MCard General Terms & Conditions

MCard is a smartcard designed for use within West Yorkshire. The card itself can be loaded with various travel options. It may consist of a uniquely numbered PhotoCard or a card without any photograph. By purchasing a travel ticket and having that ticket loaded onto the card or PhotoCard you accept the terms and conditions set out below, and by travelling on an individual operator’s vehicles or rolling stock you accept the terms and conditions of travel that may apply under any conditions set by the individual operator concerned.

All MCards are valid on virtually all ordinary stopping bus services within West Yorkshire. Exceptions are some Night services, football or concert specials, long distance coaches, excursions, tours, contract, chartered or other privately hired bus or train services.

In addition passengers are subject to PCV Regulations and local byelaws.

General terms of use

Purchasing terms and conditions

First time applicants for MCards may be required to produce a full-face passport type photograph, depending on the type of MCard they are applying for. The applicant may also be required to prove age or residency. Each first-time applicant will then be issued a card or a PhotoCard incorporating their photograph, their name, address and a personal PhotoCard number.
It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure the details on the card or PhotoCard are correct in every respect. Failure to do so could later result in confiscation of the MCard, the issue of an Excess Fare and/or prosecution.
On production of a currently valid MCard a travel ticket may be purchased or renewed up to seven days in advance of the expiry date provided:
(i) the starting date of the new ticket is the day following the expiry date of the old ticket and
(ii) no advertised price changes are scheduled to occur during the seven day period
When a price change is published, an MCard may only be renewed two working days in advance of its expiry date.
MCards may not be used in advance of the starting date.

Holder's responsibilities

a) Before using the MCard, the holder must ensure that it is valid for the intended journey as follows:

That a travel ticket has been loaded onto the MCard and where necessary (for Rail travel) a counterpart receipt issued at the time of the upload is contained in the wallet and visible for inspection
That the card number printed on any counterpart receipt corresponds with that printed on the PhotoCard or card.
That the travel ticket covers the required modes of transport and the area within which travel is intended
That the travel ticket is valid for the date of travel
That the MCard is not defaced or damaged in any way.

Failure to do so could later result in confiscation of the MCard, charging of an Excess Fare and /or prosecution.

b) The MCard and counterpart receipt (if issued) must be shown on request to the driver when boarding any bus, to any authorised person engaged in revenue enforcement and when passing through a train station barrier or to the conductor on the train.

c) The MCard must also be shown for inspection on request by employees of Metro or participating operating companies. All parts must be surrendered if an irregularity is observed.

Important notes

a) MCard, Metro and bus and train operators will make every reasonable effort to maintain services, but will not be liable for any loss, expense, claim damage, injury or inconvenience that passengers may sustain arising directly or indirectly from failure to operate a particular service. Subject to the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.
b) MCard is not part of the Delay Repay scheme as it is a multi-modal zonal product allowing the holder to travel on any bus and train*. The Delay Repay scheme applies to rail operator only tickets. However, MCard holders may be eligible for compensation under the consumer rights act. You will need to email complaints@Northernrailway.co.uk, provide proof of the M-Card product you have purchased and must state you are applying for compensation under the consumer rights act. If the train operator is at fault for the delay, you will be compensated accordingly. *not football/concert specials
c) MCard reserves the right on behalf of participating operators to alter the MCard prices and conditions of use at any time on reasonable notice.
d) For the purposes of these conditions MCard is the West Yorkshire Ticketing Company Ltd.
e) No refunds can be given for lost weekly or monthly MCards, School Plus, Pay As You Go value, 16-25 and unregistered Annual MCards.
f) In the event that an MCard has not been used for a period of 2 years MCard reserves the right to cancel the card and retain any outstanding travel or Pay As You Go value.

Further conditions relating to Pay As You Go:

a) Can only be used on buses operated by members of the scheme, for journeys within West Yorkshire, or on journeys that cross the boundary, or where individual bus operators have an agreement in West Yorkshire.
b) Customers can purchase an adult single, return, or any day ticket. Children can use the card, but can only purchase adult tickets with it, as it is not a concessionary photo card.
c) No more than one ticket can be purchased on bus at the same time
d) Customers can share the card amongst them, but it can only be used by one person at a time. It cannot be used for more than one person per journey.
e) If a card is lost or stolen a new card can be provided, however any value that was held on the original card cannot be transferred. This works in the same way as losing a gift card or cash.