Schoolchildren without smartphones penalised with higher bus fares

The Guardian Business Saturday 26 September 2026, 05:00 UTC By Anna Tims 1 min read

Key Points

Despite guidance keeping mobile phones out of England’s schools, cheaper travel may only be available via an appSchoolchildren 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.

Despite guidance keeping mobile phones out of England’s schools, cheaper travel may only be available via an app

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.

England (LOCATION) appSchoolchildren (ORG)

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