First plans text service for bus and train times

Published on Sunday 19 September 2004 01:17

FIRSTGROUP is to launch a ‘frequent traveller’ club for passengers on the ScotRail train franchise as part of an investment in new technology designed to encourage greater use of public transport.

The Aberdeen-based firm takes control of the ScotRail network on October 17, in a move which will transform it into the UK’s largest bus and train operator.

Moir Lockhead, First’s chief executive, revealed he plans to install new technology in the firm’s Scottish bus and train network that will allow passengers to use mobile phone text messages to find out if their services are running on time.

Passengers signed up to the frequent traveller club will be automatically alerted to delays to the services they regularly use via either e-mail or text messages.

Lockhead said: "We’ve got a trial system set up in Leicester where you can find out if the buses or trains are running to time before you leave the house or the office. This text messaging system will be part of our investment in buses and trains in Scotland.

"You’ll be able to get into the system and find out if everything is going according to plan before you leave the house or the office.

"You can also do it from your mobile phone. You’ll be able to ring the bus stop and find out if it’s running to time, or if it’s five minutes, 10 minutes late.

"Our research tells us that the thing that puts people off travelling by public transport is the uncertainty of when the bus or train is going to arrive. If you can remove that uncertainty by seeing for yourself that, yes, the system is working, that makes it much more attractive."

Lockhead said work has already begun on introducing it to the Scottish network. He also plans to use the system to help tighten the links with park and ride services, in an attempt to encourage more people out of their cars.

He expects the frequent traveller club - which has yet to be named - to be fully operational inside 12 months.

Lockhead said: "We’ll put you on a mailing list so that if there’s a problem you’ll get an e-mail or a text - because we want you to know about it, to help you plan round it."