New app can tell Falkirk commuters if the next bus is too full to stop

First Bus hope the app will reduce uncertainty for customers and allow them to make informed decisions about their essential journeys.

The app, which went live this week, shows customers a bus icon on a map depicting the live location and available capacity of each vehicle in the vicinity. This new functionality will provide customers with the information they need as the bus approaches.

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.

Andrew Jarvis, managing director of First Bus in Scotland, 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.”

To further support social distancing, and in addition to passenger counting, seats on each bus are now clearly marked indicating where customers should sit.

First Bus also continues to encourage cashless payments, and use of the app to purchase mTickets to reduce the need for contact between customers and drivers.

The new app is available to download on the Apple app store and and will be available on Android app stores from Monday.

Visit www.firstgroup.com for more information.