Students in Nottingham have less than one week left to secure tram travel for the equivalent of just 94p a day, as the limited-time offer on Nottingham Express Transit's (NET) Student Academic Year tram ticket comes to a close on Sunday 18 October.
The eight-week offer launched in August, giving new and returning college and university students the chance to secure the pass at the newly reduced price of £315 - a saving of £50. The pass gives students living in and around Nottinghamshire unlimited daily tram travel during the academic year for 80% less than a standard Student Day Ticket.
The offer from the tram network has been launched to help make student life more affordable as costs creep up for young people in the city. According to Hepi and Unipol, the average annual rent for a student room in Nottingham was £8,427 in 2023-2024, meaning the true figure could be closer to £9,000 for 2026-2027, in line with inflation. This was the third highest average cost shown in the 2023-2024 study, ranking behind Exeter (£8,558) and Bristol (£9,200).
NatWest's 2026 Student Handover Report found that nearly 99% of students wished they'd known more about managing money before they started university too, with 57% being surprised by the true cost of everyday life, and 44% being caught out by small purchases and subscriptions adding up.
Alison Sweeney, head of marketing at NET said: "For new students, potentially living independently for the first time, it's not surprising that they're being caught out by needing to budget for additional daily expenses as they settle into their new life, and travelling shouldn't be one of those costs they need to worry about.
"By purchasing the pass now using the limited-time offer, as well as saving money, people can get peace of mind knowing that the cost of their everyday mode of travel is sorted for the rest of the academic year. Travelling around the city is essential for young people, not only for getting to classes and lectures but for making memories with new friends and enjoying all that Nottingham has to offer. With the discounted Student Academic Year tram ticket, we're pleased to take the stress away and make travel more affordable."
In addition to the cost saving of daily travel, an annual pass also protects students from getting caught travelling without a valid tram ticket and landing themselves a hefty fine. NET maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards fare evasion, meaning that anyone caught travelling without a valid ticket or pass will receive a ‘no questions asked’ Penalty Fare Notice (PFN). A PFN can lead to the recipient being liable for prosecution if left unpaid, along with a possible further fine of £1,000 and a criminal record next to their name which could put a student’s studies in jeopardy.
Alison added: "The fact remains that by travelling without a valid tram ticket or pass, you could end up with a criminal record as well as losing out financially by paying a fine. Choosing to take advantage of our discounts and offers is a much better way to save money, than to risk travelling without paying a fare."
Operating seven days a week, 364 days a year, Nottingham’s tram network offers a sustainable and reliable transport option for the many people who use it each day. Safety is a priority, and NET has a number of measures and initiatives in place to help keep tram users and the wider city safe. These include well-lit stations and platforms, HD CCTV cameras and emergency help buttons on all trams and tram stops, as well as the ability to contact a member of the team discreetly through WhatsApp on 0115 824 6060.
For more information about NET’s student annual pass offer, go to www.thetram.net/student-offer-2026.