Icon image

About this app

Data safety.

Icon image

Ratings and reviews

first bus travel information

  • Flag inappropriate

first bus travel information

What's new

App support, similar apps.

Thumbnail image

First Bus 4+

Bus times app, buy mtickets, firstgroup plc.

  • #37 in Travel
  • 4.6 • 126.5K Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Plan a journey, buy a great value mobile ticket (mTicket) or find where your bus is with live bus times – you can do all this and more with the First Bus App, making bus travel even easier. PLAN YOUR JOURNEY With our door to door route planner you can check your quickest route to work or plan a new adventure and help you to get around at the weekend. Just enter a destination to view your route options and we’ll show you which of our bus services can get you there with step-by-step instructions. CHECK LIVE BUS TIMES The First Bus App is the best way to get live bus times and route information. You can save your favourite stops, routes and locations and revisit recently searched journeys. The map shows the bus stops nearby where you can see live updates to check where and when your bus is coming letting you head to your bus stop just before your bus is due. BUY YOUR MOBILE TICKET (MTICKET) You can buy your great value bus ticket on the First Bus App before you travel so with mTickets there’s no need to carry cash or worry about having the right change. Some of our tickets are cheaper on the app so get it downloaded for our best bus ticket prices. Payments are secure and there’s a handy ‘buy again’ button with one-tap checkout making repeat purchases even quicker and easier to do. The app also features: • Tickets for Heathrow RailAir, Buses of Somerset and First Kernow. • Payments via Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Google Pay and Apple Pay. • The ability to gift tickets to a child or young person.

Version 5.8.1

• Bugs fixes and performance improvements

Ratings and Reviews

126.5K Ratings

Get a 7 year old to show you how to use it

Every bus has a transponder and the app has a real time transponder map showing the exact position of ever bus on your route. Little busses moving along on the map so cute. I got a 7 year old to show me how to use it. Actually she might not have been 7 cos she worked at the hospital. I digress. Once you know how to use it it’s BRILLIANT. But if you feel 92 and you haven’t got a 7 year old hospital worker to help you it’s a weee bit confusing. For instance why do you have to tap on directions to see the timetablely thing and when you want to toggle between the real time transponder map and the timetablely thing you can’t just go BACK you have to go BACK BACK. And why doesn’t the bus search for the real time transponder map know where I am. For example I live in the South West and when I type in 7 for the number 7 bus it suggests every number 7 in the known universe starting with the Outer Hebrides. Actually it might not be the Outer Hebrides, but it definitely wasn’t within 300 miles. Having said all this the real time transponder map is awesome you can see all the naughty busses bunching up in threes 30 minutes away. Sometimes when there are road works you can see them go off route. Little mind blown!!

First Bus First Class Drivers

Your cheerful, polite & extremely helpful drivers have literally given me my life back. I’m a 65 yr old lady who used to drive & was independent until 2017 when an accident left me with limited mobility. Since that time I have been dependent on a husband who hates shopping to take me, but the nearest supermarket was his limit & then with no time to browse. Then one day I decided to try getting on the bus that runs through the village to town using my powerchair, since that day I have not looked back & I now regularly get the bus to Truro which is some 20 miles away & I plan to travel to other towns in West Cornwall over the coming months. Your drivers are always beyond helpful assisting me to get on the bus using the ramp & this has given me my confidence back & in turn my independence, so a huge thank you to all the drivers who work in the Helston, Truro & Penzance area for your patience & help, I will always be indebted to you.

Really bad app, lots of improvements needed

This app is really bad. There is a planning section to identify which bus you need but this does not link with an option to buy a ticket for that journey. Instead, you need to head to the ticket section, select an area and guess which ticket is valid for that journey. I find this very confusing and have witnessed people being told they chose the wrong ticket. The tickets are terrible. They need to be activated and then used within 10 minutes of activation, why? There is no need for this. You should be able to buy a ticket and scan it without having to activate it. Buses are usually overcrowded due to delays and cancellations so it happens regularly that people activate their tickets when the bus arrives to the bus stop but then are denied boarding because the bus is full. Because of this, some people don’t activate their tickets until they are on the bus which causes more delays. Another rubbish feature of this app is that when you scan your ticket on the bus it does not reflect this on the app. The countdown for the 10 minutes to use the ticket continues and there is no acknowledgement that you have used that ticket or what bus you used it for. One final thought, why are there so many irrelevant reviews in here? The reviews are meant to be about the app, not about the service.

App Privacy

The developer, FirstGroup Plc , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

  • Contact Info
  • User Content
  • Search History
  • Identifiers

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

  • Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

  • Developer Website
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

first bus travel information

Get all of your passes, tickets, cards, and more in one place.

More by this developer.

First Bus Connect

TOL Connect

You Might Also Like

UK Bus Checker

MCard Mobile

GlasGO Cabs

Transdev Go (Old)

Transport for Edinburgh

Northern train tickets & times

Moscow transport: metro, bus & taxi in Moscow | How does it work?

  • August 15, 2023

Moscow transport: metro, bus & taxi in Moscow

Moscow transport: how does it work? Here we summarized all you need to know about Moscow city public transport (bus, metro, card Troika), but also taxi in Moscow.

Distances in Moscow: walking in Moscow

Walking. The geolocation of your accommodation in Moscow is important, because the distances are great. You’re definitely not going to be able to do it all on foot. Moscow is the largest city in Europe with more than 12 million intramural inhabitants. Besides, Moscow is made for giants, because everything is big: the avenues, the buildings, the metro stations! So, the place of your accommodation is very important. You can check our blog post: Where to stay in Moscow?

Good to know! We have written 2 other blog posts that could be helpful: Maps of Moscow and Moscow Airport Transfer.

Public transport in Moscow: prices and how does it work?

Even if you are going to be able to visit many interesting places around Red Square (see the article: Moscow Red Square ), you will certainly take the metro to get around, but also to see the most beautiful stations . Furthermore, among public transport the metro remains the fastest solution in Moscow.

Good to know! Public transport is free for children under the age of 7. More specifically, 1 adult may not purchase a ticket for 1 child under the age of 7. If you are 2 adults, it is therefore for 2 children that the trips will be free.

Tips for Moscow city transport

Here are my tips to make travel more pleasant and optimized:

  • Avoid to take Moscow City transport during rush hours. Especially for ground transportation (lots of traffic jams). You will lose a lot of time, especially for city center trips by land transport. Peak hours correspond to office hours: the standard working day begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m.
  • Use a mobile application to estimate your journey time as accurately as possible. In Europe, as in Russia, we use CityMapper . It is a free application that allows you to calculate your trips and see all the possibilities to get from one place to another. For the application to work, you must have an Internet connection: either through your French package which can prove to be expensive; either by wifi, in your hotel, in a cafe (very common in Moscow) or by using the free Wi-Fi of the city of Moscow! To download CityMapper on your mobile, just type its name in AppStore or GooglePlay . Then choose the city where you want to use it.
  • Buy a transportation card. If you plan to take public transport several times a day or if you come to Moscow for a university or work exchange, it is more economical to take a transport card. I talk about it later in the article.
  • Further info about airport transfer here: How to get from airport to Moscow?

Moscow metro: the fastest way to get around Moscow

Beautiful! The Moscow Metro is considered the most beautiful in the world! You can find out which stations are worth a visit in my article: The most beautiful stations in Moscow .

Metro timetables. Times vary by station, but approximately the Moscow Metro is open from 5.30 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Below you can find a map of the Moscow metro, with an example of a metro station. You can find other Moscow maps here .

first bus travel information

Metro prices in Moscow

  • A single trip = 57 rubles (from February 1, 2020)
  • Price for transporting a suitcase in the metro = 60 rubles
  • With a transport card , the price of the journey decreases. Example: with the Troika card the price per trip increases to 40 rubles. More details about troika card below.
  • You can also pay with ApplePay or GooglePay.

Where to buy metro tickets?

  • At the cash desks , where you can buy everything: transport card or one-way tickets. Small flat: most of the time, the employees of the metro do not speak English very well. But they are used to it, you will be able to understand each other.
  • At the English terminals , where you can also buy everything. See below for more details on terminal purchases.

Moscow City transport taxi

Bus, trolleybus, tram in Moscow

Avoid at peak hours. The city center can be literally blocked! Mobile applications are very useful to estimate travel times.

Tram. Trams are very nice to do. It’s a bit special. Tram stops are hard on the road. The cars then stop and let the pedestrians get on or off the tram.

