Bus operator launches new partnership with Department of Work & Pensions.
New pilot is aimed at easier access to bus services for Jobseekers.
DWP to benefit with streamlined costs and bus tickets savings with mTickets.
First Aberdeen and DWP committed to working in partnership to improve and simplify the customer experience for Jobseekers and support for their route back into work.
Local bus operator First Aberdeen are delighted to announce the roll out of a new pilot in partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) aimed at improving and simplifying the customer experience for Jobseekers looking to access bus services as part of their support with the route back into work.
The new scheme sees the bus operator providing the DWP with digital mTickets via the First Bus app to replace the need for paper tickets or vouchers being issued. Jobseekers can now be issued with weekly or monthly tickets for job interviews, work placements and training opportunities.
This new, more secure, solution offers some great cost savings on the cost of these tickets on the public purse and allows for an easy track record of use. This allows the DWP to streamline their processes meaning their staff have more time to focus on support for their client’s route back to work. First Aberdeen are currently one of the market leaders in driving the switch to digital payment methods and removing cash from the buses which helps with speedier boarding times and can ultimately help to speed up journeys.
The pilot has been rolled out across Aberdeen and if successful could potentially be rolled out nationwide in the coming months. The First Aberdeen team have been training the DWP staff on how to use and download the mTickets whilst providing an easy to use guide for their clients in support of the pilot.
Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director for First Bus in Scotland, said: “This pilot reinforces our commitment to improving the customer experience and ease of access to our services for all areas of society. We have heavily invested millions of pounds in recent years in new technology such as real-time ticket machines and mobile ticketing apps to simplify the use of local services.
“This pilot is another example of what can be achieved when we work in partnership with local government bodies to improve local transport. We are delighted to be working closely with the DWP team on this project and hopefully this is the beginning of a lasting partnership.”
Janet Richardson, Director for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), said: “Aberdeen Jobcentre is delighted to work in partnership with First Bus to support our customers experience in accessing bus services by moving from paper tickets to a digital system. This is a great example of how we can work together for the benefit of the people across our communities”
Find out more about all our local bus services at www.FirstAberdeen.com
ENDS
For more information, contact Graeme Lafferty, PR Executive (Scotland) for First Bus on 07970507432 or email [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS
First Aberdeen
First Aberdeen is the largest bus operator in the city with more than 176 buses and coaches carrying more than 16 million passengers across Aberdeen in the past 12 months. The company operates from its King Street bus depot and employs more than 450 staff. Thanks to our digital strategy and a change in customer demand for bus tickets, we now more than 73% paying using cashless methods such as mTicket, Smartcard or contactless payments across our services. For more information, please visit www.firstaberdeen.com
About FirstGroup
FirstGroup plc is a leading transport operator in the UK and North America and our services help to create strong, vibrant and sustainable local economies. During the last year, two billion people relied on us to get to work, to school, to visit family and friends and much more. Each day, every one of our 100,000 employees works hard to deliver vitally important services for our passengers.
For more information about FirstGroup please visit www.firstgroupplc.com
First Bus
First Bus is one of the largest bus operators in the UK, serving towns and cities across the country, with a fleet of over 6,000 buses carrying 1.6 million passenger a day. The business is:
- Focussed on improving the customer experience through investment in driver training, new technology and operations.
- Influencing customer behaviour through investment in the right digital channels, which includes smarter ticketing options and developing our apps, Web2mobile and CRM systems.
- Working in partnership with local authorities to combat road congestion.
- Committed to investing in vehicles with ultra-low emissions that assist with improving air quality.
For more information about First Bus please visit www.firstgroup.com