If you haven't noticed already, the majority of buses in the West Midlands don't give change.
The cheapest and most convenient way to get from A to B is to purchase one of a variety of travel cards.
Although there are several different bus companies, the main operator is Travel West Midlands.
In addition to a number of rather bewildering schemes they offer a Student Faresaver card which is exclusive to all students over the age of 18 and in full-time education.
These are available from selected outlets (eg newsagents) and cover the whole academic year as three terms.
The card costs £89 for two of the three terms from Aug until Dec and Dec until April, TWM also offer a summer special at £44.
Centro - who oversee all the public transport across the region - also run a travel card scheme that covers local trains, the Metro and all buses (regardless of operator).
Buses run pretty regularly up until about 11pm, or midnight if you're lucky, while night buses run only on selected routes after this time.
There's no shortage of taxis in the city, but watch out for unregistered & illegal vehicles posing as taxis, particularly at weekends in the city centre.
All legit taxis are clearly marked, and only black cabs can be hailed in the street.
Help Lines: Centro Hotline - 0121-200 2700 (B'ham & Black Country), or 01203-559559 (Coventry) - For up to date information on all bus and train times across the West Midlands region Student Travel Card scheme undefined 0121 254 6363 West Midlands Travel Information undefined 0121 356 4521 (buses)
