The feature enables parents and guardians to pay for transport securely via their banking app, bypassing traditional card networks. For Transport Providers managing high volumes of transactions, this delivers immediate cost savings, improved revenue certainty and reduced back-office workload.

How it works

1️⃣ Customers access a ticket listing on the ShuttleID Passenger Portal. After entering the passenger details, the user will be asked to select their bank from a list.

2️⃣ Hitting confirm & pay temporarily reserves a ticket and takes the user to their bank app/website where they approve the payment to the Transport Provider. Details of who to pay and how much are predefined and cannot be altered.

3️⃣ After approving the payment, the user returns to the ShuttleID Passenger Portal and is issued their ticket.

Why this is a big deal

✅ Save 66% in processing fees: With fees as low as 0.5% + 20p, Pay By Bank is 66% cheaper than card payments and 50% cheaper than direct debit.

✅ Bank transfers but better: Risk of transferring to the wrong account or for the incorrect amount are eliminated.

✅ Automated and instant: Tickets are issued immediately after the payment is approved at their bank.

✅ Fraudulent chargeback protection: As payments are authorised within the customer's bank, Transport Providers are protected from fraudulent or mistaken chargebacks.

✅ Faster refunds: Refunds are processed in 1 business day. Card payments can take 5-10 business days to clear.

✅ Queue jumping solved: Parents benefit from a temporary reservation on the platform allowing them time to complete their order, removing risk of being queue jumped and having to deal with awkward refunds if capacity is reached.

Reflecting a market shift

The move follows the introduction of Pay By Bank in recent weeks by major online brands including Amazon and eBay, signalling growing mainstream adoption of open banking payments.

ShuttleID Director, Chris Bell, commented on the launch: “Open banking was used by a third of UK adults in 2025 and it’s clear that usage and availability of open banking payment methods are only set to grow further.”

“Pay By Bank transaction fees are 0.5% + 20p and typically a whole percentage point lower than card fees. We feel it is the right time to enable Transport Providers to benefit from this additional payment method, and the savings in transaction fees this unlocks.”

The launch of Pay By Bank complements existing payment methods of card and direct debit on the ShuttleID platform. The feature is available to Transport Providers on an opt-in basis. More information about Pay By Bank can be requested by contacting ShuttleID at info@shuttleid.uk or calling 0333 344 9868.

About the author

Chris Bell is a director at ShuttleID; the affordable, digital bus pass and ticketing system that keeps you in control.

During a 20 year career in technology, Chris worked on many systems for coach companies and saw the issues of managing home-to-school first hand, leading to the launch of ShuttleID in 2019.

Email: info@shuttleid.uk | Phone: 0333 344 9868