Southern Vectis is changing the way under 19s can buy bus tickets for travel across the Isle of Wight – and it’s easier than ever.
The local bus operator’s previous smartcard – theKey – is no longer being developed due to its old technology, so it is being phased out.
Now there is a new way to buy tickets, and it’s proving to be a hit among the Island’s younger bus passengers.
Southern Vectis general manager, Richard Tyldsley, has said:
“We understand that some younger customers were hesitant to use our mobile app because of the verification process required for child (5-16) and young adult (17-18) and student tickets. But we’ve now solved that issue,”
“The whole process has been simplified so that our people can get verified before they even buy their first ticket. And, what’s more, any under 19s downloading our app and completing the verification process before 31 May 2023, have the opportunity to win a whole year’s free travel.
“After downloading the app, getting verified to prove eligibility for these tickets is easy. All our customers need to do is follow a few simple instructions to upload their ID and a selfie, and they’ll usually be all set to travel in 24 hours or less.
“We’re delighted by the response we’ve seen so far from those wishing to switch from theKey to this latest technology. Others wishing to download our app and enter the competition for a year’s free travel can find out more on our website.
Article continues below this advertisement “Parents and guardians are also able to buy tickets for their children and young adults via our website or app and send them directly to their child’s app account.
“Our app offers many other great features – including tracking your bus in live time, planning journeys, and marking regular trips and routes as favourites – so the app can be personalised to each individual.
“And parents don’t have to worry about children and young people not having enough data. Once their ticket has been activated they only need to reconnect to wifi once every 72 hours.”
So assuming all kid’s as young as 5yrs have a smartphone?, just when debate is taking place around changing appropriate age for these smartphones
Most in those age groups will have a smartphone, yes. Maybe 5y olds will not be particularly the biggest group but there’s no denying kids and teens will have smartphones.
And even if you think they shouldn’t use smartphones too much, you can still allow them to have maps, Find My app and this ticket app enabled through parental controls and disable the rest.
When did you last see a 5 year old travelling alone on a bus and paying for their own ticket?
I have a teenage son who quite often has no charge left on his phone or the phone needs to be fixed, for various reasons. Yes, it seems like a good idea, but if the phone is inoperable then the App is useless and I am wasting money then paying the usual fare whilst this is the case (having already forked out about £135 for a 90 day pass). I have voiced my concerns to Southern Vectis, however they are still rolling this out. Currently, unless you sign up to the App, you are paying much more for a plastic Key card. A replacement plastic Key card has also gone up from £5 to £6.50. Commentors on this page will say ‘he’s a teenager and should take responsibility for his phone’, however, it’s not that simple – you have a teenage son!
Simple.
If he doesn’t look after his phone then give him a cheap budget jobbie (£59 Alcatel from Argos). Garbage phone but will work for this.
As this app doesn’t need a data connection, you don’t even need to put a SIM in it.
If you lad wants a better phone he can then wait for Xmas or his birthday and/or save up for it himself. Six months of welding this embarrassing piece of garbage in front of his mates will help him appreciate the decent kit you buy him.
After walking in the cold, and wet, the ‘teenage’ son, will take responsibility far more rapidly.
I’ll stick with the 7 seater, I like many others don’t own a smart phone.
Why do organisations think everyone owns a smart phone.
Many of us pensioners do not.