Changes to Brighton bus student tickets in clampdown

Apprentices and students will need to complete an in-app process before they can activate student tickets purchased via Brighton and Hove Buses’ mobile app.

The new verified tickets launched today, but unverified tickets will continue to be offered until September 30.

The process aims to ensure only those eligible for student tickets are using them.

A spokesman for the company said: “It is really important that we ensure that only those who are entitled to the discounts are using them.

“This helps us protect students and apprentices from having to pay more in the future, which we know is important to you.”

Students at the city's universities and colleges will need to submit a form of ID and a picture of themselves before they can use student tickets via the bus company's app (Image: Flickr/TimBrighton)

Students will have to take a selfie or upload a photo of themselves, along with evidence that they are a student or apprentice, onto the app after purchasing a ticket.

Verification is expected to take roughly 24 hours, but could take longer at busier times.

The process will only need to be completed once, with students able to purchase tickets without re-verification until the expiry date on their ID card.

Student ID cards and other documents accepted by the app include a Brighton MET ID card or an enrolment letter to Brighton MET with photo ID, a Chichester College registration letter with college ID, an ISIC card, a University of Brighton ID card or a student confirmation letter to the University of Brighton with photo ID, a University of Sussex ID card or a registration letter to the University of Sussex with photo ID, and a Varndean ID card or a registration letter to Varndean with photo ID.

The company had previously asked those using student tickets to carry proof of their status while travelling.