Coronavirus information
Page updated: 18/04/2022
Please see the website section for your area to see latest service information:
We are doing everything we can to ensure you can travel with confidence, and we have put measures in place to keep our customers safe when travelling on our buses.
People should continue to follow public health measures to protect one another. Government guidance is different in England, Scotland and Wales:
Government guidance in England ⇒
Government guidance in Wales ⇒
Government guidance in Scotland ⇒
Here’s a guide for when you get on board:
Wearing masks
Wearing face coverings on our buses is a personal choice. We encourage everyone to respect fellow passengers and to look out for each other.
Ventilation & Cleaning
We will continue to ensure that all windows are left open for additional ventilation in addition to our enhanced cleaning regime which will remain in place to keep you and others around you safe.
Social distancing
All seats are in use and our buses are at full capacity making sure we can take you where you need to go.
Paying for your journey
Where possible avoid the use of cash and continue to use contactless on board or buy in advance using our mobile app.
- First Bus App: Not only can you buy your tickets in advance, but you can plan your journey, check live bus times, track your bus live on a map. You can see how far the bus is from your stop and how many seats are free. If you haven’t already got it you can download it here. ⇒
- Pay contactless: To avoid handling cash, go contactless and pay either with a contactless card, Google or Apple Pay. More details here. ⇒
Please see here for the latest timetable and service information in your area ⇒
Use the award winning First Bus App. With great travel features to help you move confidently, including buying an mTicket so you don't need to use cash on the bus, journey planning, track your bus live on a map. You can see how far it is from your stop and how many seats are free ⇒At the bus stop
Why not use the First Bus app ⇒ to track where your bus is, and reduce the amount of time you’re waiting at the bus stop.
You can also see how many seats are available on the bus so that you’re confident there is plenty of space to travel, or if you are not time restricted you may wish to catch a later bus which is less busy.
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- When waiting at the stop, space out from fellow passengers.
Wearing face coverings on our buses is a personal choice. We encourage everyone to respect fellow passengers and to look out for each other.
- When the bus arrives, please allow time and space for passengers to leave the bus before you step onboard.
- If you are waiting at a bus stop and the bus drives past, it might have reached its seating capacity. If the bus does stop, but is near capacity, the driver will only allow one person to board for every person that gets off, so make sure to allow extra time for your journey and be prepared to wait. With the latest version of the First Bus App you can now track your bus live on a map and it also displays how many seats are available on each bus.
Get your bus ticket or payment ready, whether it’s activating your mTicket, having your concessionary pass or contactless card out or ensuring you have the right change. It all helps speed up boarding and minimise the time with your driver making it safer for everyone.
On board
- Wearing face coverings on our buses is a personal choice. We encourage everyone to respect fellow passengers and to look out for each other.
We encourage passengers to make cashless payments to avoid cash handling. If you need to use cash, we would be very grateful if you could provide the correct fare for your journey as no change is given (certain operating areas only):
In Glasgow, West Lothian and Aberdeen we operate our services on an exact fare, no change given basis.
- Even if temperatures are low it's really important that windows on the bus remain open to assist air flow. If you get on the bus and notice a window has been closed, please open it to help us maintain this.
- Please be patient while getting on and off and do not queue in the aisle or next to the driver. If you are able, please sit upstairs when possible leaving lower deck seats for those less mobile.
- Please refrain from eating or drinking on board and please take any rubbish with you to assist with keeping our buses as clean as possible.
We are continuing with enhanced cleaning of our vehicles and facilities.
FAQs
General information
Yes, and by working with our customers we will continue to provide a bus network that is safe and allows everyone to complete their journeys. We are continuing with enhanced cleaning of our vehicles to keep you and others around you safe.
All seats are in use and our buses are at full capacity making sure we can take you to where you need to go.
We have an enhanced cleaning regime that includes the use of long-lasting sanitiser.
Yes, we are and there is no government advice currently to stop accepting cash, but please try to use the exact fare. However, we encourage all of our customers to buy tickets using the First Bus App or to pay by contactless card when boarding.
We are asking customers with a pushchair or buggy to consider the travel needs of vulnerable passengers and those in a wheelchair or with restricted mobility. This may mean that you have to leave extra time or wait to complete your journey.
As we operate a number of different buses, there isn’t a single explanation. It’s best to check out the advice about buggies and pushchairs on our website which you will find here https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bus-accessibility
Ventilation
Where air conditioning systems are used on our buses they draw on air from the outside, so keeping a constant fresh flow of air circulating through the vehicle, which helps to keep bus travel safe.
We’re following government guidance to increase ventilation in enclosed spaces; this will apply come rain or shine.
Increasing ventilation helps to reduce the spread of airborne viruses, including Covid, so it’s better for everyone. We understand that drafts can make it feel colder and have modified windows so they can open partially which will lessen the draft created whilst keeping you safe.
We’re grateful to everyone for supporting measures we’re taking to look after each other.
Face coverings and hand-sanitiser
Wearing face coverings on our buses is a personal choice. We encourage everyone to respect fellow passengers and to look out for each other.
We have followed guidance from our industry that customers should bring their own hand sanitiser and the public health advice for everyone to wash their hands regularly.
Social distancing
Our buses have returned to carrying the maximum number of passengers without any restrictions on sitting or standing.
Helpful technology
Yes, our ticket machines will be updated which provides the information into our App.
Ticket machine technology and monitoring passenger trends will help us to enable safe distancing on-board, so where we can, we’ll try to add more vehicles on the busiest routes to provide the best service for necessary journeys.
If you are waiting at a bus stop and the bus drives past or you are not allowed onto a bus, this might be because the bus has reached its seating capacity. If the bus does stop, but is near capacity, the driver will only allow one person to board for every person that gets off, so make sure to allow extra time for your journey and be prepared to wait.
We are asking everyone to assist our drivers by co-operating, which might mean waiting longer to board.
With the latest version of the First Bus App you can now track your bus live on a map and it also displays how many seats are available on each bus.
The app relies on the driver recording passengers boarding and alighting. Drivers are instructed only to record the wheelchair space as being full when it is used by a passenger in a wheelchair, and no change has been made to our policies regarding use of the wheelchair space.
Services/Timetables
Vulnerable customers
We are asking customers to consider the travel needs of vulnerable passengers and those in a wheelchair and will do all we can to prioritise access to the wheelchair space for a wheelchair user.
The app relies on the driver recording passengers boarding and alighting. Drivers are instructed only to record the wheelchair space as being full when it is used by a passenger in a wheelchair, and no change has been made to our policies regarding use of the wheelchair space.
If the wheelchair space is occupied the driver will ask customers to move, which they should do to help us in enabling wheelchair users to travel.
Our drivers will help visually impaired customers at stops, as before, and to assist with access. When 'bus full' is displayed, drivers will continue the journey for the safety of all people on board or at stops..
We're here for you
We’re absolutely committed to being there for our customers, please see our Help and Support page for contact details.
Keeping you updated
To help us communicate quickly and easily with you, register your details with us here:
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Further Travel Advice and Guidance |
| First Bus Covid 19 Risk assessment ⇒ |
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Thank you for your continued support.
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Face coverings
Page updated: 18/04/2022 We are keeping our focus firmly on keeping all of our customers and colleagues safe while travelling with us.
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