Local transport operators report digital sales increase with ticketing app
Bus operators Safeguard Coaches and Compass Travel joined a multi-operator ticketing app, myTrip, developed by Passenger, earlier this year. Since then, Safeguard Coaches has reported that digital ticket sales have increased to four times the previous volume. Compass Travel has reported that digital ticket sales, especially to college students, is at an all time high, with some routes carrying 40% of such sales.
Passenger, a company founded six years ago in Bournemouth, launched the myTrip app one year ago and since then has onboarded 50 local public transport operators and seen over 46,000 users across the country.
Other transport operators that have adopted Passenger's myTrip app include Stephensons Coaches (Essex-based), Powell's (transport services across South Yorkshire; part of HCT Group) or Sanders Coaches (family-owned company in North Norfolk). Passenger has also launched apps for the Go-Ahead Group bus operator which owns among others the Oxford Bus Company and Go South Coast.
Commenting on joining Passenger's myTrip app, James Vallance, Commercial Manager at Safeguard Coaches said that myTrip has helped the company connect to more of its community. The myTrip app allows passengers to purchase tickets for bus routes in Surrey using cashless options, as well as view real-time information on bus locations – minimising time spent standing in queues. The app can also share real-time occupancy levels submitted by bus passengers.
General Manager of Compass Travel Michael Bishop added: "myTrip has helped us reach more of our community and we want to encourage more people to follow suit and choose the bus to travel. We want to continue raising the positive impacts of taking the bus – from both an environmental perspective as our carbon footprint is reduced, and from a convenience perspective as traffic congestion decreases."
Safeguard Coaches, Compass Travel and UK public transport app and website provider, Passenger are encouraging British people to adopt a similar mentality to 'Shop Local' schemes when considering their travel options, as World Car Free Day (22 September) approaches.
About Safeguard Coaches
Safeguard Coaches is a family-owned business in Surrey and has operated from a base in Guildford for over 95 years. The company has a turnover of £3,65 million in 2019 and has 70 employees.
About Passenger
Based in Bournemouth, Passenger delivers scalable digital technology to public transport operators. This includes mobile app ticketing, travel information apps, data feeds, websites, and voice technology.
About Compass Travel
Based in Worthing, West Sussex, Compass Travel offers bus services and coach hire.
