Highland Council Buses Launch New On-line Ticketing App.
Pictured demonstrating the new app to Cllr Ken Gowans are Project Officers Andy Gilbert and Carole McClymont who have both been instrumental in the project.
Highland Council Buses have launched a new online Bus Ticket Sales App which allows customers to purchase tickets for travel on services and provides a QR code for scanning on ticket machines.
The app provides travellers with the ability to track vehicles and provides details of the vehicle registration, service number and colour of the bus. This all helps to improve passenger safety. Information on departure times can be easily seen by clicking on the bus stop map provided.
The app also allows people to purchase bus tickets as a gift for family and friends.
Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “Since we launched our in-house bus service the reaction from the public has been very positive. I would like to thank our communities and all our passengers for their support.
“I am sure the app will be a great help when people are planning their journeys. We are committed to making public transport more accessible and convenient for everyone. The Highland Council Bus team have worked very hard to develop the service and the public can look forward to even better services as we go forward.”
Kerrie Grant - Customer Success Manager for My Trip said: ''We are thrilled to welcome Highland Council buses to the myTrip family. As a national app solution built by Passenger, the UK’s top-rated public transport app provider, myTrip offers an affordable and efficient way for smaller operators to enhance their customer experience with mobile ticketing and vehicle tracking. Joining esteemed operators such as JMB Travel, Prentice of Haddington, McColl's, Garelochhead Coaches, and Shiel buses, Highland Council buses are now part of a growing network committed to making public transport more accessible and convenient for all.''
The Highland Council’s In-House bus service pilot project was launched in January 2023. The service was set up to deliver passenger and school transport services at a lower cost than commercial contractors. In its first year of operation, the In-house service carried 449 pupils daily who are entitled to home to school transport, and 52,046 public passengers.
In addition to the scheduled routes, the buses have provided hires to schools (e.g., for swimming trips) and community organisations. Twenty-four schools are currently using this facility in the Inverness/Black Isle/Dingwall area.
The work of the team was recognised when they won the Service Innovation and Improvement category at the 2024 Highland Council Staff Recognition Awards.
Councillor Ken Gowans was able to personally thank the team for all their work before presenting them with their award. He said: “I would like to thank our bus drivers and everyone else involved in the pilot for all their hard work and commitment to make it a success.
“The project has always been about making financial savings, but also providing improved and more inclusive services for communities. Going forward the team will continue to explore new opportunities and providing a great service.”