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Why should I have to pay more for buses if I don't use a smartphone?

66 points · 89 comments · DamonHD

  1. unified101 · · focus · HN ↗
    The actual answer is there's operational cost to handling cash, or payment methods beyond the ones that cover 99.9% people well. You pay more for the extra hassle the whole system has to serve that .1%

    You may not like or disagree with it. But it's the true answer.

    1. graemep · · focus · HN ↗
      There are operational issues with phones (e.g. batteries running out).

      This has nothing to do with handling cash. It is to do with the elimination of paper tickets for monthly passes. Where I live you can pay cash for one off tickets, but they refuse to sell you paper monthly tickets.

      1. KellyCriterion · · focus · HN ↗
        why are they so focussed on "monthyl paper tickets"? are these any different to daily paper tickets?
        1. AstroJetson · · focus · HN ↗
          Yes, they are good for a month and you get the monthly rate which can be much less than the daily rate. In my area the difference is about 20%
          1. graemep · · focus · HN ↗
            Its even greater where I live for some people. My daughter was able to get a young person's tickets last year for unlimited bus travel within the county (not sure whether it was all bus companies, or just the biggest) for £80/month whereas individual fares were more quite a lot than that each just into town and back on weekdays.
            1. compton · · focus · HN ↗
              I don't think Kelly is asking for the price advantages of paying monthly.... I think they're asking why are bus companies so hot and bothered about not selling paper monthly tickets when they don't apparently object to selling paper daily tickets?
              1. graemep · · focus · HN ↗
                I think the regulator might have something to do with it. They might also be less keen on selling the less profitable discounted tickets.
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