ShuttleID Introduces Brick Phone-Compatible Bus Tickets, Leading the Way in Smartphone-Free Travel for Students

LEEDS, UK. October 11th, 2024 – ShuttleID, a leading school bus ticketing platform, has introduced a new digital bus ticket that is compatible with most “brick” phones, responding to the growing adoption of basic mobile devices by parents of school children. This development aligns with an emerging societal trend of reducing smartphone use, particularly among younger students.

Amid increasing concerns over the impact of smartphones on children’s education and behaviour, calls for smartphone restrictions have been gaining momentum. Earlier this year, the UK’s Commons Education Committee recommended that the government consider a total ban on smartphones for children under 16. This follows similar measures in other countries where smartphone bans have already been implemented in schools.

In the UK, schools and parents are increasingly advocating for alternatives. A parent-led initiative, signed by families from over 8,000 schools, aims to delay the introduction of smartphones until year 9. Schools have also begun recommending “brick” phones—basic mobile devices without internet access or apps—for younger students as part of these efforts.

In response to this shift, ShuttleID has developed a digital bus ticket that can function on nearly all “brick” phones, offering a further solution for transport operators to accommodate students who do not use smartphones. The technology utilises QR codes that are displayed on the brick phone’s screen and scanned by the bus driver’s device. ShuttleID’s development team has identified multiple ways to transfer these tickets onto brick phones, despite varying hardware limitations. This innovation enables passengers to use bus tickets in a printed format, on smartphones, or on brick phones.

Chris Bell, Director at ShuttleID, commented: “As the conversation around smartphone use and its effects on children continues, we recognise the growing importance of offering alternatives. The school commute is one area where smartphones may have previously been viewed as essential. Our ‘Brickets’ solution enables transport operators, schools, and local authorities to support the adoption of brick phones among school children. This innovation ensures that operators can accommodate all types of bus tickets, offering greater inclusivity and flexibility in school transport systems.”

ShuttleID will showcase its new “Brickets” solution alongside its full range of ticketing services at the Euro Bus Expo from 12-14 November. For more information, visit shuttleid.uk.