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Smartphone-only school bus discounts could cost some families £546 a year
A Derbyshire discount program for under-18 passengers requires registering a bus pass through an app, even though guidance discourages mobile phones in schools.
Schoolchildren who do not own smartphones may end up paying substantially higher annual bus fares in England as some discounted travel passes shift to digital only, the Guardian Business reports.
According to the outlet, Derbyshire county council launched a discount scheme that can leave one parent facing an extra £546 per year for an 11-year-old daughter because discount eligibility is tied to app registration.
The outlet also notes that Trentbarton bus fares for those aged 18 and under are capped at £1.50 for single trips, but users must register their card with an app to qualify.
Critics cited by the Guardian Business argue that requiring app access undermines government guidance to keep mobile phones out of schools.