 The Lothian ' Ridacard ' bus pass is a pre @-@ paid plastic smartcard giving unlimited travel on regular daytime and night bus services , as well as Edinburgh Trams services . It is purchased initially from a Transport for Edinburgh Travelshop , where the owner 's picture is incorporated on the card to prevent mis @-@ use . Once purchased , the card can be placed on an on @-@ board reader , which reads the contactless chip in the smartcard . Cards can be credited for a weekly , 4 weekly or annual period . A warning is displayed on the last five days of validity . The card can then be topped up at Transport for Edinburgh Travelshops or Pay Point equipped retailers . 
