First South Yorkshire launches new app so people can see whether there's space on the bus

First Bus will be the first major bus operator to roll out live capacity tracking.

This latest functionality reduces uncertainty for customers and will allow them to make informed decisions in planning an essential journey.

Going live this week, the app update will show customers a bus icon on a map depicting the live location and available capacity of each vehicle in the vicinity.

The innovation has been made possible by First Bus’s new passenger counting functionality, announced at the end of May. Data from this system feeds directly to the First Bus app in real time. This app update coincides with First Bus doubling the number of buses operating across England from Monday 1 June, with support from UK Government.

With social distancing guidance being observed at the same time as lockdown restrictions are being relaxed, this additional capacity function will allow customers the peace of mind to travel in comfort and safely. To further support social distancing, and in addition to passenger counting, seats on each bus are now clearly marked indicating where customers should sit.

Nigel Eggleton, Managing Director of First South Yorkshire said: “We are constantly working on ways to improve the journey experience for our customers and with this latest enhancement of App technology it can help provide safe, informed travel during these difficult times.”