain our property. You must make sure you are using a card with a valid date. If your card is out of date or it is being used fraudulently it will be taken off you and you'll have to pay the full, appropriate fare.