Public transport app and website provider Passenger has announced that Guildford-based operator Safeguard Coaches is the 50th operator to sign up to its national app and website solution, myTrip.
myTrip was launched in October 2020 to help smaller UK bus operators support safe social distancing and transform their services to accommodate changing customer needs. This year, its ongoing operator onboarding has coincided with the launch of many bus improvement plans across the country, which form a mandatory part of the Government’s National Bus Strategy.
In the space of nine months, Passenger said its myTrip software has helped drive ticket revenues of up to £40,000 for smaller operators, with the app seeing over 35,000 user downloads to date – increasing by 22% month-on-month.
Tom Quay, CEO at Passenger commented: “myTrip has been a lifeline for many smaller operators who were impacted by the pandemic, bringing their services up-to-date and appealing to shifting customer needs. Even as we emerge from the pandemic, myTrip is continually relevant as it helps operators cater to consumers’ increased reliance on digital solutions – with convenience and speed a top priority for many travellers. Technology plays a fundamental part in driving the success of the National Bus Strategy, as it helps operators make public transport as appealing as possible to travellers. We’re delighted with the success of myTrip so far and look forward to helping more small bus operators modernise their services, supporting their individual business goals while working towards a combined mission to boost public transport uptake across the UK.”
Safeguard Coaches is now live in the myTrip app, allowing customers to purchase tickets via their mobile, as well as access live bus tracking and enhanced vehicle information including bus capacity levels.
James Vallance, Commercial Manager at Safeguard Coaches added: “Our company has been serving Surrey and Hampshire for 97 years, and we pride ourselves on offering exceptional standards of customer service. We knew that, to uphold these standards, we needed to modernise our systems and myTrip presented the perfect opportunity to allow us to do so. We’re looking forward to seeing our valued customers benefit from our new technology, as well as attracting new users to our services and positioning public transport as a first choice travel option across Surrey and Hampshire.”
