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