Price of a bus, trolleybus or tram ticket

  • One way = 57 rubles (from February 1, 2020)
  • With a transport card , the price drops. Example: with the Troika card the price per trip increases to 40 rubles. More details about transport cards below.

Where to buy bus, trolleybus or tram tickets?

To drivers. There are no controllers on each bus, as in St. Petersburg.

By purchasing a transport card in advance at a metro station. There are few terminals installed near bus, tram or trolley stations.

Good to know! It is possible to pay on the metro, but also on buses with your smartphone or a contactless card (Apple Pay or Google Pay)! The price is 44 rubles per way. Beware, however, of bank charges, as for other ruble payments in Russia. See article: How to pay in Russia?

Transport cards in Moscow

Two most interesting solutions for taking Moscow City transport:

troika card

Troika card prices

  • 1 metro, bus, trolley bus or tram journey: 40 rubles (instead of 57)
  • 90 minutes in public transport (regardless of the number of changes): 62 rubles

How to buy a Troika card?

  • Cost of purchase : 50 rubles. You can get it at all metro stations.
  • Refill . Once the card is purchased, you must reload it. You can choose the amount freely.
  • Where? It is possible to buy the card and recharge it at the metro cash desks or via automatic terminals, in cash or by bank card.

The Troika card is interesting if you:

  • want to take advantage of lower transportation rates.
  • stay in Moscow for a long time (language stays, expatriation, VIE, university exchange), but do not go for frequent daily trips.
  • don’t stay long, but you know roughly how many trips you’re going to make or you don’t mind reloading the card often. Why? It is possible, but long and complicated to recover the initial amount of 50 rubles, as well as the rest on the card.

How much does the unlimited Yediny card (central Moscow area) cost?

  • 1 day = 24 hours = 230 rubles
  • 3 days = 438 rubles
  • 30 days = 2170 rubles
  • There are no unlimited cards for 2, 4, 5, 6 or 7 days.

More details: Moscow transport website

How to buy a Yediny card?

It is possible to buy the card and recharge it at the metro cash desks or via automatic terminals, in cash or by bank card. The card is activated (the countdown starts) at the time of validation and not at the time of purchase. The card must be activated within 10 days of purchase (day of purchase included).

Here are the pictures of the automatic terminal (in English), when buying a Yédiny card.

first bus travel information

The Yediny card is interesting if you:

  • stay in Moscow for a long time (language stays, expatriation, university exchange), but make frequent daily trips.
  • do not stay in Moscow for a long time, but do not want to estimate your trips in advance (Troika card) while enjoying the unlimited.

Our experience with transport cards in Moscow

When I was working in Moscow, I used the Troika card. It was the most economical solution for me. We also used it later when we both went there. On the other hand, the last time we were there, we took the Yediny card and finally we found it more practical, even if it turned out to be less economical in the end.

Our verdict (compared to our travel habits): budget side, the Troika card is better. But for less headache (how much to put on the card? How much is left?…), The unlimited Yediny card is more practical.

Boat trips in Moscow

There are several boat trips on the Moskva River. In addition, it is even possible to buy an unlimited day ticket. For more information, you can then consult the article: Take a boat trip on the Moskva River.

Getting around in Moscow by taxi

There are several types of taxis in Moscow:

  • First, official taxis (sign on the roof);
  • Then individuals who do this out of the blue;
  • And finally Moscow taxis via mobile applications (private drivers or taxi agencies).

Good to know. The cost of a taxi ride to the city center in Moscow is around 500 rubles. If you want to avoid negotiations, use the taxi apps in Moscow.

Uber Moscow: NO.

It works before, but not anymore, because Uber does not use the classic app in Russia (they have created a special app for Russia, only this app works now). So, you have to download the special Uber Russia app… but this application is only available on the Russian AppStore, so it cannot be downloaded for us. Uber’s competitors in Russia such as YandexTaxi or Gett can be used.

Use the YandexTaxi app to take a taxi in Moscow

The Yandex company is the Russian Google. Initially a search engine, it also offers several services. YandexTaxi is then the taxi service in Moscow, it works everywhere in Russia. You can download the app from the AppStore or GooglePlay . Thanks to this application, it is possible to pay the taxi in cash (by default) or by bank card directly (to be specified in the application). If you are thinking of paying in cash, then have rather small denominations so that the driver can give you change. The application is now in French.

How does YandexTaxi work?

  • First, it detects your geolocation.
  • Then you indicate your arrival position using the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet.
  • It then offers you the estimated prices for each range (thrifty, business, etc.).
  • You choose, confirm and wait for the driver to arrive.
  • You identify the driver with the indicated license plate, then at the end YandexTaxi collects the race via your bank card (do not forget to put your card info before using the app, otherwise pay in cash).

Other solution. You can also book a taxi in advance on KiwiTaxi website . It’s easy!

Yandex Taxi Moscow

Public transport and taxi in Moscow: summary

Getting around Moscow is quite simple, as Moscow City transport is well developed. However, because of traffic jams, the metro is the quickest solution. It isn’t an issue, because the Moscow metro is very clean and beautiful. Taxis are rather cheap and easy to find thanks to mobile applications like, for example, YandexTaxi.

Moscow travel tips:

  • Bolshoi Theater: how to buy tickets?
  • Where to eat in Moscow?
  • Where to stay in Moscow?
  • How to get from airport to Moscow?

Top places to see in Moscow:

  • What to visit in Kremlin?
  • Red Square Moscow: everything you need to know
  • Saint Basil’s Cathedral: tickets & what to see inside?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg: tickets, best places, dress code

Novodevichy convent and cemetery in moscow: tickets, cemetery map, you may also like.

Where to stay in Moscow

Where to stay in Moscow: best districts & hotels in Moscow, what to avoid

  • February 13, 2024

tips for vising red square moscow russia

Red Square in Moscow: everything you need to know before visiting

  • February 22, 2024

Moscow winter travel tips

Moscow in winter | What to do in Moscow in winter? How to dress?

  • October 1, 2023

Bolshoi Theatre Moscow: how to buy tickets for Bolshoi theatre ballet

Bolshoi Theatre Moscow: how to buy tickets for Bolshoi theatre ballet?

  • July 28, 2023

Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow

Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow | Tickets & things to visit inside

  • March 7, 2024

Seven Sisters Moscow

Seven Sisters Moscow | Where to find the soviet skyscrapers in Moscow?

  • December 27, 2023
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Wanderlustingk

20+ Things to Know Before You Travel By Bus in the USA

February 21, 2018 by Karen Turner 10 Comments

I have many talents, but driving is not one of them. I’ve never been given a driver’s license, so I’ve been forced to travel by bus in the USA. Although it’s maybe not “cool” to travel by buses around the United States, taking Greyhound buses and Megabus is often a good cheap way to travel around the USA.

Keep reading for my recommendations for the bus companies in the United States, reviews of different bus companies in the US, what to know about bus travel in the United States, and what to bring on long bus trips in the United States.

first bus travel information

  • 1 Should you travel by bus in the US?
  • 2.1 Greyhound
  • 2.2 Megabus
  • 2.3 BoltBus
  • 2.4.1 Other Bus companies in the United States
  • 3.0.1 The bus stations…
  • 3.0.2 Finding the bus departure place may be harder than you realize!
  • 3.0.3 You might get dropped off in the middle of nowhere
  • 3.0.4 Avoid buses that depart or arrive late at night
  • 3.0.5 Book in advance to get the best times and prices
  • 3.0.6 Not every bus still has wifi… or working plugs
  • 3.0.7 You need identification and often your bus ticket printed
  • 3.0.8 Your bus ticket is typically non-refundable and for a specific time
  • 3.0.9.1 Don’t drink too many liquids
  • 3.0.10.1 Set an alarm
  • 3.0.10.2 One suitcase and one backpack.  Keep your valuables with you.
  • 3.0.11 Be early for the bus!
  • 4.0.1 Be sure to bring antibacterial gel
  • 4.0.2 Travel Pillow.
  • 4.0.3 Backpack that will fit your valuables, including your laptop.
  • 4.0.4 Your iPad and a season of shows lined up with some headphones.
  • 4.0.5 Snacks.
  • 4.0.6 Wear layers and bring a sweatshirt.
  • 4.0.7 A good book and a reading light.
  • 4.0.8 External Phone Battery Charger

Should you travel by bus in the US?

Yes, and no. If your trip around the United States is focused on city hopping, especially within one region (e.g. East Coast), traveling by bus in the United States is a good choice.. It’s often cheaper and easier not to have a car in big cities in the United States as parking can add up.  However, it depends a lot on the city as some cities have great public transportation system while others have terrible public transportation systems.

