NEW BOOKING SYSTEM FOR THE T1B BUS TO THORNBURY

Local MP Luke Hall has praised First West of England’s first of its kind booking system for space on the T1b bus between Bristol and Thornbury.  

This initiative will begin from the 10th August, but is bookable from the 3rd August.

Bookings can be made up to seven days in advance of the journey, with the flexibility of being able to reserve a space, subject to availability, right up to 15 minutes before departure. Customers will have the option of buying a ticket with their reservation or booking at no extra cost if they already have a pre-paid First Bus ticket or are a concessionary card holder travelling after 9.00 am.

With capacity onboard currently reduced due to social distancing, the reservation will secure a space on the chosen bus rather than a specific seat. Bookings will be made on a new, dedicated website, www.bookmybusride.com, with the customer receiving an email confirmation that is either scanned onboard or shown alongside the customer’s pre-paid ticket.

Bookings will be possible for all Monday to Friday morning and afternoon peak time journeys on the T1, with just under 50% of the socially distanced capacity being bookable and the remaining seats left available for customers to board and pay as normal without a booking. To make the bookable services clear to users, it will carry a new service numbers –T1b – which will be reflected on the destination displays on the front of the buses and in timetable and real time information available at bus stops, on the First Bus app and online. 

Reservations for a seat start on 3rd August, via  www.bookmybusride.com now.  For customers who are not able to make an online booking, a dedicated phone line is also being trialled and is available on 07866977586, Monday to Friday from 09.00-17.00 (excluding Public Holidays). Confirmation of all phone bookings will be sent in the post and the bus operator recommends making phone bookings seven days in advance of your journey to allow time for this delivery.

Luke Hall said:

“This is a fantastic new service which will help us feel safe and secure using public transport. Its positive that the West of England Combined Authority have acknowledged the importance of improving the transport links and accessibility for people living in Thornbury. This really does show the effectiveness of having Tim Bowles as our Conservative West of England Metro Mayor."