Sm@rtBus vs TravelMaster
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sm@rtBus
This app provides real-time bus arrival information for your local bus stop. It displays scheduled times, bus numbers, destinations, and actual arrival times for the next hour. It also offers audible announcements for visually impaired users, enhancing accessibility.
- Real-time bus arrival information
- Next bus predictions within the hour
- Bus number, destination, and scheduled time
- Audible announcements for visually impaired users
- Clear, easy-to-read visual display
- No additional subscription charges
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SmartBus is a discrete addition to bus stops that provides real-time information for people waiting to catch a bus. A small box containing the electronics is banded to the top of the pole and transmits information to a person waiting to catch a bus, via the SmartBus App. The App gives real-time information for the next buses due to arrive at the bus stop within the hour. It gives the name of the bus stop, the scheduled time of the bus, along with its number, destination and actual time of arrival. For visually Impaired people it audibly announces the information to them for example “April Close Bus Stop, The time now is 13:31. The 13:32 bus number 425 to Oldham at 13:32 is expected at 13:32” This completely enhances the lives of Visually Impaired people and allows them to catch a bus as easily as everyone else. At a fraction of the price of other RTI systems and with no additional subscription charges to the end user or Local Authority/Bus service provider SmartBus is the solution to total inclusivity. It has a clear, easy to read visual display providing the information required regarding buses due in the next hour at the bus stop. Having the information audible for Visually Impaired people can completely enhance their lives for something sighted people merely take for granted.
TravelMaster
This app simplifies public transport by allowing users to buy tickets and manage smartcards for various regional providers. It syncs purchased tickets and displays existing ones with expiry dates, offering integrated travel solutions.
- Buy tickets for multiple providers
- Sync smartcards
- View ticket expiry dates
- Integrated travel solutions
- Regional transport provider support
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The App can be used to buy tickets and sync your TravelMaster, Zoom and Stagecoach smartcards all in one place. CityBus, CityWide, SYBus, SYConnect, SYConnect+, GetAbout, GetAbout+ and Wayfarer tickets are all available to buy via the App. Syncing your smartcard will add any tickets bought on the App or our website. It will also show what tickets along with their expiry dates already loaded to your card. At TravelMaster, we aim to provide South Yorkshire and Derbyshire with great value and simplified ways to use public transport. We work with all of the region’s transport providers to bring you some of the UK's lowest-priced, and most advanced, integrated travel tickets. This App is the next step in transforming travel in the region.
Screenshots
Verdict
Sm@rtBus and TravelMaster are too close to call on the numbers: across 8 compared parameters — price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sm@rtBus ships an update every 2 months, TravelMaster every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sm@rtBus | TravelMaster |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 75 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Stephen Pearson | TravelMaster |
Customer experience
Sm@rtBus
TravelMaster
In-app purchases
Sm@rtBus
No in-app purchases
TravelMaster
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sm@rtBus free?
Is TravelMaster free?
Do Sm@rtBus or TravelMaster have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sm@rtBus or TravelMaster?
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