If you’re planning on focusing on the beautiful National Parks, you’re going to have difficulty getting around more rural areas of the US without a lot of money spent on taxis.  Some National Parks have better infrastructure in terms of getting there without a car (e.g. Yosemite), but many parks are quite rural and require extra time/money to get there without a car.  It might make sense to take a bus for some legs of your journey and do tours once you’re within a city.  This will be cheaper than all-inclusive options.

Bus travel in the United States is far more sustainable than traveling by car around the United States.  People love to write about road trips, but bus travel is way more eco-friendly!  Similarly, not everyone can afford a car or it doesn’t make sense to drive into another big city.

As a result, I think that travel by bus around the US can be a great option for those on a budget, anyone who’s into sustainable travel, and for those who don’t want to have to bother with driving in big American cities.

Bus travel in the United States is often not as advertised online in terms of wifi and on-board entertainment. Although many bus companies are interested in creating more premium experiences and improving the average bus experience, my experiences traveling by bus in the United States has been gritty and unglamorous. This has been the case for my husband too. ( What did you think you were getting when you paid $25 for a 8 hour bus across the country?)

Photo of Chicago. Read tips for surviving overnight bus rides and things to know before traveling by bus in the United States! #travel #UnitedStates #USA

Photo from Chicago, which was a 14+ hour bus ride

National bus companies in the United States

You’ll encounter a lot of bus companies in the United States although many are regional bus lines that I haven’t personally encountered. Most of the time, unless it’s a major American holiday, bus travel doesn’t require significant planning beyond a day or two in advance.  American buses tend to be cheaper if you book way in advance with a major company (e.g. Greyhound or Megabus) while regional bus rates tend to rise less closer to the dates.

Greyhound is the most ubiquitous bus company in the United States.  Among the bus companies, the opinions about Greyhound buses online  tends to be more favorable although most people I know who regularly take Greyhounds aren’t their biggest cheerleaders.  The coverage of Greyhound buses is good across the country and you can get across the United States on a Greyhound on the drop of a hat.

However, you will probably have numerous stop-offs in various cities, which can add some time.  However, it’s possible to get to Yosemite with a Greyhound, which is why if you’re traveling in the United States without a car.  It’s often best to buy Greyhound tickets at least two weeks in advance and they have special deals if you buy online.

It’s basically very hard to get a $1 fare on Megabus at this point, but you can get some good deals on Megabus if you book ahead.  I started taking Megabus when it got started.  At this point, Megabus tends to be standard and their concept is getting you there.  The demographic for Megabus is considerably younger than Greyhound and you’ll find a lot of students taking Megabus.

Megabus tend to be stricter about bag sizes although they more uniformly have working outlets on their buses.  Coverage for Megabus is best on the East Coast, Midwest, and between college towns in the United States. They also have some coverage on the West Coast.

My husband has sworn off Megabus after the wheels almost caught on fire and the driver told the passengers it wasn’t safe to continue.  He was forced to wait in the middle of nowhere waiting for a new bus to come pick them up.  A couple of other friends have similar stories although I generally take Megabus given the choice as I find people are a bit more considerate.

BoltBus is a “premium” bus company that runs on the East and West coast.  Their buses tend to be much newer and nicer than others that I’ve taken, however the routes are more limited to major cities on the coasts.  Their plugs tend to work much more reliably and recently, they started including movies in the price of the bus.

I’ve generally liked BoltBus and I wish that they would expand to more cities.  It’s my go-to choice for traveling from New York City to Washington DC.

Trailways Transportation System

Trailways is a network of 70+ regional bus companies in the United States that compromises the oldest bus network in the United States.  Their network crosses the United States and I’ve taken Trailways quite a few times.  I find their buses not as uniform as you’re likely to be switching companies as you switch state lines.  Most of my experience taking Trailways meant that I had long layovers in rural Pennsylvania at one particular transfer point.

For smaller cities with less coverage on the big names, I find that Trailways is more reliable in helping you find a route although it might add time to your journey.  It depends on the bus journey, however I find that Trailway buses tend to stop off a lot more although it makes the journey through the United States far more scenic as you’re often taking non-highway routes.

Other Bus companies in the United States

Bus traveling along highway in the United States. Must-know tips if you're considering traveling by bus in the US!

Photo by Denis Rozhnovsky/Bigstockphoto

There’s a ton more bus companies in the United States, including Vonlane (Texas), Fullington Trailways (New York/Pennsylvania), Utah Trailways (Utah), Burlington Trailways (Vermont), Jefferson Lines, Bieber Tours (Pennsylvania/New York), Barons Bus Lines (East Coast),  Adirondack Trailways (Canada/New York), RedCoach (Florida; premium bus), Capital Trailways (South/Alabama), Hoosier Transportation (Midwest/Iowa/Michigan/Kentucky), Indian Trails (Michigan), Peter Pan (East Coast), Orange Belt (California), etc. There’s a ton more.  If you’re not seeing a route to where you’re going, I recommend stopping by the bus station to see if there’s a bus heading that way on a regional line.

On the east coast and the west coast, you’ll also find Chinese bus companies that run between the Chinatowns or downtowns of major cities on the East Coast/West Coast.  The Chinese bus companies are often the cheapest option if you’re traveling to/from New York City or LA to a nearby major city.

Due to price, I often took the Chinese bus companies.  These bus rides went by without incident for me, but my cousin was stranded in the middle of nowhere after a bus broke down and the bus company wasn’t helpful at all.

Things to know about bus travel in the United States

The bus stations….

With the creation of the interstate highway system, buses in the United States stopped being as popular as they were before.  The bus infrastructure has suffered as a result.  Most bus stations tend to be on the dingier side and do not require a ticket to enter the bus station, so it’s best to be aware of your belongings.  Most bus stations in the United States tend to be located in the city center, which aren’t always in the best neighborhoods.

In the case of many of the “newer” bus lines (e.g. Megabus), their business model is about cutting out the bus station to pass on savings to consumers.  This means that their bus station may be a Walmart parking lot or simply a curb on a sidewalk.  As a result, you might be forced to wait outside for the bus and/or there may be no bus station for you to wait inside at.  Bring an umbrella if you think this might be the case.

Finding the bus departure place may be harder than you realize!

Often, bus terminals for Greyhound and other regional bus stations are well-established terminals in the city center.  However, for some of the newer bus companies, they have their buses designated in a large area.  You’re going to need an extra twenty minutes at minimum if you’re taking Megabus to find your bus if it’s departing from most major cities.

In New York, I’ve found that I need the extra time to walk past all the buses waiting to find the correct departure point. Similarly, when I took BoltBus out of DC, I had to spend a while searching for the one departing for NYC as there were more than five buses departing around the same time.

You might get dropped off in the middle of nowhere

Modern-day America has been built for cars.  For most major cities, you’ll be dropped of at the bus terminal, which can be far from the non-downtown parts of a city. I used to often take one route and the bus terminal was over three miles from the main downtown area, which can be tricky if you don’t have a car.

In one case, I was forced to take a taxi as it wasn’t possible to get from the bus terminal to my final destination (the airport) without it.  It’s good to check where the bus stop will be as you don’t want to need to take a taxi to get there.  Google Maps in my go-to source.

Avoid buses that depart or arrive late at night

Trust me on this one. A lot of cities have poor transportation after a certain hour (often eleven at night), and often bus terminals are in the heart of the city center.  Unlike European cities, many American city centers aren’t uniformly safe and I recommend using some caution if you’ll be walking around with all your valuables late at night.  Crime in America is an issue.

Book in advance to get the best times and prices

Many bus companies, especially Boltbus and Megabus, advertise low rates if you book as far in advance as possible.  I often take Megabus and wait to see when the tickets go on sale, so I can get one of the first tickets, which is typically less than $5.  If you wait too long, especially for holiday weekends, the prices will go up considerably.  That said, you’ll find a bus to your destination within a day or two if you simply head to the bus station on short notice.

Not every bus still has wifi… or working plugs

Girl sitting on a bus. Read tips for traveling without a car in the United States and what to know about bus companies in the United States.

A good playlist is always a good idea. Photo by VadimGuzhva/bigstockphoto

Although many bus companies advertise that buses have wifi, the wifi on the bus is ridiculously slow, throttled for video, and unreliable.  I’ve been on countless buses where the wifi never worked because it didn’t have wifi, the wifi was broken, or there were too many people on it at once.

