SMART
travel card
You have been issued a travel card - how does it work?
Here are some helpful tips:
- Your travel card arrives pre-loaded with your allocated ticket. No activation required.
- Plan your journey ahead of time. You can find our network maps here and timetables here.
- When you board the bus - you will see the ticket machine directly in front of you.
- Place or "tap" the card on the ticket reader.
- Wait for the "beep" - this notifies the driver that your ticket is valid for travel.
- Away you "go" - either take a seat or please stand and hold onto the available grab handles/poles.
Travel safely
We have a handy guide which details steps to ensure the safety of all individuals whilst travelling on our services.
Click here to download a pdf copy
Frequently asked questions
When can I travel with my travel card?
Tickets are issued termly (unless an annual ticket has been purchased). You will receive a new travel card prior to the start of each term: Autumn, Spring and Summer.
Academic Year 2023-2024:
Autumn term: Valid 4th September 2023 to 20th December 2023
Spring term: Valid 4th January 2024 to 28th March 2024
Summer term: Valid 15th April 2024 to 23rd July 2024
Where can I travel with my travel card?
Your travel card will permit use on all First Essex Buses within a specified travel zone or route (this excludes our airport services X10/X30 and school services 525, 570 and 620 (unless otherwise stated)).
Plan your journey
Require a map? Click the relevant travel zone below to be directed to the route map:
Where do I scan my travel card?
You will see the ticket machine directly in front of you when boarding the bus. It will look something like this >
Do I "tap" getting off the bus?
There is no need to "tap off". Only one tap (and beep) is required when boarding the bus.
Do I need to "top-up" or activate my travel card?
No - the travel card arrives pre-loaded with your allocated e-Ticket. No activation is required.
Do I need a photo-card?
No - a photo-card is not required. All you need is your travel card.
Why has my travel card been declined?
Below are some of the more common reasons why a travel card transaction may have failed:
- incorrect usage - if the card is scanned outside the ticket's validity the card reader will not authorise the transaction and the driver will be notified that the ticket has been declined.
- *the travel card has been damaged* - the travel card is an electronic device and if it is damaged, due to carelessness, it may stop working.
- multiple devices detected - if more than one card/device is detected by the reader at one time the transaction will be rejected and the driver will be notified that the ticket has been declined. This is not a problem - take a moment - and then present the travel card to the reader once again.
Unfortunately, our drivers will not always be able to explain why a travel card transaction has failed. If a passenger attempts to travel without a valid bus travel they will be asked to pay the prevailing on-bus fare.
*Look after your travel card*
- Keep your card in safe place i.e. a card wallet
- Avoid storing your card alongside debit/credit cards and/or other smart/magnetic card
- Do not leave your card in direct sunlight, on radiators or other hot places
- Do not deface or alter your pass
- Protect your card from liquids and sharp objects
- Do not bend your card - if you crack the card it may stop working due to internal damage
- Do not pierce, punch a hole or cut your pass
Can somebody else use my travel card?
No - the travel card is to be used by the ticket holder only.
As the card is loaded with a student ticket you might be asked to prove your entitlement. Misuse of the ticket may result in one or all of the following: ticket cancellation, withdrawal of travel or/and not eligible for a refund.
I left something on the bus - who do I contact?
If you leave an item on the bus, take care when returning to the bus (as the driver may be pulling away). If the bus has already left - please submit a lost property report to log the missing item.
The lost property form can be found here: Lost Property | First Bus
How do I get in touch with First Bus?
Our First Customer Service Team is here to help.
Live Chat:
Open 08:00 - 18:00 Monday - Friday
Phone Line: 03456 460 707
Open 08:00 - 18:00 Monday - Friday
Twitter/X: @FirstEssex
Contact us between the hours of:
07:00 - 19:00 Monday - Friday
09:00 - 17:00 Weekends and Bank Holidays
Thank-you for travelling with First Essex Buses
-webpage information reviewed 12/03/2024-