The September trap: why you shouldn't buy a monthly pass for students
In September of this year, students are expected to have only 14 school days due to the Tishrei holidays. Purchasing single tickets will save 30% for students who study on Fridays and 40% for those who do not study on Fridays.
Parents, do not rush to purchase a monthly pass for your child ahead of the start of the school year: purchasing a monthly pass contract for students at the beginning of September could cost parents an unnecessary extra tens of percent — this is according to a check by Moovit-Pango. Hundreds of thousands of students returning to school next week travel to educational institutions daily using public transport. For many families, children's travel arrangements constitute a fixed expense item within the back-to-school budget.
However, September this year is characterized by a low number of actual school days due to the timing of the Tishrei holidays. Thus, it turns out that students have only 14 school days this month. A check by public transport payment apps Moovit and Pango shows that there is a significant gap in favor of paying for single trips during this month. Children and youth up to age 18 are entitled to a "youth profile," which grants them a permanent 50% discount on the price of a single trip as well as on periodic contracts.
The price of a monthly bus pass for a student currently stands at 157.5 NIS, and the cost of a single trip is 4 NIS. The total sum of trips will amount to only 112 NIS — a saving of about 30% compared to the price of the monthly pass. Students who do not study on Fridays and are required to reach school are expected to have only 12 school days — and the gap is larger. The cumulative cost of trips will be only 96 NIS — a saving of about 40% compared to the monthly subscription. It should be noted that in full months, such as October, in which there are between 19 and 23 school days, the monthly pass contract becomes more cost-effective again.
"Using apps for payment in public transport allows students to move around comfortably and efficiently, during the school period and holidays, while providing an economical and simple solution that eases the burden on parents and students alike. The innovative method offers a smart and convenient solution that combines financial savings with peace of mind, without unnecessary monthly hassle of loading cards, dealing with losses, or receiving refunds," said Eyal Ziv, CEO of Moovit and Pango.