It’s become trendy to have outlets, but often, the outlets are somewhere really inconvenient or they don’t work.  A lot of people think initially that they’ll work on the bus, but I find that it’s not a conducive environment for working as the seat-tray makes it hard to fit a laptop in many cases.

This becomes especially true when others decide to lean their chair back.  I’ve been on buses where the outlets were above you in the “ceiling”, so unless you spend the whole bus ride holding your plug in the outlet, you will not be charging your electronics.  Some of the newer buses have improved upon this design and have easy-to-access plugs/usb ports.

You need identification and often your bus ticket printed

Typically, any photo identification will do, however the name needs to match the ticket. That means that you typically can’t use your friend’s ticket. If you’re a foreigner, I recommend having your passport on you.

Not all bus companies allow e-tickets, so I always print my ticket ahead as finding a good place to print my ticket isn’t always easy near the bus station.  Some bus companies are better about accepting e-tickets, so check the terms to see if it’s enough to have a ticket on your phone.

The real reason that I always print my ticket?  I need to have my phone charged enough for when I arrive.  As a result, I recommend having it printed, so you don’t need to worry about having your phone charged up for the next transfer or for when I arrive at the destination, particularly if it’s a long bus ride.  I often find myself playing on my phone, which can kill the battery.

Your bus ticket is typically non-refundable and for a specific time

Unless you pay extra for a refundable ticket, you’re often getting one for a specific time. Don’t miss your bus! Some bus companies allow you to change the ticket for the difference in ticket price in addition to a fee, but I’ve actually bought a ticket in most of those cases as it was cheaper than the change fee.

Oh, the people you’ll meet!

"Photo

Dr. Seuss must have taken buses around the United States. While most of my bus trips have gone by without incidence, both my husband and I have some  memorable  bus travel stories as do most of my friends. Most people sleep, stare out the window, talk to friends on the phone, or chat with friends on the bus. Let’s be clear that most people you’ll encounter on the buses will be non-offensive, but as I have regularly taken regional buses through rural areas, you’re bound to meet some characters.

This following story is from my husband who took a twenty-four hour Greyhound bus from Pennsylvania to Kentucky via Ohio…

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, many students choose to take Greyhound home because it is so cheap.  You’re  not supposed to bring alcohol on the bus, however some people do.  This student had smuggled a bottle of peach flavored vodka on the bus.  He was hell-bent on talking to every girl on the bus and switched seats countless times.  He was drinking the vodka and kept offering it to the girls.  After they all rejected it and him, he sitting up next to me. There was a girl nearby from Hawaii who was heading to a friend’s house in Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving.  The girl and the guy hit it off and get very drunk on the bus.  They start having a big make-out session, so the whole bus was just eavesdropping while some were openly watching them.   The issue was that it was night-time and they were being loud while everyone else on the bus was trying to sleep. The first leg took us to Columbus, which is a big switching point for buses.  I was heading south from there as was the guy.  The girl was heading further west from there. We get to Columbus and they decide that they’re in love .  The girl invites him to come to Iowa with her to her friend’s house and the guy actually switches his ticket to go to Iowa.  Sure enough, they left for Iowa together to her friend’s parents house. Imagine her friend’s reaction when she shows up hungover with this random guy she met on a Greyhound.

Don’t drink too many liquids

This is a newbie bus mistake.  It’s good to stay hydrated and I typically bring at least one bottle of water for longer journeys, however I generally avoid bus bathrooms.  More importantly: Some buses, especially regional ones for shorter legs, don’t have a bathroom on the bus.  Be sure to use the bathroom at the bus terminal before you leave!

It’s not a guarantee that your bus will stop off at a bus station or rest stop long enough for you to go inside.

For longer trips, keep in mind that the bus will probably stop off at a rest stop as they’re not allowed to drive over a certain number of hours without stopping.  It’s not a guarantee for shorter journeys that the bus will stop off at a rest station long enough for you get something to eat, so bring your own food/drinks ahead.

If it looks like you’ll have fifteen minutes waiting at a station for passengers, be sure to tell the bus driver that you’ll be back to ensure that the bus doesn’t leave without you.  There’s often a line for the restroom at rest stops.

Set an alarm

Photo of man sleeping on overnight bus in the United States. Read more tips for surviving long bus trips and what to know before taking a Greyhound bus in the United States.

On long bus rides, you might fall asleep. That’s fine, however if your destination isn’t the final destination, you’ll want to set an alarm on your phone before the time that your bus is supposed to arrive.  There might be traffic, but in general, it’s a safe move.

One suitcase and one backpack.  Keep your valuables with you.

Remember that you’re NOT on a plane. Some bus companies are more lax about luggage, however if it’s a crowded bus or you’re traveling over major holiday, you might need to pay for an extra bag.  I also recommend avoiding having your stuff in bags if possible as I’ve seen people get rejected from boarding onto buses when carrying their belongings in plastic bags.

I tend to keep my valuables in my backpack rather than below the bus, especially if the bus has a lot of stop off points  I recommend labeling your bag clearly as it’s hard to find a black suitcase among 50 other black suitcases .  Weird size luggage might cause issues, so ask beforehand.

Typically at stops, people take their items from the hull, so unless you want your bag taken by mistake, it’s best to keep your valuables in your backpack with you on the bus.  I’ve never had a bag stolen or taken by mistake, but if it’s a long ride with a lot of stops, I recommend labeling your bag clearly and packing your backpack carefully.

Be early for the bus!

Although it hasn’t often happened, buses leave on time.  More often than not, they’ll wait a couple more minutes for passengers who are running a few minutes late, but I’ve seen so many people running after the bus without success.  You need time to get your luggage under the hold.  Certain bus companies, including Megabus, overbook their seats, so if you’re not there early and it’s a full bus, you might get rejected on the bus and need to wait for the next one.

What to bring on long bus trips in the United States

If you’re wondering what to pack for an overnight bus trip, I’m well-experienced in these long miserable journeys that I’ve done to save money.

Be sure to bring antibacterial gel

first bus travel information

Some bus bathrooms are best avoided.  Similarly, the soap dispenser may not work. Be sure to have your own antibacterial gel to clean your hands with, especially if you plan on eating.

Travel Pillow.

first bus travel information

This is the MOST important item that you’ll want to pack for an overnight bus trip as I struggle to sleep without a good travel pillow. I have this exact travel pillow and I love how small it folds up!

Backpack that will fit your valuables, including your laptop.

first bus travel information

I recommend looking for a carry-on friendly sized backpack that can fit your backpack as well as most of your valuables, so that they’re close to you.

Your iPad and a season of shows lined up with some headphones.

first bus travel information

This is definitely not a necessity, but if you’re going to have a lot of long bus trips, I recommend bringing an iPad , so you can watch movies on the bus.  Download your shows before you leave wifi!

first bus travel information

I recommend not buying your snacks at the bus station if possible as the prices tend to be a lot higher and the selection isn’t as good as going to the supermarket! Avoid peanuts as some people are really allergic.   I really like to carry granola bars with me as they’re hard to smoosh and non-messy.

Wear layers and bring a sweatshirt.

first bus travel information

You never know when the bus will be too warm or too cold, so I always try to bring a sweatshirt to put on over my clothes in case I get cold! I recommend dressing comfy and you’ll be sitting for many hours.

A good book and a reading light.

first bus travel information

For night buses, the driver typically shuts off the lights after a certain time. Although there’s a reading light from above, I’m often very conscious of it annoying the people around me.  Instead, I usually bring my own reading light as well as a good book.  For a good read, I recommend Night Film (which will take you many hours to finish), the Power , or On the Road for some American travel inspiration.

External Phone Battery Charger

first bus travel information

You never know when there won’t be a working charger on the bus and you might need to make a phone call. Don’t let your phone die and carry an external phone battery charger .

Have you traveled by bus in the United States? Anything you’d add?

Share this post

Considering traveling by bus in the United States? 20+ tips from an experienced American traveler on what to know about bus travel in the USA & what to pack for an overnight bus journey. #Travel #USA #UnitedStates

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

' src=

February 24, 2018 at 12:47 am

Wow, I live in the US and I have never even considered bus travel (excluding taking the Megabus very occasionally from San Francisco to LA). That’s such a cool way to travel the country, and I will definitely have to consider it in the future! Thanks for sharing all these helpful tips.

' src=

February 24, 2018 at 3:12 am

The US is so spread out that it’s difficult to see a lot of it without access to a car. Bus is often the only option for many travelers. I’ve never traveled long distance by bus in the US, but I’ve heard they’re pretty unpleasant.

