A new digital-only bus fare discount scheme in Derbyshire has sparked criticism for effectively penalizing students who do not own smartphones. The 'b_line' card program, which caps single fares at £1.50 for passengers aged 18 and under on trentbarton buses, requires users to register and access the discount exclusively through a mobile application.

Parents have reported that the lack of a physical card alternative forces families to pay full fare prices, leading to substantial annual cost increases. One parent, Adele Kightley, noted that her 11-year-old daughter faces an additional £546 in annual travel costs due to the requirement. Critics of the policy point out a contradiction between local government initiatives and national educational guidance. While the UK government has issued guidance encouraging schools to restrict or ban smartphone use during the day, the council’s reliance on app-based discounts forces students to carry the devices to secure affordable transport.

While the council and bus operators have moved toward digitization to streamline ticketing, the transition has left students without personal devices—or those whose parents prefer they not carry them—at a financial disadvantage. The situation highlights the tension between the push for digital efficiency in public services and the practical realities of students who are being discouraged from using the very technology required to access these services.