Wessex Red bus – prices and info

Pay as you go smartcards

You can now use your pay-as-you-go smartcard to purchase tickets on any Wessex Connect bus*.

Load your pay-as-you-go smartcard at UWE Student Union, or on the bus, and use it to buy any single, return or dayrider ticket on any Wessex Connect service, including Park & Ride. You will also save 1/6 of the cash ticket price!

*Except night flyers

Ticket prices

Tickets available on bus

Daily prices are for public, staff and students. Dayriders give you unlimited travel on the day issued on services U1-U6a.
You can also use a smartcard to buy single or dayrider tickets on the bus, saving 1/6 of the cost of travel. See the Q&A below for details of how to use the card. Dayriders give you unlimited travel on the day issued on services U1-U6a.

 Payment with cashPayment with smartcard smartcard image
Adult dayrider
(available on bus)		£3.00£2.50
Adult single
(available on bus)		£2.00£1.67
*Child dayrider
(available on bus)		£1.50
*Child single
(available on bus)		£1.00

Bus passes

All passes are programmed on a smartcard - this is a more convenient and economical way of travelling regularly on Wessex Red. You simply touch your card onto the reader on the bus until it beeps.

Annual pass
(for UWE students/staff, valid 52 weeks)		£309
3-term pass
(for UWE students/staff)		£274 (valid 20 Sep-29 Jul)
1-term pass
(for UWE students/staff)		£99 (1st term, valid 20 Sep-17 Dec)
£93 (for 2nd or 3rd term)
Monthly pass
(for UWE students/staff, one calendar month)		£39 (if you don't already have a smartcard)
£38 (if you can exchange an existing smartcard for a new one)
Monthly pass
(for general public)		£39 - buy from McColls - see below.
*Child = under 16 years of age

Students and staff can also purchase passes from the Students Union.
Anyone else can get a monthly smartcard from McColls Newsagents, 2nd Floor, The Galleries BS1 3XD.

Questions and Answers

Q. Where do Wessex Red buses go?

Simply click on the map above to download it and view full details or use the journey planner.

Q. What is the nearest stop to my house?

The easiest way to find this out is to use the Bristol Streets website. Click on 'buses' on the left panel and then move the map to find your house on it!

Q. How do I obtain / use a Wessex Red smartcard?

You are now able to use the Wessex Red smartcard to pay for individual bus tickets, just as if you were using cash. Follow the following simple steps:

  1. Buy a new 'blank' smartcard (from Cartridge Right, or Frenchay Students' Union).
  2. Top up your card by paying the driver £10 to add credit.
  3. Instead of paying the driver with cash, put your card on the reader and ask for a single or day-rider ticket as normal. £10 top-up gives you at least four days unlimited travel.

Q. How do I replace a lost smartcard?

A. You should keep your smartcard safe at all times - it will probably work on the bus without even taking it out of your purse or wallet. However, we may be able to replace lost annual or student 3-term smartcards provided you have a record of the number written on the back; please contact Frenchay Student Union for advice.

Q. Where do I enquire about lost property?

A. Please contact Wessex Connect on 0117 969 8661. If they do not have your item, it may have been handed in to the UWE lost property office at Frenchay, room 1E20.

Please read the Terms & Conditions of Travel.

Customer Service Contacts

We always try to answer your enquiry within two working days.

General enquiries tel: 0117 32 81563 (08.30-16.00)

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