Bus firm tracking app can aid safer travel

Bus passengers in Aberdeen can now see how full their next journey may be before they board.

First Bus has rolled out an update to its app to help customers with social distancing during the pandemic.

It means people waiting for a bus can now track the location of each vehicle on a map and, by clicking on the bus’s icon, they can be told how many seats are still available on it.

The transport operator has made a number of changes to keep people safe while they travel in recent weeks.

This has included marking off certain seats and indicating to passengers exactly where they should sit to ensure they are adequately spaced apart.

It has also been encouraging the use of cashless payments and buying tickets through its app to reduce the need for contact between customers and drivers.

First Bus is the first transport operator in the country to roll out the technology, which is based on passengercounting functionality it announced last month.

It says the new capability will help passengers travel in “comfort and safety” as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.

Andrew Jarvis, First Aberdeen managing director, 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.”

The app update is currently live for Apple users and will be available on Android phones from Monday.