Mae uses the MCard mobile app for bus journeys

Using an MCard ticket is a great way to travel across West Yorkshire by bus or train. MCard tickets are great value, can be used for unlimited journeys on any service or operator and can be bought on the user-friendly MCard Mobile app. As you’ll see in this interview with 18-year-old Mae from Horsforth, who uses the MCard mobile app for bus journeys, having it gives you the freedom to travel your way.

Audio-described (AD) version

Do you use the bus a lot?  

I go to college three times a week in the city centre, so I get the bus from Horsforth to Leeds.  It's a 30-to-40-minute journey. I use the MCard app, as it makes everything so much easier. I choose and buy the ticket I want, then scan the QR code when I get on the bus. That will do me for the whole day as I can then get on any bus I like back, which is really convenient as I can basically go wherever I want afterwards. I really like the flexibility.

 

What difference does using the bus make?  

I would be heavily reliant on my mum and dad for lifts. It gives me my independence. And with an MCard ticket I can go wherever I want, whenever I want on one ticket.

 

Do you ever travel with friends? 

All the time, we go into Leeds a lot or the Cinema in Bradford as a couple of my college friends live there. I also sometimes travel with my brother, to the leisure centre in Kirkstall.

It gives me my independence. And with an MCard ticket I can go wherever I want, whenever I want on one ticket.

Would you recommend an MCard?  

I would really recommend it because of the convenience. It’s perfect for people going to school or college, and Mum uses it for work too.  You can get any bus and get unlimited travel, so it's great value. If you’re using an app for one bus operator you can only use the buses for that company, but with MCard you can use any bus service. This means you don't have to rely on one service to get where you need to go.

 

How does it work?  

You can download the MCard Mobile app on your smartphone and choose the right ticket for you, there’s loads to choose from, from day tickets to longer term ones. They have tickets for bus only or those that cover buses and trains. Then I just get on the bus and scan my QR code ticket.  That’s it. You can go anywhere in West Yorkshire on any bus or train and as many journeys as you like.  

When I arrive at a bus shelter, I know I can jump on a bus that’s come up on the arrival screen.  I don’t have to worry about which bus service it is.

 

What type of tickets do you buy?

In summer, I usually buy a bulk of 10-day tickets because you get a discount for the more you buy and its comforting knowing I always have a ticket.  I use them as and when and save a little money. But in term time I buy a monthly ticket as it works out cheaper than buying daily ones when I’m travelling more. It’s very flexible and just less hassle. 

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