Get help with your Subway Smartcard
What is a Subway Smartcard?
It is a plastic smartcard which can be used to hold transport tickets. Smartcards are reusable and can be loaded with Subway season tickets, as well as Pay As You Go (PAYG) credit. The Subway Smartcard will always give you the best value fares and a PAYG daily cap – after your second Subway journey in a day, any additional journeys are free.
Is there a charge for a Smartcard?
Personalised Smartcards are free when you register online. Anonymous Smartcards can be purchased from a Subway station ticket office or ticket machine and cost £3.
How soon will I receive my Smartcard?
Once we receive your application your new Smartcard will be posted to your registered address within 10 working days.
When can I use it?
You can begin to use your Smartcard right away but don’t forget to top up with Pay As You Go (PAYG) credit or load a season ticket online or at any Subway station.
What about under-16s?
Children under 16 can apply for their own Smartcard. Proof of age must be provided – a birth certificate, passport, or Young Scot card can be used. You can email a scanned copy of your proof of age to smartcard-enquiries@spt.co.uk. Alternatively, you can take it to any Subway station. Your Smartcard will then be posted to you.
What about under-5s?
Children under five travel for free when accompanied by an adult and do not require Smartcard.
Can I apply for a Smartcard for another person?
All adults (customers aged 16 or over) should carry out their own registration and apply for their own smartcard. We can only discuss an adult customer’s Smartcard account with the registered cardholder. You will be required to answer security questions when contacting us.
Where a customer is under 16, an adult can register and apply for a smartcard on behalf of the under 16. An adult can make enquiries on behalf of an under 16 cardholder. You will be required to answer security questions about the cardholder when contacting us. Once a customer turns 16, they must manage their own account and we can no longer speak to an adult on the cardholder’s behalf.
How long will my top-up last?
There is no expiry date on Pay As You Go (PAYG) top-up credits.
Can I top-up by credit or debit card?
Yes, we accept all major credit and debit cards.
Can I purchase tickets with a cheque?
Yes. You are able to purchase tickets using cheques at any of our ticket offices. Cheques should be made payable to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
I have a concession card - how does this work in the Smart system?
You can use your National Entitlement Card (NEC) for concession Subway travel, if your card was issued in the SPT area. You can load Pay As You Go (PAYG) credit to your NEC at Subway station ticket vending machines, or at ticket offices. You can also benefit from a daily cap on the cost of Subway travel, with the cap being at the cost of the return concession fare. If your NEC was issued outside the SPT area you can still use it for Subway travel but you will be charged the full adult PAYG fare.
* Peak time restrictions apply to 60+ NEC holders before 09:00, Monday to Friday (except for national public holidays).
What if I want to change my details or cancel my card?
You can update your personal details on your registered account. If you change your registered email you must follow the link to verify your account again
To cancel your smartcard and close your account permanently, please contact the Subway smartcard team.
What happens if I lose my Smartcard?
The quickest and easiest way to replace your lost/stolen registered smartcard is to log in to your account, report your smartcard as lost under the Help section, and order a replacement using the link below:
Your smartcard balance should automatically transfer to your replacement and can be collected by tapping your smartcard at a Ticket Vending Machine or Subway station gate.
You can also contact the Subway smartcard team confirming your name, date of birth and registered address. We will respond to you at the earliest opportunity.
SPT are not responsible for any travel costs incurred between the reporting of a lost or stolen Smartcard and the receipt of your replacement card. Any tickets bought in such circumstances are non-refundable. Once stopped, your Smartcard cannot be re-activated. We are unable to replace anonymous Smartcards purchased in station.
Can I use my Smartcard on other forms of transport?
Yes, you can add ScotRail Smart tickets on a personalised registered Subway Smartcard when you buy tickets online from scotrail.co.uk
You can also load a ZoneCard ticket (for rail, bus and Subway travel) onto your Subway smartcard at zonecard.co.uk.
What happens if my Smartcard stops working?
If your Smartcard does not work, please ask Subway ticket office staff to test it on the station devices. If the card is still not working, please contact the Smartcard team with your name, date of birth and registered address. A replacement card will be posted to your registered address.
Is my Subway Smartcard transferrable to other people?
No, your card is not transferable and is only valid for use by the person to whom the card is registered.
Can I change the date on my season ticket?
Once purchased, it is not possible to change the start date of your season ticket. For further information, please contact the Subway smartcard team.
Can I buy Subway tickets for other transport operators' Smartcards?
If you already have a Smartcard from another transport operator, you can add adult Subway tickets to that (PAYG credit, and season tickets up to 28 days). This includes the following cards:
- ScotRail
- Stagecoach
- National Entitlement Card/Saltire card
- ZoneCard
*Please check directly with any other operator not listed above.
** Under-16s should register for a Subway Smartcard to benefit from the best child fares on Subway.
I have a Young Scot Card - can I use it on Subway?
Yes - simply load pay as you go (PAYG) at any Subway station and enjoy the benefits of smart Subway travel. If you are aged under 16 you will be deducted child Subway fares for travel, if you are aged 16 or over you will be deducted adult Subway fares for travel.
I have bought a ticket that I can no longer use. How do I get a refund?
Refunds are available for 10-week, 6-monthly or annual season tickets on a Personalised Smartcard, providing at least 28 days remain on the ticket. **Please note that any refund will be calculated from the date of the request. To request a refund please contact the Smartcard Team.
For information about parking at Subway stations please visit https://www.spt.co.uk/travel-with-spt/other-travel-options/park-and-ride/
Do I need to upload a photograph when applying for a Personalised Smartcard?
Yes, you will have to upload a colour passport style photo that shows the front view of your head and shoulders only (so that ticket inspectors can recognise you). The format for photographs is jpeg.
I can't access my account online
If you have forgotten your password, the quickest and easiest way to reset your password is to click “forgotten password” on the login screen. After entering your email address, we will email you a new, temporary, password which you can change after you log in for the first time.
If you have forgotten your registered email address, please contact the Smartcard Team and we can then update your email address on your behalf.
How do I buy tickets online?
If you have a Personalised Smartcard you can buy season tickets or Pay As You Go (PAYG) credit online. Just log in to your account at www.mybramble.co.uk and follow the on-screen instructions. Please note that your purchase will only be available for use after 2 hours.
Are my payment details secure when I buy tickets online?
We ensure the security of your online payment transactions through the adoption of the payment industry standard PCI DSS. We do not hold any information about your financial transactions other than details of the types of products you purchase, and when and where the purchase was made.
Are there any charges for using my debit or credit card?
There are no additional charges for using a debit or credit card.
What tickets can I buy online for my Smartcard?
| Adult | Child | |
| 7 day ticket | £14.00 | £6.50 |
| 28 day ticket | £53.50 | £25.00 |
| 10 week ticket | £128.00 | £60.00 |
| 6 month ticket | £265.00 | £125.00 |
| Annual ticket | £485.00 | £225.00 |
Auto Topup and Auto Renew
The following features are now available within your Subway Smartcard online account:
- Auto topup – set up your PAYG credit to be automatically topped up when it goes below a set amount
- Auto renew – set up your season ticket to automatically renew.
If you have any questions about using these features please contact us.
Telephone: 0141 333 3504 or 0845 271 0944
Email:smartcard-enquiries@spt.co.uk
Office hours: Monday to Friday 09:30 – 15:30
Please note: calls to 0845 numbers will be charged at 2p per min (inc VAT) plus your telecoms providers access charge.
