This is the part that makes my blood pressure spike. The government is strongly encouraging everyone to move to a digital pass by October 2026. But if you don’t have a smartphone—or if you’re like my Auntie Brenda who only uses her phone to ‘accidentally’ call her grandson—you can still get a physical card.
You just have to apply for it in writing. Yes, a letter. On paper. With a stamp. It’s 2026 and they want you to send a pigeon to the council. Honestly, just bite the bullet and ask a teenager to set up the app for you. It’s less painful than writing a letter to a robot.
And here’s a little secret: the digital pass will have a “Find My Bus Pass” feature. If you lose it, you just ping your phone and your bus pass screams “I’m over here!” from your sofa cushions. Perfect for anyone who has ever spent 40 minutes looking for their glasses while wearing them.
