Frequently asked questions

How do I retrieve lost property?

For all lost property, please call the operator of the bus service you lost your property on.

If you're unsure who the operator is, it is listed on the timetables for your school in the A-Z school finder section or call us on 0113 348 1122 if you're still unsure.

How do I order a replacement pass?

If you have lost or damaged a Priority PhotoCard, Boarding Pass or School Pass, please call 0113 3481122 to order a free replacement.

If you have lost or damaged any MCard product such as the Under 16 Photocard or MyWeekly ticket see the tickets and passes section or call Metroline 0113 2457676 for advice.

How do I find out if a bus is running late?

Services that are know to be running late - defined as over ten minutes late - are published via our Twitter account @metrogenm. You do not need a Twitter account, but if you do have one, it will be easier to stay updated.

A small but significant number of school services can also be monitored on the Your Next Bus real time facility. These are mainly commercially operated school services operated by First in Bradford and all Arriva services. Visit our main homepage for information.

You can check the third party website bustimes.org. Whilst this site is not endorsed by WYCA, most but not all services can be tracked in real time on a map.

Also check our short term service changes to see if there are any known disruptions such as roadworks which may be affecting services.

Or telephone us on 0113 3481122 and we can liaise with the relevant bus operator.

Overall, allow up to ten minutes for your service to arrive as many factors can affect the operation of all bus services on the public highway such as general traffic congestion to the weather conditions and ensure you are at your stop at least five to ten minutes before the service is due to ensure that you don't miss the bus.

Where do I find the application forms?

Forms for a secondary school Priority PhotoCard and for a MyBus primary school application can be found in this section of the website.

Be sure to choose the correct form for either secondary school or primary school and to check the A to Z school finder to see if your route requires a pass before completing the any forms.

Forms for Statutory Zero Fare can be found separately.

I have received my pass, why it is not for the route I requested?

1 - Check to see if the routes to your school have been re-numbered and/or re-routed. Either look at the timetables listed on the A to Z school finder or monitor the service changes pages.

2 - You may have applied for an incorrect service and we have allocated you to the correct one.

3 - The service you applied for is at full capacity so we have allocated you to the next suitable route.

Can I travel without a pass? I sent in an application, can I just travel anyway?

Most school services operate within a closed system and pre-registration as a passenger is required, therefore the need for a pass. Until you have received the appropriate pass through the post, then it is strictly 'no pass, no travel'.

A small number of routes do allow passengers to 'turn up and ride', however. Check if your route does need a pass via our timetable finder for your school.

If a pass is required, you must complete an application form and wait until you have received the pass through the post before starting to travel.

What is/how do I use a Priority PhotoCard/Boarding Pass/School Pass?

For full details regarding the validity of these passes, please see the education passes explained section of this website.

How to read timetables and which stops do buses use?

The timetables show a full route description listing all the roads the route operates along.

Buses stop at all regular Metro branded bus stops along those roads. If a route is limited stop, this is shown in the timetable.

The timetable only shows times at selected bus stops along the route (called ‘timing points’). Times in between must be estimated.

Always be at your stop at least five to ten minutes before a bus is due.

How do I pay a fare or present my pass when boarding?

As your child boards the bus, they must either pay their cash fare or present to the driver the appropriate pass.

Priority PhotoCards: these passes just need to be held up and shown to the driver. They do not need to be touched/swiped against the ticket machine. Then either pay a cash fare or present a pre-paid season ticket.

Zero fare Boarding Pass/School Pass: these passes need to be touched/swiped against the ticket machine. The driver will advise you if you are unsure where to place the card.

Cash fares: hand the cash over to the driver. Passengers are encouraged to have the exact fare, but change is given.

Pre Paid Season tickets: our MCard products must be touched/swiped against the ticket machine. You are encouraged to consider purchasing one of these products as not only does it usually work out cheaper than cash fares but also to minimise physical contact due to Covid-19. Please see our tickets and passes pages for full details.

Are seatbelts compulsory and are standees allowed?

When on the bus, passengers should find a seat and remain seated throughout the journey. 

Some services can be very busy and all single and double decker buses do allow standing passengers to a maximum capcity if there are no seats available and it is our policy to allocate passes based on there being standees on a service if required.

The exception is the yellow 'Mybus' branded buses where standees are not allowed.

Where seat belts are provided these must always be worn.

Are bus operator staff passes valid?

Mostly, these are not valid on contracted school services. However, there are a small number of exceptions. Please ask your company's school bus operations people for advice before travelling.

Why can't I use a M-Card ticket on some school services?

On some school services, M-Card season tickets such as the MyDay, MyWeekly or MyMonthly are not valid. This is because these services are not part of the Concessionary Fares scheme and so the bus company would not be paid for accepting this ticket. 

Here are a list of services which do not accept these types of tickets. 

In most cases, an alternative weekly ticket purchased from the driver is available.