' src=

February 24, 2018 at 4:09 am

I haven’t been to the US of A but everyone has always told me that if you want to move around, you need a car. That is the only way to travel unless you consider flights which can get expensive. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the bus routes are usable.

' src=

February 24, 2018 at 1:01 pm

Super comprehensive and useful guide! I felt I’ve learned a lot about the buses in U.S just from this post. The reading light is a great suggestion – I’m gonna consider that the next time I fret over bringing a book on trips! Same like you, I feel conscious that the overhead light will be disturbing to my neighbour 😉

' src=

February 24, 2018 at 2:03 pm

I went to college in DC so def took the fung wa chinatown bus many times! I did have a greyhound driver once say (at a rest stop) “I dont count heads, I just count time” meaning he was rolling out at the designated time with or without you! I think now at age 40, I’ve graduated from Bus travel.

' src=

February 24, 2018 at 2:32 pm

I’ve only ever taken the bus between NY and Baltimore (China Bus). I’m laughing at the Dr. Suess comment and the need for hand santizer!!! LOL

' src=

September 17, 2018 at 5:18 pm

thanks so much, gonna do it now in advance! from the Uk to AmericaU here I come !!!

' src=

May 12, 2019 at 5:00 am

Don’t use Greyhound bus.. Many of the buses are unsafe, employees for the most part are rude worst of all is the huge amount of lost luggage. Its piled in s warehouse in Dallas I think, and you will never see it again. Mine was lost last summer and none will help me get it back. Travel Greyhound at your own risk.

' src=

May 20, 2019 at 2:37 pm

The buses are affordable but the catch is, IF YOU CANCEL YOUR TRIP, ITS ‘ZERO’ REFUND! However, they can reschedule you at no cost. So, think well and be sure before you book!!

' src=

July 11, 2023 at 7:01 pm

Tip for sleeping on busses

If you are fortunate enough to have 2 seats to yourself push back your seat to the limit. Then leave the other seat in upright position. You can then test your Head on the other seatback. About as comfortable as it gets on a bus

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • The Netherlands
  • New York State
  • Other European destinations
  • Work With Me
  • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Jeju SEO Tool: Free SEO Writing Tool

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

TreasureHunter USA Inc. 251 Little Falls Drive Wilmington, Delaware 19808 +1 (915) 4632387 EIN 88-2174128

www.wanderlustingk.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also participate in other affiliate programs

www.wanderlustingk.com all rights reserved © 2023 | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy |

Recommended

first bus travel information

About us | Advertise with us | Contact us

First Bus releases new travel app

  • Odnoklassniki
  • Facebook Messenger
  • LiveJournal

Posted: 9 May 2017 | Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

First Bus is releasing a new travel information app to include multi-modal travel information to make it easier for people to catch the bus.

app

National bus operator, First Bus , is releasing a new travel information app to include multi-modal travel information and a door-to-door journey planner in a bid to make it easier for people to catch the bus.

app

The updated First Bus Travel Information app will be easy for users to navigate with their most frequently used information available and key features will include:

  • Multi-modal door-to-door journey planning covering all modes (i.e. bus, rail and tram) and all operators across the UK
  • Mapping progress along a bus route towards a user’s destination on Google Maps
  • Users favourite bus stops
  • Bus stops nearby within a set walking radius (this can be set to 5, 10 or 15 minutes)
  • Walking directions to the required bus stop
  • Save favourite journeys made and destinations travelled to
  • Travel Service Alerts.

“We’re thrilled to be launching this update to our Travel Information app,” said James Timperley, Director of Retail Development at First Bus. “Our aim is to make it easier for customers to catch the bus and we believe this update to our app helps to remove some of the key barriers our customers face when trying to use our services.

“Our aim is to make it easier for customers to catch the bus”

“We have worked with The App Business, Transport API and Google to develop the new version of the Travel Information app and in doing this we have been able to utilise their knowledge of transport data to ensure that we have an accurate, easy to use and reliable app for our customers.”

First Bus currently has two apps available for customers and will be making improvements to its mobile offering over the course of this year.

“The release of the new First Bus app is the latest output in a long-running collaboration we are very proud of at The App Business,” added David Tuck, Commercial Director at The App Business. “It’s a transformative piece of work; not only for customers, who will be able to plan their journeys and travel more easily across the UK on multiple modes of transport, but also for what it means for First Group’s mobile offering across the board.”

The First Bus Travel Information app is available to download now.

first bus travel information

Related topics Business Models , Fleet Management & Maintenance , Multimodality , Ticketing & Payments , Transport Governance & Policy

Related modes Bus & Coach

Feature Image

The future of transport is here: how Worcestershire combines DRT, Planning, and MaaS

first bus travel information

Q&A with Troy Bernard at Discover Global Network

Adelaide's first 100% electric bus takes to the road

Adelaide’s first 100% electric bus takes to the road

By Intelligent Transport

Transdev invests €4.5 million to expand Aveiro Bus electric fleet

Transdev invests €4.5 million to expand Aveiro Bus electric fleet

NSW government announces Opal fare increase with cheaper Friday fares

NSW government announces Opal fare increase with cheaper Friday fares

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

© Russell Publishing Limited , 2010-2024. All rights reserved. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy

Website design and development by e-Motive Media Limited .

first bus travel information

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. For our other types of cookies "Advertising & Targeting", "Analytics" and "Performance", these help us analyse and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these different types of cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. You can adjust the available sliders to 'Enabled' or 'Disabled', then click 'Save and Accept'. View our Cookie Policy page.

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Performance cookies are includes cookies that deliver enhanced functionalities of the website, such as caching. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Analytics cookies collect information about your use of the content, and in combination with previously collected information, are used to measure, understand, and report on your usage of this website.

Advertising and targeting cookies help us provide our visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns.

Ticket prices and travelcards

Ticket prices and travelcards

Fares for Moscow's public transport network are the same for every mode of transport making it really easy to travel. See all the different tickets here !

Troika Ticket

This is the most economical option if you're spending a few days in the Russian capital. The card can be purchased and recharged at various station machines or even with the special Moscow Metro application. Your balance can be checked on the app or in the small yellow terminals inside the metro stations. A trip works out at ₽ 42 ( US$ 0.50), but if you change transport within 90 minutes, you'll only pay ₽ 23 ( US$ 0.30) for the next trip.

The day ticket for the Moscow metro can be purchased at any of the stops in the city. The price is ₽ 265 ( US$ 2.90) per day and ₽ 500 ( US$ 5.50) for three days.

90-Minute Ticket

The most convenient card if you want to take several types of transport within an hour and a half period. It costs  ₽ 65 ( US$ 0.70) per person and allows one metro ride and an unlimited number of trips on other types of public transport in Moscow during the time of its duration.

Different Moscow Metro tickets

You may also be interested in

Moscow

Moscow's crazy traffic and its excellent metro network mean that the city's buses and trolleybuses aren't the number one option for tourists.

Where to stay

Moscow has a wide range of accommodation: find the perfect district for you and book hotels, hostels and apartments at the best possible price.

first bus travel information

Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleybuses

Moscow's public land transport network covers the entirety of the city: buses and streetcars arrive with the same frequency as metro trains, and many routes connect the city's center and its outskirts. A system of night buses operates daily between 12:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., running from the Kitay-Gorod metro station on thirteen routes to various Moscow districts (as well as to Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports). There is also a tourist trolleybus route from Komsomolskaya Square to Novoryazanskaya Street. You can pay for public land transport rides with the Troika card or buy a ticket directly from the driver. For an easier way to plan out your route and find out the timetable, use the Moscow Transport app or mobile maps.

River Transport

The navigation season on the Moskva River begins in mid-April and ends in late fall. Throughout this period, you can see motorships running along the river. Almost any route is suitable for a cruise, with the ships circling around the city center and going to the North River Terminal and the Kolomenskoye Park embankment. It is best to book tours in advance (there are several different companies to choose from). Payment options depend on the type of the tour.

There is only one regular river route in Moscow, and it goes from the North River Terminal to Khimki. The ticket price is 350 rubles, but in the morning and evening hours you can pay with a Troika card at the standard fare.

Commuter Trains

Trains run in eleven directions from nine Moscow railway stations. Most often, commuter trains are used to travel out of town or to dachas, but they also serve to connect certain districts and metro stations, as well as help prevent the metro from overcrowding during rush hours. High-speed trains, also known as Aeroexpress trains, connect Moscow airports with the city center. You can find diagrams of the railway lines on the website of the Central Suburban Passenger Company. Although normal rail tickets can only be purchased at the box office, you can buy Aeroexpress tickets in advance on the website or using the mobile app.

