Schoolchildren Without Smartphones Face Higher Bus Fares as Passes Go Digital

Schoolchildren in England who do not own a smartphone could face paying hundreds of pounds more each year in bus fares, as operators increasingly move discounted travel passes onto smartphone apps.

The shift comes despite government guidance encouraging schools to keep mobile phones out of the classroom, creating a tension between that policy and the practical need for a smartphone to access cheaper fares.

Critics of the trend argue that by making discounts available only through an app, transport operators are effectively undermining the government's own guidance, since pupils without a suitable device, or without parental permission to carry one at school, may be unable to access the same savings as their peers.

The digitisation of travel passes has been presented by transport providers as a modernisation of ticketing systems, offering convenience and administrative efficiency. However, the reliance on apps raises equity concerns for lower-income families, or those who choose to limit their children's smartphone use, who may end up paying full fare as a result.

The issue highlights a broader challenge facing schools and local authorities as public services and transport systems increasingly digitise, sometimes without accounting for pupils who lack consistent access to smartphones or mobile data.

The original report does not specify which operators or regions are involved, nor whether the Department for Education or transport authorities have directly responded to the criticism. It remains unclear whether any alternative, non-app-based discount options are being considered.