Transport Scot Pass Collect

[Buzby]

This one slipped under my radar (and I don’t believe it has been covered here). The above named app is available on the Apple and Google app stores and developed by Transport Scotland. Apparently, it allows users to ‘load’ their concession card onto their phone and use it for travel. For those Island-based users they can also download ferry tickets that connect to the mainland. It seems to promote the under 21’s concession more, probably to allow their NFC handset to be used instead of the Saltire (NEC) card.

The app comments seem full of complaints as the Senior users can scan their card and see the data, but not store it for any meaningful use (I was hoping to load mine to my watch). The last update was November 25 and nothing since, so perhaps it’s all gone pear-shaped, along with the promised multi-modal COP card?

For more, see the ‘launch’ press release issued all of 4 years ago! Transport Scot Pass Collect

 

[kkong]

This app does not enable you to use your phone for transport as a replacement for the physical NEC.

It is designed to load eligible persons' 16-21 free bus travel entitlement onto an existing NEC using the phone's NFC capability.

As time goes on, the app will become less useful, with each newly-issued NEC for young persons having the bus entitlement loaded before delivery.

 

[Buzby]

Do you mean to the ‘Young Scot’ card? SPT stated back in the day that the ubiquitous mobile would be able to load the SaltireCard elegibility. It already allows the card to be read but not recalled, so it is there, almost. I’m unsure why anyone 16-21 would have a physical NEC without the bus travel element in place.

 

[kkong]

I’m unsure why anyone 16-21 would have a physical NEC without the bus travel element in place.

Because many NECs were issued to children in the years before the 16-21 bus travel scheme started in January 2022.

The point of the app is to allow these NECs to be updated with the phone for such cardholders, rather than replacing the physical cards.

From the start of the article which you linked:

The new mobile application, ‘Transport Scot Pass Collect’, lets people aged 16-21, who already have a Young Scot National Entitlement Card (NEC) or non-Young Scot branded NEC, to transfer free bus travel onto their NEC card, without having to apply for a replacement card. The app is now available on Google and Apple stores.

 

[Buzby]

Perpetuating the ‘wallet of plastic cards’ ? Why is this even a concept in 2026? Since they’re already half way there to loading on a mobile and dispensing with cards, it shames odd not to embrace it now and especially if the free for all concept makes headway after the election.

 

[blimmo]

Perpetuating the ‘wallet of plastic cards’ ? Why is this even a concept in 2026? Since they’re already half way there to loading on a mobile and dispensing with cards, it shames odd not to embrace it now and especially if the free for all concept makes headway after the election.

I suspect this is due to the way ITSO works (these are ITSO cards right?). Loading to a card requires an internet connection while reading doesn't.

 

[TUC]

I suspect this is due to the way ITSO works (these are ITSO cards right?). Loading to a card requires an internet connection while reading doesn't.

But the loading would take place via the user's own mobile/wifi connection, wouldn't it?

 

[Buzby]

SPT already allows loading of ITSO cards using their TVMs at Subway stations, ant just the Zone Cards but Concession card users get discounted (not free) Subway travel, and the TVM allows a ‘purse’ on the Saltire/NEC card to be funded prior to travel.