苏格兰乘客抗议巴士公司应用程序差别定价政策

苏格兰居民欧文·弗雷泽撰文批评巴士运营商通过应用程序独家提供月票优惠的做法，指称这种政策对不使用智能手机或特定操作系统的乘客形成了歧视1。根据弗雷泽的投诉，每周巴士票可在车上购买，但月票仅限应用程序独家销售1。他因不使用指定应用程序而每年需额外支出264英镑1。

弗雷泽指出，这一现象反映了更广泛的数字鸿沟问题，违反了公共交通应当保障可及性的基本原则1。他本人使用非标准操作系统以规避Android和iOS的持续连接模式1。类似的差别定价问题并非巴士公司独有，多家超市的忠诚计划也采取仅限应用程序的优惠模式1。值得注意的是，苏格兰22岁以下的儿童和青少年可通过实体国家卡享受免费巴士服务1。

Owen Fraser, a resident of Aberdeen, Scotland, has raised objections to a pricing structure implemented by bus operators that creates a financial penalty for passengers who do not use smartphone applications.1 According to Fraser, while weekly bus tickets remain available for purchase onboard, monthly passes are sold exclusively through a dedicated app, forcing non-app users to pay higher fares.1

The disparity is significant: Fraser reports paying an additional £264 annually due to his refusal to use the standard app, which he attributes to his use of a non-standard operating system to avoid the constant connectivity modes of Android and iOS.1 He argues that this practice exacerbates the digital divide and undermines the accessibility principles that should govern public transportation.1 Meanwhile, young people aged 22 and under in Scotland can access free bus travel through a physical national card,1 a convenience that is not extended to adult passengers who lack smartphone access.

Fraser contends that this problem extends beyond public transit.1 Many supermarket loyalty programs similarly restrict their benefits to app-based access exclusively,1 creating a broader pattern where consumers without smartphones or those choosing alternative devices face systematic financial disadvantages in accessing services and discounts.