First app is travel App of the Year

First Bus‘s app has received the Travel App of the Year accolade at the UK App Awards. The app was developed with partner, Future Platforms. 

Judges praised the implementation of ‘customer-first’ features that were fast-tracked during the Covid-19 pandemic. Working closely with partners Ticketer and Transport API, live vehicle tracking and capacity updates were introduced to the First Bus App earlier this year.

Future Platforms, a joint recipient of the award, designed the app interface ensuring that the live data is shown in a clear and accessible way for customers. The ease of use, and speed of implementation of the live tracking, had already been widely praised by customers and stakeholders after First Bus became the first major bus operator to roll out the live tracking app updates. The judges praised the speed by which the live tracking and capacity updates were introduced.

Simon Peck, CEO at Future Platforms, said: “We’re delighted to have been recognised by the UK App Awards for our collaborative work with First Bus and their partners Ticketer and Transport API. It was a real team effort to deliver the functionality to allow First Bus customers to view live bus times and seating capacity, alongside the existing ticket purchase, activation and timetable features. We are particularly proud to receive feedback highlighting that we have implemented something of real value to customers during the pandemic.”