Stagecoach is launching a new smartphone “busy bus” indicator to help customers plan their journeys as services increase across the country now lockdown restrictions have started to ease.

The new feature will use extensive data and artificial intelligence to provide a traffic light indicator to help customers choose quieter services and help maintain social distancing.

The app is now being rolled out to iOS and android users and is planned to be fully in place by 18th June.

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

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

Customers will also be able to see where their bus is on the map and its estimated time of arrival, providing all the information they need at their fingertips.

This new feature is the latest addition in an extensive range of measures by Stagecoach to help customers feel confident in using buses as they continue to provide a vital link to work, retail and leisure facilities.

Stagecoach is continuing to increase capacity on bus services to support social distancing.

Strict cleaning regimes continue for all buses, which includes at least a daily clean of all buses with an anti-viral sanitiser.

Contactless payment is also available on all buses.

The latest UK government advice states that everybody travelling on public transport from 15th June must wear a face covering.

Carla Stockton-Jones, Interim Managing Director UK for Stagecoach, 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.

“Buses continue to play a vital role in connecting people with work and leisure facilities. At a time when people across the country are starting to be reunited with friends and family, this investment in new technology will help to ensure that people can be completely prepared and confident in using our services.”

For more information, visit the Stagecoach website.