Maps and Navigation

Getting around and planning your itinerary in Moscow

veloprokat.medium.jpg

Bicycle and Scooter Rental

How to Rent Two-Wheeled Transport

You may be interested

Access Keys:

  • Skip to first level navigation [Access key N]
  • Home page [Access key 1]
  • Site map [Access key 2]
  • Legal information [Access key 4]
  • Feedback form/Contact Us [Access key 5]
  • Search [Access key 6]
  • Accessibility [Access key 0]
  • About FirstGroup [Access key 7]
  • News and media [Access key 8]
  • Investors [Access key 9]
  • Responsibility [Access key B]
  • Careers [Access key D]

First Bus

  • First Travel Solutions

first bus travel information

  • Greyhound UK
  • First Student UK

First Rail

  • Avanti West Coast
  • Great Western Railway (GWR)
  • South Western Railway
  • TransPennine Express
  • Hull Trains
  • Mistral Data

first bus travel information

  • First ScotRail
  • First Hull Trains

first bus travel information

  • Greyhound US
  • Greyhound Canada
  • Greyhound Mexico

Twitter

News and media

  • Latest news
  • Media library
  • Facts and figures
  • Media contacts

First Bus announces app update to live-track bus capacity

02 Jun 2020

first bus travel information

First Bus will be the first major bus operator to roll out live capacity tracking. This reduces uncertainty for customers and allows them to make informed decisions about their essential journeys. Going live this week, the app update will show customers a bus icon on a map depicting the live location and available capacity of each vehicle in the vicinity. This new functionality will provide customers with the information they need as the bus approaches.

The innovation has been made possible by First Bus’s new passenger counting functionality, announced at the end of May. Data from this system feeds directly to the First Bus app in real time. This app update coincides with First Bus doubling the number of buses operating across England from Monday 1 June, with support from UK Government. The operator expects to be able to increase service levels across its networks in Scotland and Wales in coming weeks.

With social distancing guidance being observed at the same time as lockdown restrictions are being relaxed, this additional capacity will allow customers to travel in comfort and safety. To further support social distancing, and in addition to passenger counting, seats on each bus are now clearly marked indicating where customers should sit.

First Bus continues to encourage cashless payments, and use of the App to purchase mTickets, to reduce the need for contact between customers and drivers.

Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First Bus said “We are really proud to have been able to fast-track this technology to ensure safe, informed travel during these difficult times. Our buses provide an essential service for our customers and we are doing all we can to support them.”

This latest update from First Bus forms part of its ongoing work to improve the customer experience.

first bus travel information

Site services

  • Accessibility
  • Legal information
  • Cookies policy
  • Cookie Settings

Quick links

  • Results centre
  • Reports and presentations
  • Financial calendar
  • FirstGroup plc Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2023
  • FirstGroup plc Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2022

The FirstGroup Pension Scheme

Email alerts

CPT logo

Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download  Adobe Reader .

 alt=

Affordable bus travel from Greyhound

More travel options, enjoy free onboard entertainment, reserve a seat, need to make a change, discover all the places you can go.

Choose from almost 2,300 destinations with Greyhound, FlixBus and our connecting partners!

Greyhound connects thousands of communities across North America by providing convenient, comfortable and affordable bus travel .

With almost 2,300 destinations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Greyhound helps you travel when you want, from where you want. Leave from big cities like New York , Chicago , Atlanta or from smaller cities like Omaha , El Paso , Albany . Big or small, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re booking online or using our Greyhound app we’ve made planning your bus trip easy. You can find ticket prices, up to date bus schedules and bus station information all in one place. Then when you’re ready to travel you can buy your bus ticket online and keep your ticket on your smartphone, so no need to print it out!

With Greyhound you can always travel stress-free . Track My Bus gives you real-time bus stop information and up to date bus timetables. Just add your line number or confirmation number and you can stay up to date on your journey.

Onboard, sit back in our all leather, reclining seats while you’re enjoying our free onboard entertainment (Movies, Games, TV!) or surfing our free Wi-Fi . Stay charged with in seat power ports.

Explore Popular Destinations and Connections

  • New York, NY
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Houston, TX
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Chicago, IL
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Orlando, FL
  • Phoenix-Tempe, AZ
  • San Antonio, TX
  • San Diego, CA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Los Angeles, CA - Las Vegas, NV
  • New York, NY - Boston, MA
  • Boston, MA - New York, NY
  • New York, NY - Washington, D.C.
  • Las Vegas, NV - Los Angeles, CA
  • Washington, D.C. - New York, NY
  • New York, NY - Philadelphia, PA
  • Dallas, TX - Houston, TX
  • Philadelphia, PA - New York, NY
  • New York, NY - Atlantic City, NJ
  • Houston, TX - Dallas, TX
  • New York, NY - Montreal, QC
  • Montreal, QC - New York, NY
  • Toronto, ON - New York, NY
  • New York, NY - Toronto, ON
  • San Diego, CA - Los Angeles, CA
  • Atlantic City, NJ - New York, NY
  • Los Angeles, CA - San Diego, CA
  • Baltimore, MD - New York, NY
  • Albany, NY - New York, NY

Ticketer Rollout of new Ticket Machines across First Bus Increases Revenue and Cuts Fraud

25 September 2018

Ticketer has completed the national installation of over 5,500 contactless Electronic Ticket Machines (ETMs) for First Bus in record time.  The entire First Bus fleet of 5,835 vehicles, from Cornwall to Aberdeen, now accepts mTickets and contactless payments.

The introduction of Ticketer contactless ETMs is part of a £19.3m investment by First Bus aimed at improving the customer experience and to encourage customers to move from cash to digital transactions.  It has been so successful that First Bus is now processing some 1.5 million contactless payments per month, with 33% of payments from its Aberdeen operating company already contactless.  Mobile sales have also accelerated, and are now running at a rate of 1.5 million transactions per week.

Dave Lynch, CIO, First Group, stated, “The roll-out of the Ticketer ETMs has been hugely successful, in so many ways.  Every implementation was completed successfully and bang on time, and passengers immediately embraced the ability to pay using contactless cards, smart phones and via our website.  The introduction of Ticketer will enable us to meet our target for digital payments to exceed cash by mid 2019.”

first bus travel information

First Bus Photograph by Richard Walker

Other benefits First Bus are reporting include faster passenger boarding as well as improved scheduling decisions for service optimisation due to the big data generated by the ETMs.  Built in Schedule Adherence enables drivers to be punctual with a countdown on the ticket machines to departure times.  Passengers also benefit from the data from the ETMs as it is fed into the First Bus Travel Information app, providing real time information about bus service locations and vehicle tracking.

Sarah Mortlock, Retail Operations Manager, First Bus stated, “We’re proud of the significant progress that we’re making with the rollout of contactless, as we’re seeing growth week-on-week, especially within our larger urban operations, such as Bristol and West Yorkshire. We noticed immediately that our drivers and passengers loved the new, easy to use ETMs.  As a result, alongside our contactless offering, the use of mTickets is exceeding our expectations, and year-on-year growth (over 100%) continues to be strong.”

The Ticketer ETMs offer multiple payment options, from cash to mTickets with contactless flexibility offered through the payment service provider Littlepay.  First Bus passengers can also now buy tickets on the First website, with a QR code sent to customers’ smart phones which are scanned as they board the bus.

Amin Shayan, CEO, Littlepay stated “The impressive transaction growth we’ve seen is indisputable evidence of passenger demand for a contactless payment option. First Group has led the way in responding to this demand with a rapid rollout across the UK and Ireland. The proven combination of Ticketer ETMs with Littlepay’s processing platform has reduced the complexity, cost and risks of deploying contactless for operators of all sizes – with resounding success.”

John Clarfelt, Managing Director at Ticketer, comments: “This has been a very exciting project to be involved in.  I am immensely proud of our team, working in complete partnership with First Bus, for taking on board such a major customer, and successfully delivering the solution nationally in a hugely challenging timescale. Our aim is to make bus travel easier and our ETMs have clearly been welcomed by First’s customers as there was an immediate increase in the use of patronage, including mTicketing and contactless, following their introduction.”

The initial 4,000 vehicles were fitted, including two additional areas (Essex and Eastern Counties) following the successful initial roll out.  The largest operating areas, West Yorkshire and Glasgow, with over 800 vehicles each, were completed over four weekends to keep downtime to an absolute minimum.  Greater Manchester was the final First Bus operator to switch to Ticketer ETMs, delivered within 12 weeks from order to completion of rollout.

