New app will help Fifers find quieter buses to maintain social distancing

Fifers can use a new app to help them socially distance when travelling by bus.

The new online platform, launched by Stagecoach, will also provide an easy guide to quieter buses to help them plan their journeys.

The app is now being rolled out to iOS and android users and is planned to be fully in place next week via the app store and Google Play platforms.

The “busy bus” tracker will provide a regularly updated guide to how busy individual bus services are in networks across the UK.

It is part of a comprehensive package of safety measures in place to help people travel in confidence as lockdown restrictions start to ease.

Each service in the live map on the app will be colour coded, with quieter buses showing in a green bus icon indicating ‘not too busy’, through to amber ‘quite busy’ and dark amber ‘very busy’.

Customers can also see where their bus is on the map and when it will be arriving, providing all the information they need at their fingertips.

The new feature is the latest addition in an extensive range of measures by Stagecoach to help customers feel confident in using buses.

The company is also increasing capacity on bus services to support social distancing and continuing with a strict cleaning regime which includes at least a daily clean of all buses with an anti-viral sanitiser. Contactless payment is also available.

The latest UK government advice states that everybody travelling on public transport from Monday must wear a face covering.

Carla Stockton-Jones, interim managing director, said: “We are pleased to be welcoming more people back onto our buses as things start to open up around the country.

“We have already put a range of extra measures in place to make sure our customers feel confident in using our services, including strict cleaning regimes and social distancing measures, which we know are the biggest priorities for travellers.

“The launch of our new busy bus indicator is an extra step to give people an easy, at a glance guide on the best times to travel and to plan their journeys to avoid busier times.”

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