“Anywhere in the world, running quality, high-frequency service draws people in, giving people great service at a value that they cannot beat.”

Giles Fearnley, Managing Director for First Bus, is a great ambassador and evangelist for the transportation industry. First Bus runs about 19% of buses operating within the UK, but like many places, bus ridership is on the decline at ~2% per year.

Fearnley discusses how congestion issues and the economy are predominant factors in declining ridership. His strategy to combat declining ridership is to improve the customer experience. Some of the tactics involve providing new faring options, ticketing and real-time information through the First Bus mobile app, increasing bus frequency, and changing their bus networks. The technology enables riders to leverage information and different payment options. Finally, the redesigned networks better connect people to jobs, shopping, universities, etc. This change has helped Bristol increase ridership ~46% over five years

If you want to know more about First Bus, check out their website.

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