Dave Lynch continued “We worked very successfully in partnership with Ticketer. We found them to be exceptionally professional and supportive throughout the process.  Nothing was too much trouble for them, they just got on with it, often working all hours to complete each depot for successful rollout, time after time.  At the outset Ticketer promised much – and they delivered it all.”

For further information please contact:

Mercedes Llewellyn [email protected]

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Back To Press

  • Bus industry
  • Connected Bus
  • Contactless
  • Future Transport Innovation
  • Multi-Operator
  • Road Restriction Alerts
  • Smart Gateway
  • Tap On Tap Off

Passenger Transport Feature: Ticketer’s Customer First Ethos

We caught up with Passenger Transport to talk about the driving force behind our latest innovations.

  • Driver Messaging
  • Traffic Light Priority

Transport Ticketing Global: Innovations & The Inside Scoop

Ahead of TTG, we caught up with Richard and Jason on what “innovation” means to Ticketer, as well as the latest ones we’ll be showcasing at the event.

  • Uncategorized

Access All Areas: Road Restriction Alerts Enhancements with Jason Mann

Enjoy an access all areas pass with Jason Mann, Director of Product, who covers our enhanced Road Restriction Alerts functionality.

Some of the things we have won

Transport Ticketing

Received ‘Industry Contributor’ Award, at the 2023 Transport Ticketing Awards.

Highly Commended for 'Ticketing Technology of the Year' Award, at the 2023 Transport Ticketing Awards

first bus travel information

WINNER OF ‘BEST BUSINESS INNOVATION’ AND SHORTLISTED FOR ‘EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR’ AT THE NEWBURY WEEKLY NEWS BEST BUSINESS AWARDS, 2023

first bus travel information

Received 'Most Innovative Public Transport Technology 2022' award, by the UK Transport Awards.

first bus travel information

Winners of the 2022 Euro Bus Expo Innovation Challenge Bronze Award.

first bus travel information

Winners of the 'ROSCO Silver Award for Contribution to Safer Driving' 2022

Profit Track 100 2021

Ranked in The Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100, acknowledging the impressive performance and contributions of the featured companies to the economy and society during the pandemic

Winner of the Transport Ticketing Awards 2021 'Digital Champion' Category

The Queen's Awards For Enterprise: Innovation 2020

Received The Queens Awards for Enterprise: Innovation 2020

Ticketer Award Financial Times 1000

We have ranked in The Financial Times 1000 as one of Europe's fastest growing companies

Tech Track 100 logo

Ranked in the The Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table of Britain's 100 private tech (TMT) companies with fastest growing sales over the last 3 years

Ticketer Award 1000 Companies

Named as one of the London Stock Exchange Group’s “1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2019"

Ticketer Award Megabuyte

Listed as 3rd in the Megabuyte Emerging Stars Awards which recognise the top 25 best-performing scale-up Companies of the Year in the UK, for industry-specific software

Ones to Watch award

Named as “One to Watch” in the European Business Awards

Ticketer Award Thames Valley

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year & High Growth Business of the Year

first bus travel information

Gold Winner of the Coach and Bus Innovation Challenge 2019 for our passenger app Kazoot

Bes Company 2020

Awarded Best Companies accreditation through ‘outstanding’ commitment to workplace engagement

Read more on our press page

Join the Ticketer journey

First Bus Travel Information

Age rating

Description of First Bus Travel Information

The Official First Bus App for the UK makes bus travel even easier.

Our App enables you to find the time of your Next Bus, plan your journey, get updates on any service changes or disruptions and see real time information for bus stops across the UK where available. Other features include; route maps showing the location of bus stops, timetables and details of our tickets and fares. You can also save your favourite stops so you can check times at a glance.

Install it now for free, and get on board with First.

Our features in full:

• Search by service number or destination in 'Travel Info' and find live or scheduled bus times for over 300,000 bus stops across Great Britain in 'Next Bus' (see notes)

• Set 'Stop Alerts' so you know when you are approaching your stop

• Look up route maps for all bus services in Great Britain (see notes)

• The ability to save your favourite bus stop so you can quickly check the time of your next bus

• Create a personal timetable to suit your journey by departure and arrival times, route, direction of travel, day of the week and even the time of day between two locations on any First Bus route

• Up to date news and information about First Bus services

• Details of ticket types and fares available on First Bus networks

• Contact details for First customer services with links to Twitter and Facebook sites where available

Next Bus and Route Maps features use data supplied by Traveline. We always try to provide as accurate and detailed route and service information as we possibly can but sometimes this can be affected by the data available to us. If you notice anything missing, or would like to suggest an improvement, please let us know using the link; https://response.questback.com/firstgroupplc/cp0mrjktee/

To see a full list of the areas where live real time, next bus information is available please visit; http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/assets/pdfs/app/realtime.pdf

Route maps:

The red line representing the route between bus stops is generated automatically and may occasionally deviate from the actual route taken. As routing technology improves we’ll provide updates.

Troubleshooting:

Before reporting errors we would recommend you uninstall and reinstall the App. As with most general IT problems, turning it ‘on and off again’ can cure most general issues. If this doesn’t work, please contact us; we’ll be happy to help.

To report an issue with your app, please visit; https://response.questback.com/firstgroupplc/cp0mrjktee/

</br>

</br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br>

First Bus Travel Information - Version 5.8.0

There are no reviews or ratings yet! To leave the first one please

First Bus Travel Information - APK Information

Latest version of first bus travel information.

first bus travel information

Other versions

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

GSA Logo

  • Explore sell to government
  • Ways you can sell to government
  • How to access contract opportunities
  • Conduct market research
  • Register your business
  • Certify as a small business
  • Become a schedule holder
  • Market your business
  • Research active solicitations
  • Respond to a solicitation
  • What to expect during the award process
  • Comply with contractual requirements
  • Handle contract modifications
  • Monitor past performance evaluations
  • Explore real estate
  • 3D-4D building information modeling
  • Art in architecture | Fine arts
  • Computer-aided design standards
  • Commissioning
  • Design excellence
  • Engineering
  • Project management information system
  • Spatial data management
  • Facilities operations
  • Smart buildings
  • Tenant services
  • Utility services
  • Water quality management
  • Explore historic buildings
  • Heritage tourism
  • Historic preservation policy, tools and resources
  • Historic building stewardship
  • Videos, pictures, posters and more
  • NEPA implementation
  • Courthouse program
  • Land ports of entry
  • Prospectus library
  • Regional buildings
  • Renting property
  • Visiting public buildings
  • Real property disposal
  • Reimbursable services (RWA)
  • Rental policy and procedures
  • Site selection and relocation
  • For businesses seeking opportunities
  • For federal customers
  • For workers in federal buildings
  • Explore policy and regulations
  • Acquisition management policy
  • Aviation management policy
  • Information technology policy
  • Real property management policy
  • Relocation management policy
  • Travel management policy
  • Vehicle management policy
  • Federal acquisition regulations
  • Federal management regulations
  • Federal travel regulations
  • GSA acquisition manual
  • Managing the federal rulemaking process
  • Explore small business
  • Explore business models
  • Research the federal market
  • Forecast of contracting opportunities
  • Events and contacts
  • Explore travel
  • Per diem rates
  • Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
  • State tax exemption
  • Travel charge card
  • Conferences and meetings
  • E-gov travel service (ETS)
  • Travel category schedule
  • Federal travel regulation
  • Travel policy
  • Explore technology
  • Cloud computing services
  • Cybersecurity products and services
  • Data center services
  • Hardware products and services
  • Professional IT services
  • Software products and services
  • Telecommunications and network services
  • Work with small businesses
  • Governmentwide acquisition contracts
  • MAS information technology
  • Software purchase agreements
  • Cybersecurity
  • Digital strategy
  • Emerging citizen technology
  • Federal identity, credentials, and access management
  • Mobile government
  • Technology modernization fund
  • Explore about us
  • Annual reports
  • Mission and strategic goals
  • Role in presidential transitions
  • Get an internship
  • Launch your career
  • Elevate your professional career
  • Discover special hiring paths
  • Events and training
  • Agency blog
  • Congressional testimony
  • GSA does that podcast
  • News releases
  • Leadership directory
  • Staff directory
  • Office of the administrator
  • Federal Acquisition Service
  • Public Buildings Service
  • Staff offices
  • Board of Contract Appeals
  • Office of Inspector General
  • Region 1 | New England
  • Region 2 | Northeast and Caribbean
  • Region 3 | Mid-Atlantic
  • Region 4 | Southeast Sunbelt
  • Region 5 | Great Lakes
  • Region 6 | Heartland
  • Region 7 | Greater Southwest
  • Region 8 | Rocky Mountain
  • Region 9 | Pacific Rim
  • Region 10 | Northwest/Arctic
  • Region 11 | National Capital Region
  • Per Diem Lookup

Privately owned vehicle (POV) mileage reimbursement rates

GSA has adjusted all POV mileage reimbursement rates effective January 1, 2024.

