First Bus to complete roll-out of new digital scheduling software across UK bus operations

First Bus has announced that it has teamed up with Optibus to complete the digital transformation of its scheduling data, processes and systems across all its UK bus operations.

The roll-out of the new software across First Bus will enable all of its operating companies (OpCos) to improve the service and operational efficiency of 4,000 buses across Glasgow, Bristol, Essex, Yorkshire, Cornwall and more, leading to improved services for over one million daily passengers and smoother, faster work processes for dozens of schedulers.

First Bus now has the capability to be more agile with network decision making and explore enhancement to work patterns and rosters using advanced duty optimisation algorithms and an automated rostering product, bringing real-time and localised solutions to the UK public transport industry.

First Bus places one of the UK’s largest ever electric bus orders

First Bus Chief Commercial Officer, Simon Pearson, said: “We are delighted to have rolled out Optibus’ innovative new software across our UK business. The implementation will improve the lives of our staff and our customers whilst making us more agile as a business in facing challenges and delivering the best possible service.”

Over the course of their five-year partnership, First Bus has tested many new Optibus features in live environments, helping to tailor the product to real-life scenarios and unique challenges faced by operators across the UK, spanning electric vehicle deployment, cost efficiency and effective network re-design to meet new travel patterns.

This news follows the recent announcement that First Bus has placed one of the UK’s largest electric vehicle (EV) bus orders, following successful bids with local authorities as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding scheme. Once the new zero-emission buses are deployed, the company will have over 500 electric buses in operation, driving forward its journey to net zero and supporting hundreds of green jobs across the UK.