unlock the potential with the key

Welcome to our key page, introducing our smartcard and a great new way of buying and using tickets to travel on our buses.

Get your key nowLog In

**If you are under 19 and would like to order a key call us on 0845 894 2469**


How it works

Follow the steps below to get your key, buy your tickets and start using it!

  1. Register online for free
  2. Allow 2 working days for your key to arrive in the post*
  3. Log in and purchase your tickets
  4. Wait 48 hours for your product to be loaded
  5. Enjoy travelling with the key on Bluestar
*This should take no longer than 2 working days. If you key does not arrive, please email thekey@bluestarbus.co.uk.
 

Keep me - don't bin me!

 
Please look after your key and don’t throw it away. You can use the same key card time and time again by topping up online! Your first key is free, but you may be charged up to £5 for every additional card.


Tickets


Save with freedom

Freedom is the name of our period passes. You get unlimited travel on any of our buses in the zone that you have chosen.

If you only travel within Southampton (the yellow shaded area on the map) buy the Southampton version, otherwise choose the Network option for travel anywhere else. Download a PDF version of the network map and see the zones in more detail.

Southampton Freedom

7 days                   £10 (normally £12)
30 days                 £35 (normally £42)
90 days                 £85 (normally £108)

Network Freedom

7days                    £20 (normally £22)
30 days                 £70 (normally £80)
90 days                 £170 (normally £190)

All tickets are valid for conseccutive days.

These fantastic prices are only available until the end of May 2012

Uni-Link

The key is also valid on Uni-Link services. To use your key on a Uni-Link bus, simply ask you Bluestar driver for a "card report" then show this to the Uni-Link driver, to prove you have a valid ticket.

Multi-trip tickets on Bluestar 18

 
This is a cheaper way of buying single journeys, and the more you buy the more you save. Each time you put your key on the reader one journey is deducted.

Multi-trip on the key

10 trip                   £16 (total if you paid for each trip £18)
20 trip                   £30 (total if you paid for each trip £36)
30 trip                   £42 (total if you paid for each trip £54)


What is the key?

The key is a smartcard that makes paying for bus travel in and around Southampton a whole lot cheaper. Instead of buying a paper ticket each time you travel, you load tickets onto the card in advance, online.

Save money

  • top up online for the best discounts on your Southampton Freedom and Network Freedom tickets.
  • new discounts and tickets will be coming online soon

Convenient and easy to use

  • no more waiting to buy your ticket, or searching for change, just top up online
  • easy to use – just put your key on the reader when you get onto the bus and wait for the green light
  • load several products onto you key at any time for travel convenience

Security and peace of mind

  • easy cancellation and replacement if your key is lost, damaged or stolen
  • check what tickets you have remaining and manage your account online
  • track your journey history

Environmentally friendly

  • travel by bus and reduce your carbon foot print
  • the key can be topped up again and again cutting back on the use of paper

 

Been given a key? Bought one from the Bluestar Box? Register it here.

Register a key

 

Got a question? See if our key FAQ page can help.