Schoolchildren without smartphones penalised with higher bus fares

The increasing use of digital-only bus passes is penalising lower-income households. The increasing use of digital-only bus passes is penalising lower-income households. Bus fares Schoolchildren without smartphones penalised with higher bus fares Despite guidance keeping mobile phones out of England’s schools, cheaper travel may only be available via an app

Anna Tims Sat 26 Sep 2026 01.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Schoolchildren who do not own smartphones face paying hundreds of pounds extra in annual bus fares as cheaper travel passes are digitised.

Critics argue that by only making discounts available through an app, operators are undermining government guidance to keep mobile phones out of schools.

Adele Kightley’s 11-year-old daughter faces paying an extra £546 a year to get to school because a discount scheme launched by Derbyshire county council is only available via smartphones.