Getting started (Updated December 2008)
Once your BSmart card has arrived in the post
Here’s a quick and easy guide to making the most of your card.
1. Register
Load your card with money to pay for a host of fun and leisure activities.
To register click on ‘My BSmart sQuid account’ to link to the sQuid website. Click on ‘Register a Squidcard’ and then follow the on-screen instructions. You can also download a step by step guide to help you create your BSmart SQuid account and register your card. Click here for the guide
Once you’ve registered you can:
- Add money to your BSmart card online by clicking on ‘My sQuid’ account.
- Check the balance on your card along with details of transactions at any time by logging onto your sQuid account.
- Top-up with cash at some BSmart venues and also the One Stop Shop in Bolton Town Hall. Check with the provider that they offer this facility.
- Check your card has been topped-up and / or check your balance by holding your card against the sQuidcard reader in participating venues - the amount will be shown on the screen.
- Pay for activities you want to take part in at any registered venue by holding the card against the sQuidcard reader - the payment will then be taken from the card.
- Please note that if you lose your card and a replacement card is issued, you will have to re-register your card. Your old card will be cancelled and any funds transferred to your new card.
2. Have fun
Now you’re loaded you can use BSmart to:
Pay for activities. For a list of activities you can pay for with your BSmart card click on ‘Where to BSmart’. Search by activities or location and click on the providers name to find out more. For further details of dates, times and prices contact the venues direct.
If you can’t see an activity you would like to do, click on ‘Contact us’ and ‘Have your say’.
Go shopping or eat out. Your BSmart card is used to pay for activities, however, a separate e-money purse can added to your BSmart card to pay for items at shops, cafes and outlets displaying the sQuid logo. For a full list of participating venues visit www.bolton.gov.uk/smart, click on the Smart card image, then click on ‘Smart Directory’
Go to http://www.squidcard.com/howitworks to find out more about the second purse.
Swim for free with FreeBie. Swimming is free to BSmart card holders aged 16 and under at Bolton Community Leisure Trust pools. If you can’t swim, you can also have a free swimming lesson if you are aged 16 and under. Just activate your BSmart card at any leisure centre and dive straight in! For details of pools visit www.boltonleisure.com
Access leisure. Your BSmart card can be used to pay for certain activities at all Bolton leisure centres. Your card will be activated the first time you visit a centre. For details of centres visit www.boltonleisure.com .
Join the library. Your BSmart card is your library membership card and will soon enable you to hire and pay for the loan of DVD’s and CD’s (subject to the library terms and conditions) Your card will be activated the first time you visit a library. For details of libraries visit www.bolton.gov.uk/libraries
Get discounts. Your BSmart card can be used to get discounts at a number of retail and other outlets in and around Bolton. For details visit www.bolton.gov.uk/smart, click on the Smart card image, then click on ‘Smart Directory’
Bus travel. Your BSmart card is now accepted as your concessionary travel pass on Arriva buses within Bolton if you are aged 16 or under at the date of travel. This BSmart website will keep you updated on developments about the scheme.
