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Swift Pay As You Go options

Swift Go provides cheap, flexible bus and metro ticket prices in the West Midlands.

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Tram
Get started with Swift Go

Swift Go

If you want simple, flexible travel on bus and tram without buying tickets in advance, Swift Go is the best option. 

With Swift Go, you just tap your card when you travel and we work out the right fare for your journey. 

You will never pay more than the price of a 1 day, 3 day or weekly ticket. This is called capping. 

Why choose Swift Go? 

There are a number of reasons to choose Swift Go, including:

  • value for money – fares are capped at a 1 day, 3 day or weekly periods to keep costs down 
  • no need to buy tickets in advance – just tap and travel 
  • flexible travel – works across different bus operators and trams 
  • pay later – travel now and pay later, we’ll work out the right fare for your journey 
  • track your spending – view journeys and payments in your Swift account 
  • local discounts – cheaper day tickets are available in Walsall and Sandwell & Dudley 

To get Swift Go you will need to create a Swift account and set up a payment method. 

If you are new to Swift:

  1. Select ‘buy on Swift’ on the Swift Go page 
  2. Select ‘create account’ 
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to create an account and set up Swift Go  
  4. Swift Go will be added to a new Swift card and posted to you 
  5. Your Swift card will take up to 5 working days to arrive 

If you already have a Swift card:

  1. Select ‘buy on Swift’ on the Swift Go page 
  2. Sign in to your Swift account 
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Swift Go 
  4. Collect Swift Go on your card using a Swift or Metro ticket machine or the TfWM app 

Find out more about how to collect. 

Swift Go works on all trams and most buses in the region. 

On the bus:

  1. Look for the Swift Go sticker on the bus door
  2. Tap your Swift Go card on the reader when you get on
  3. You do not need to tap when you get off

On the tram:

  1. Give your Swift card to the conductor
  2. Tell them which stop you are travelling to

To find out more about fare capping visit our webpage.

Top-up your account 

Top-up your Swift Go account with one off payments when you need to. Charges will be taken from your balance the next day. Make sure that your Swift Go balance will cover your charges. 

There are three ways you can manually top up your Swift Go balance: 

Auto Pay 

Alternatively, add your debit or credit card and you will be billed once a week each Sunday at 8am for all charges for the previous week. 

You can also combine Top-Up and Auto Pay. You will be billed once a week each Sunday at 8 am for all charges for the previous week. Payment will be taken from your Swift Go balance first, if it does not cover the charge in full we will then bill your debit or credit card. 

You can change your payment card in the payment methods section of your account. 

  1. Sign in to your Swift account
  2. On the account homepage, click on ‘View full summary’ 

Here you can: 

  • view your charges 
  • view your journey history 
  • change the date range to see journeys and charges for previous weeks 
  • raise a query about a journey or charge 
  • manage how you pay for Swift Go 

What happens if a payment fails? 

Not enough balance on your account

You must top-up your account balance before 8pm. 

If you have a payment card saved on your account, payment will be taken from your Swift Go balance first.  If it does not cover the charge in full we will then bill the payment card saved on your account. 

Payment will be attempted again at 8pm. If your payment fails a second time, Swift Go will be blocked on your card, and you will not be able to travel. 

Payment could not be taken from your saved payment card

This could be due to an expired payment card or an issue with your card provider. Add another payment card to your account before 8pm. 

Payment will be attempted again at 8pm. If your payment fails a second time, Swift Go will be blocked on your card, and you will not be able to travel. 

My Swift Go is blocked, what should I do? 

Swift Go Top-up:

Top-up your account with enough credit to cover your charges. Once a successful payment is received, we will notify you when your Swift Go is unblocked. You will need to collect your Swift Go on your card before you can use it to travel. 

Swift Go Auto-pay: 

Add another payment card to your account. Once a successful payment is received, we will notify you when your Swift Go is unblocked. You will need to collect your Swift Go on your card before you can use it to travel. 

Swift Pay As You Go

If you prefer to pay before you travel, Swift Pay As You Go may be a better option.  

It may suit you if you: 

  • do not travel every day 
  • are under 18 
  • want to share a card with someone else 
  • do not have a bank account 

Swift Pay As You Go can be used on bus and tram only.  

You can order a Swift Pay as You Go card online. If you’re a new user, you'll need to set up an account. You’ll get your card within 5 working days. 

You can also buy a card in person from your nearest Swift or Metro ticket machine. 

Use a pay as you go card to pay instead of using cash. Add money to your card and use the credit to pay for tickets on bus and tram.  

You must add credit before travelling. 

You can top up between £10 and £50. 

Top up using: 

Which option is best for you?

With Swift Go:

  • only pay for journeys you make 
  • pay the right fare for your journey 
  • fares are capped
  • get local discounted prices 
  • you can travel now, pay later 

With Swift Pay As You Go:

  • pay before you travel 
  • pay for tickets on this card instead of using cash
  • you can share your card with others
  • you can use this card if you're under 18

If you have any questions or need help, please contact us for support. 

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