Technology offers real opportunities for bus operators and passengers alike.
The increasing convergence between travel, information and telecommunications is generating a diverse range of business opportunities. Technology is playing a central role in shaping the bus industry of the 21st century offering many better and new opportunities for integrating transport. FirstGroup has been working for some time to contribute towards a national passenger telephone enquiry service and most of its bus operating subsidiaries have websites available providing details of services across their operating area. Some of the local websites already provide journey planners as part of the service and others provide real time passenger information. In November, FirstGroup launched the first online bus season ticket website that aims to bring convenience, greater choice and flexibility to its customers.