to think this new arrangement re bus fares is unfair?

[EmotionallyWeird]

I live in an area where most of the buses are operated by Stagecoach. For the last few years (since I started my current job which is too far to walk) I've bought a monthly travel card. At first it was a physical piece of cardboard and you had to get a new one every month, then it became a smart card (which looks like a debit card) which you had to top up online.

Today I found out that the system is changing again and when my current top-up expires, it will only be possible to buy an in-app version of the weekly or monthly cards, which you have to show on your phone. This doesn't really affect me as I can cope with the change, although I would rather it had stayed the same. But not everybody wants to carry a phone all the time, not everybody has a smartphone, and not everybody who has one has their own data - some just use WiFi when they can get on it (which you can't on the buses in this area). Does anyone else think that making this new system compulsory is rather unfair, as it will force some people to make a lifestyle change they might not otherwise have wanted to (or pay more for their travel by buying single or day tickets)?

They are looking at the majority.

There’s no need to bank cash, count cash etc

I do think they could use both for at least a while!

This could be said for most technology roll outs. I find it hard to believe anyone who uses a monthly or annual travel pass doesn’t have a smart phone or have data

Technology moves on. Would you rather a switch to an app or a fare increase?

I xant believe there's anyone with a smartphone that doesn't gave data included.

I do think phasing out a physical card is difficult. My dd get the bus to college (over an hour each way) and a full day. If her battery dues she can't show her pass. Luckily this has only happened once and they gave her the benefit of the doubt. I find it a risky solution.

My mother doesn’t!

Although I keep telling her to change her SIM. She’s had the same pay as you go SIM for about 20 years and she won’t change it for something better. She does have a smart phone though.

But I think it’s her fault for not keeping up, we try to help her but she’s just so set in her ways. She drives though, only uses the bus occasionally.

My Dad is completely different though. He uses technology.

I don't think they'll be able to phase out free bus passes, especially the over 60s passes since the government provides them. What happens if your phone dies or gets stolen

A small power bank would be the obvious solution, if she has no access to a power socket at any time during the day.

You don't need data to open the QR code & scan it on the bus. We have it in a very rural area with zero 4g/5g & it still works.

It really is no more risky. Learn to be responsible and keep your phone charged is no more difficult than to learn to be responsible and don’t lose your card/ticket

She can keep the payg and her number, but I guarantee she can get a cheaper deal that includes data.

I xant believe there's anyone with a smartphone that doesn't gave data included.

I have a family member who doesn't have a deal with data and only uses WiFi. They are young and not a technophobe, they just don't feel they need data. Fortunately for them, they don't need a travelcard.

I ran out of data one month when I'd been faffing about on the internet a bit too much while out and about. I chose not to buy some more, thinking it would be a lesson to me. I'll have to be extra careful that doesn't happen again when my new online ticket comes into force!

To the person who said they don't want to handle cash - I think you can still buy a single ticket or even a day ticket with cash, although they "prefer" contactless.

My sister has a pay as you go on a motorola - not a smartphone!

You don’t usually need data to show passes. I have a railcard and just have to open the app to show it. That said, I know a few people who choose not to have smart phones, some older, some kids travelling to school whose parents don’t want them to have one, but also other ages

Of course she bloody can- but she won’t. I thought was obvious from my post. She won’t change anything, that’s my point. Doesn’t matter what we tell her.

Let’s be honest here. 99% of people now have smart phones. Most people i know in their 80s have one and do just fine

I agree with you OP. We are on holiday this week and using those stafecoach plastic cards as its raining a lot. The stagecoach app goes down and it's a faff to have the correct page showing on your phone as you get on. Plus phone could go flat etc

I don't take my phone out if I go down the shops because I don't need it, it would be a nuisance to have to take it out everywhere to use some app

I have a large new iPhone but I rarely take it out of the house, it's quite big and cumbersome. I use it a lot at home as it connects all my other Apple devices

No cash involved in the current card system.

@EmotionallyWeird I have just had to get a disability card for the bus as (per my user name I had a stroke) & it was a choice of physical card or one sent to my phone.

i chose the card as it's easier to manage. I'm only 55 & my phone comes everywhere with me BUT it's much more difficult to use for things like this (as I have limited use of my dominant hand & when standing it's difficult to get my phone out, do what you need to to display the 'pass' & put it away - so I can hold on to walk to a seat without dropping my phone- it's either/or with 1 functioning hand!!)

it's a situation I wouldn't have really thought would be a problem in a (relatively) 'young' person, well used to third phone, but it is.

There are lots of disabled/elderly people who will struggle, even if they do use their phone a lot at home.

So if you do decide to contact them. That's an additional angle you can add. As although it might not affect any/many now if it's only the monthly cards, it may affect it if they're planning on doing it for disabled/pension cards too.

I take mine because I used it to pay. Saves taking cards and cash.

What about teens? Our school from September is banning smartphones, this is one if the concerns raised by parents but they aren't listening to compromise by offering pouches etc. Its a brick phone allowed only.

that is so frustrating op, i agree

But as I said, even if they do have a phone they use sitting down at home, they may find it difficult to use standing on the bus & may not want to be getting their phone out.

A lot of older people do the same. Unfashionable for many younger people who would never leave the house without theirs.

My phone battery is shit. If I needed my phone to get home I would have to take a charger with me and ensure there was somewhere I could charge it.

You could get really stuck relying on having a phone to use the bus. It's pretty shortsighted tbh and plenty of people don't have phones or find it inconvenient to use them everywhere.