Xiaohongshu
We know getting around London is expensive, and for students like you, navigating the cost of living, every saving counts. That's why Students' Union UCL, alongside six other London students' unions, sat down with Transport for London and the Mayor of London's Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, to push for better deals for students.
The result? A new monthly Santander Cycles discount, available to students and new grads now through Student Beans. Meaning you don’t need to cough up a year’s membership to save big.
What's on offer?
The NEW monthly subscription: 25% off, down to £15 for unlimited 60-minute rides for a month.
Annual subscription: 25% off, bringing the price down from £120 to £90. That's unlimited 60-minute rides all year round, equivalent to just 25p a day.
Day pass: 50% off, down to £1.75 for unlimited 60-minute rides across 24 hours.
Why does this matter?
Affordable, sustainable travel isn't just good for your wallet. It's better for the city and our environment too. London's Mayor's Transport Strategy sets an ambition for 80% of all trips in London to be made on foot, by bike or by public transport by 2041, and students are central to making that happen.
Eda Yildirimkaya, your Equity and Inclusion Officer here at Students' Union UCL, who chaired the roundtable, said:
"Cost of living is one of the biggest pressures facing students in London right now, and transport is a real part of that. I'm really proud that by working together with other London students' unions and TfL, we've been able to secure something tangible that makes getting around the city a little more affordable. I'd encourage every UCL student to take advantage of these discounts."
The roundtable brought together officers from Greenwich Students' Union, Queen Mary Students' Union, Roehampton Students' Union, Barts and the London Students' Association, Imperial College Union and LSE Students' Union, with Students' Union UCL chairing the session.
Moving forwards
We are pleased to continue this work with our incoming Equity and Inclusion Officer for 2026/27, Rawleka Wilson. We have secured another roundtable with Transport for London and we won't be putting the brakes on our push for further support for students, including cycling lessons, improved communications, and student-focused discounts.
Watch this space for more updates, including potential on-campus activity with TfL coming soon.