First Bus announces game-changing new service to help customers during pandemic

First Bus has announced an important change to its services to help customers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The company is updating its mobile app this week so customers can see the available capacity of each bus near them, as well as the bus’ location.

The new feature has been introduced to help enable social distancing on buses. Measures already in place include markings on seats where passengers can sit.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

First Bus announced the development following its new passenger counting functionality which was introduced at the end of May.

First Bus has said the capacity of buses may be reduced amid coronavirus.First Bus has said the capacity of buses may be reduced amid coronavirus.
First Bus has said the capacity of buses may be reduced amid coronavirus.
Read More
First Bus announces changes to services during pandemic

Data from the system will feed directly to the First Bus app in real time to give passengers up-to-date information.

The company - which operates in Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham and Havant – announced earlier this week it was doubling the number of buses operating across England after lockdown measures were eased.

Passengers are alrerady encouraged to use cashless payments and the app to buy tickets, to reduce the need for contact between customers and drivers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Giles Fearnley, managing director of First Bus, said: ‘We are really proud to have been able to fast-track this technology to ensure safe, informed travel during these difficult times.

‘Our buses provide an essential service for our customers and we are doing all we can to support them.’

Last month Stagecoach South announced drivers would only be accepting contactless payments to help prevent the transmission of coronavirus.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.