Airplane nautical miles (NMs) should be converted into statute miles (SMs) or regular miles when submitting a voucher using the formula (1 NM equals 1.15077945 SMs).

For calculating the mileage difference between airports, please visit the U.S. Department of Transportation's Inter-Airport Distance website.

QUESTIONS: For all travel policy questions, email [email protected]

The shortcut to this page is gsa.gov/mileage.

Have travel policy questions? Use our ' Have a Question? ' site

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 choose a location.

Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.

IMAGES

  1. First Bus Travel Information

    first bus travel information

  2. First Bus Travel Information

    first bus travel information

  3. First Bus Travel Information

    first bus travel information

  4. First Bus Travel Information

    first bus travel information

  5. First Bus Travel App

    first bus travel information

  6. Latest travel information from First Bus

    first bus travel information

COMMENTS

  1. Journey planner

    Please enter your starting point and destination below to get started. %%JOURNEY_PLANNER_APP%%

  2. First Bus

    Our UK Bus division operates around a fifth of local bus services in the UK and is one of the largest bus operators with a fleet of approximately 6,400 buses around the England, Scotland and Wales. We have bus routes serving 40 of the UK's largest towns and cities providing great value public transport for students, commuters, leisure travellers and concession travellers.

  3. Home

    Using real-time information, the First Bus App also lets you know when your next bus is arriving, and available capacity; helping to prevent long waits at the bus stop. To help you travel with confidence we have developed new functionality in our Mobile App. And you can now track your bus live on a map so you know exactly where it is and when ...

  4. First Bus

    About FirstGroup. First Bus is one of the largest regional bus operators in the UK, with more than 1.1m passenger journeys daily in 2022/23. Making journeys easier for our customers, we were the first national bus operator to accept contactless card payments across all of our services, and in 2022/23 we became the first regional bus operator in ...

  5. First Bus

    CHECK LIVE BUS TIMES. The First Bus App is the best way to get live bus times and route information. You can save your favourite stops, routes and locations and revisit recently searched journeys. The map shows the bus stops nearby where you can see live updates to check where and when your bus is coming letting you head to your bus stop just ...

  6. ‎First Bus on the App Store

    The First Bus App is the best way to get live bus times and route information. You can save your favourite stops, routes and locations and revisit recently searched journeys. The map shows the bus stops nearby where you can see live updates to check where and when your bus is coming letting you head to your bus stop just before your bus is due.

  7. ‎First Bus on the App Store

    iPhone. iPad. Plan a journey, buy a great value mobile ticket (mTicket) or find where your bus is with live bus times - you can do all this and more with the First Bus App, making bus travel even easier. PLAN YOUR JOURNEY. With our door to door route planner you can check your quickest route to work or plan a new adventure and help you to get ...

  8. Moscow Bus Network

    More modern buses have screens indicating the stops along the route, but in older ones you may well struggle knowing where to get off if relying on the Russian-language loudspeaker announcements. If you do decide to catch the bus, tickets can be purchased from kiosks and metro stops, and the majority of lines operate between 6 am and 1 am ...

  9. First Bus

    First Bus | 6,350 followers on LinkedIn. One of UK's largest bus companies delivering over a million passenger journeys every week for the communities we serve. | First Bus is one of the UK's ...

  10. Moscow transport: metro, bus & taxi in Moscow

    Metro prices in Moscow. A single trip = 57 rubles (from February 1, 2020) Price for transporting a suitcase in the metro = 60 rubles. With a transport card, the price of the journey decreases. Example: with the Troika card the price per trip increases to 40 rubles. More details about troika card below.

  11. 20+ Things to Know Before You Travel By Bus in the USA

    3 Things to know about bus travel in the United States. 3.0.1 The bus stations…. 3.0.2 Finding the bus departure place may be harder than you realize! 3.0.3 You might get dropped off in the middle of nowhere. 3.0.4 Avoid buses that depart or arrive late at night.

  12. First Bus releases new travel app

    The updated First Bus Travel Information app will be easy for users to navigate with their most frequently used information available and key features will include: Multi-modal door-to-door journey planning covering all modes (i.e. bus, rail and tram) and all operators across the UK;

  13. First Bus App

    Download our updated First Bus app for improved live bus tracking, journey planning and search features. The First Bus app is the smarter way to catch the bus. You'll never have to worry about losing your ticket or forgetting your change, as you can buy and store tickets on your phone. Just scan each mobile ticket when you hop on board and ...

  14. Ticket prices and travelcards

    This is the most economical option if you're spending a few days in the Russian capital. The card can be purchased and recharged at various station machines or even with the special Moscow Metro application. Your balance can be checked on the app or in the small yellow terminals inside the metro stations. A trip works out at ₽ 42 (. 5.50) for ...

  15. Moscow Transport

    Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleybuses. Moscow's public land transport network covers the entirety of the city: buses and streetcars arrive with the same frequency as metro trains, and many routes connect the city's center and its outskirts. A system of night buses operates daily between 12:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., running from the Kitay-Gorod metro ...

  16. First Bus announces app update to live-track bus capacity

    First Bus continues to encourage cashless payments, and use of the App to purchase mTickets, to reduce the need for contact between customers and drivers. Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First Bus said "We are really proud to have been able to fast-track this technology to ensure safe, informed travel during these difficult times.

  17. Bus

    A New Routemaster double-decker bus, operating for Arriva London on London Buses route 73 (2015) A Toronto Transit Commission bus system trolleybus in Toronto (1987). A bus (contracted from omnibus, with variants multibus, motorbus, autobus, etc.) is a road vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van, but less than the average rail transport.

  18. Bristol, Bath and the West

    The bus stops in Brislington Square will continue to be used in the right direction for travel.----For more information please contact our Customer Services Department. Telephone: 0345 646 0707 (Calls cost 12p per minute plus network charges) Customer service contact us. Postal address: First Bus, Enterprise House, Easton Road, Bristol, BS5 0DZ

  19. Greyhound: Affordable Bus Tickets Across US, Canada & Mexico

    Greyhound connects thousands of communities across North America by providing convenient, comfortable and affordable bus travel.. With almost 2,300 destinations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Greyhound helps you travel when you want, from where you want. Leave from big cities like New York, Chicago, Atlanta or from smaller cities like Omaha, El Paso, Albany.

  20. Ticketer Rollout of new Ticket Machines across First Bus Increases

    Passengers also benefit from the data from the ETMs as it is fed into the First Bus Travel Information app, providing real time information about bus service locations and vehicle tracking. Sarah Mortlock, Retail Operations Manager, First Bus stated, "We're proud of the significant progress that we're making with the rollout of ...

  21. First Bus Travel Information

    The Official First Bus App for the UK makes bus travel even easier. Our App enables you to find the time of your Next Bus, plan your journey, get updates on any service changes or disruptions and see real time information for bus stops across the UK where available. Other features include; route maps showing the location of bus stops ...

  22. Buy a ticket

    First Bus App Buying mTickets on the First Bus App is the most convenient way to buy tickets 24 hours a day 7 days a week and they are often cheaper, so why not buy before you travel? With a wide range available, including weekly and monthly tickets, there's no need to have the right change as you can make your purchase in advance. Simply scan your mobile ticket when you hop on board, and ...

  23. Privately owned vehicle (POV) mileage reimbursement rates

    GSA has adjusted all POV mileage reimbursement rates effective January 1, 2024. Modes of transportation. Effective/Applicability date. Rate per mile. Airplane*. January 1, 2024. $1.76. If use of privately owned automobile is authorized or if no Government-furnished automobile is available. January 1, 2024.

  24. Contact us

    If you would prefer to talk to us, our Customer Service team is happy to help. You can call us on 0345 646 0707 and our lines are open from 9am to 5pm Monday - Friday. Our quieter times are usually between 11am and 3pm so you may prefer to call then, as there will be less of a wait to speak to one of our Customer Service advisors.