Derbyshire County Council’s b_line 3 card, which offers discounts for those aged from 19 up to their 22nd birthday is to be extended from the end of December to the end of March 2026.
The card offers single bus fares for £1.50, to those eligible.
The current b_line scheme is Derbyshire County Council’s cut-price travel discount and library card for young people aged 11 up to 19. Since 1 November 2023 b_line card holders have been able to buy single tickets for £1.50 on buses in, to and from Derbyshire (including Derby).
The extended scheme for those aged 19 to 21 started on 16 June 2025, and will now continue to 31 March 2026.
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Hill said: “We are extending this popular discount scheme up to the end of March next year. Providing cheap simple tickets opens up opportunities for young people whether that is education, an apprenticeship or work as well as a chance to access hospitality, leisure and entertainment services.”
The extension to the older age category builds on the simple and popular ticketing scheme already in place. In 2024 b_line applications increased 75% with year- on-year journey growth trebling since the £1.50 fare was introduced.
The new scheme is part of Derbyshire County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), with the cards being known as b_line 3. Delivering cheaper fares for young people is one of the BSIPs key objectives.
b_line3 cards will be valid for £1.50 single fares on many of the county’s bus routes. These include those run by Stagecoach, High Peak, Arriva, Diamond, Central Connect, SPCT and Andrew’s of Tideswell services for journeys starting and/or ending in Derbyshire (including Derby City). The pilot b_line 3 scheme does not include any buses run by trentbarton.
£1.50 b_line fares have been funded by HM Government as part of Derbyshire County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan programme. From February 2026 responsibility for transport and schemes such as this are transferring to the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
To apply for a b_line3 card visit derbyshire.gov.uk/bline3
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