Several British bus operators have implemented digital-only discount schemes for young passengers, creating financial penalties for schoolchildren whose families have chosen not to provide them with smartphones. The b_line card, launched by Derbyshire county council and operated by trentbarton buses, caps single fares at £1.50 for those aged 18 and under, but requires users to register through a mobile application to access the discount. One parent reported that her 11-year-old daughter would face an additional £546 annually in bus fares due to this requirement.
Trentbarton stated that its ticketing machines are not currently configured to read the council-issued cards directly, though the company indicated it is developing a physical card solution to provide discounted fares for under-19s regardless of payment method. The operator noted that young people without smartphones continue to receive some discounts off adult fares through alternative payment methods in the interim period. Regional operators including Stagecoach and Compass have similarly implemented app-dependent discount structures.
Critics contend that app-only fare systems undermine government policy and disproportionately affect lower-income families. Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of the campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood, noted that over 200,000 parents have committed to delaying smartphone provision until age 14 or later, yet essential services remain designed assuming universal device ownership. The Department for Education clarified that recently enacted legislation banning mobile phones in schools does not cover device use during transit, leaving app-based fares a matter for individual operators.
Government and transit officials have been urged to align policies by ensuring all children can access identical fares regardless of smartphone ownership. The issue highlights broader tensions between efforts to restrict children’s screen time and the increasing digitisation of public services.
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