The new website, a desktop version of the bus company’s mobile app, has been supported by Scottish Borders Council and part funded by Paths for All, a Scottish charity whose match funding programme Smarter Choice, Smarter Places promotes smarter ways to travel.
To encourage people to be more active in their travel choices, the bus company customised its website to offer the same functionality as its Borders Buses mobile app. The website also includes a “Things to do” section which provides details of the quickest and easiest ways to travel by bus to local events, attractions and walking routes.
Sharon Morrison, commercial manager at Borders Buses, said: “We are excited to launch our new website and hope customers make full use of its live functions.
“There are many people out there who want to use the bus, but don’t know how, when and where to find or use it. Our website (and app) offers a simple guide to bus travel. It takes you through each step of the process; from planning your trip, buying your ticket, getting you to the bus stop to tracking the bus.
“The information available on the website couldn’t be any easier and the tracking of the bus, we feel, reinforces customer confidence in service reliability. We strongly hope it can play a part in getting more people active, out of cars and on to buses.”
Councillor Shona Haslam, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “I am delighted the council has supported the new Borders Buses website.
“We recently had the introduction of the innovative bike friendly buses to the X62 service and the launch of the new Borders Explorer train-bus joint ticket which have both been well received. Alongside the new website, it is now easier than ever for locals and visitors to travel and discover our stunning area this summer.”
Graham McQueen, open fund senior development officer at Path for All, said: "Paths for All is delighted to offer match funding to such an innovative project. The real time functionality of the website will provide customers with added confidence on bus reliability whilst its journey planner will help locals and tourist find their way about the area by bus.”
“The Smarter Choices Smarter Places Fund is set up to encourage people to travel more sustainability for their everyday journeys and this is exactly the type of project that will help achieve that aim.”
The website was created by Passenger, a Bournemouth based technology company.
Passenger founder Tom Quay, added: “'It’s great to be building on the strong relationship we have with Borders Buses to deliver the live buses functionality to their customers, both for their new website and the Borders Buses app.
“Since the Transport Focus findings on young people’s relationship with buses, it’s further demonstrated young people want to follow their bus along the route and view it ‘live’.
“We think this solution is going to improve user experience and encourage more Borders Buses customers to catch the bus, with the confidence of knowing where their bus is.”
https://www.bordersbuses.co.uk/
