Go-Ahead and tech partner Passenger have announced the successful launch of 17 passenger-facing apps in the space of five weeks, the supplier’s largest roll out of apps in such a space of time. It comes after their partnership was announced in January 2021.
The Go-Ahead owned operators which have launched the new apps include Brighton and Hove and Metrobus; Go East Anglia including Hedingham and Chambers, Konectbus and Norwich Park and Ride; Go South Coast and its subsidiaries Unibus, Unilink, Southern Vectis, Salisbury Reds, Swindon’s Bus Company, Morbus and Bluestar; Go South West including Go Cornwall Bus and Plymouth Citybus; Go North East; Go North West; Oxford Bus Company; and Carousel Buses.
Each app includes a journey planning solution for customers, ticket purchase and real-time journey information, live departure boards and a capacity checker as each bus approaches a stop. Passengers are also given a new step count feature and carbon emissions calculator to demonstrate the positive impact of bus travel.
The launch of the new apps will be followed by eight new websites for the Go-Ahead Group in July. Each of the Group’s Passenger-powered apps and websites will integrate web-to-mobile eCommerce, which means customers will be able to buy tickets on the web and use them instantly within the app.
“It’s really important that our customers are able to plan their journeys, book tickets and check when their bus is arriving quickly and easily,” says  Go-Ahead Chief Strategy and Customer Officer Katy Taylor. “This helps them to feel in control of their time and to travel safely. We look forward to welcoming customers back as restrictions ease and helping people connect with their friends and family and colleagues.”
Adds Tom Quay, Passenger CEO: “As we emerged from lockdown, we knew we needed to work quickly to help operators show people they don’t need to rely on their cars for a safe, efficient way to travel. Working with a large operator such as Go-Ahead is incredibly exciting and our businesses are very aligned in our ambitions for growth in public transport.
“The Go-Ahead Group apps launch marks our largest roll-out of apps in such a short space of time. We’re delighted to have successfully achieved this to accommodate close to one million travellers across the country. We love working with operators who embrace change and that’s evidenced in such a huge roll-out, as the first stage of what will be an incredible partnership.”
