Space Checker tool allows First passengers to check if bus will be busy

First Bus has created Space Checker to allow passengers to see when their service is typically at its busiest and choose a quieter time to travel should they want to.

The online tool uses the latest passenger data to predict how much space there will be on your bus at your stop, depending on the time of day for up to seven days in advance.

Martin Hirst, commercial director of First West Yorkshire and York, said: “I am delighted to launch this latest innovation for our customers. It should prove a really useful tool that will help customers to make informed decisions about the best times of the day to travel.”

First's new Space Checker

The company hopes it will help to relieve capacity for key workers, who are restricted to more regular travel patterns, and do not have the option of avoiding busier times.

Customers simply select which bus service they want to take, select the direction in which they are travelling and then select their stop. Space Checker will then indicate the busiest periods for the service and stop, whilst also providing alternative services from that stop.

This latest innovation from First Bus follows the recent introduction of a live seat and wheelchair capacity tracker on the First Bus app, industry-leading social distancing seat markings and enhanced, long-lasting anti-viral cleaning regimes all designed to give customers safety and confidence to get back to bus.

Space Checker can be found at spacechecker.firstgroup.com/bradford.