How to catch the bus
We want to help you catch a bus, so we provide tools to make planning a bus journey easier for you. We have a journey planner » and we also have a First Bus App for your smartphone.
Plan your Bus journey.
In the Journey planner » Choose your area of departure and your destination. The suggested routes will show directions to the bus stop, departure and arrival times and service number (Bus route number). You can also see the route highlighted on a map.
If you want to find out more about a specific route, you can use our timetable pages » to see the latest timetables, and our News and service updates pages» to look for disruptions and route changes.
Choose a ticket.
We offer a range of tickets to suit different types of trips, whether you are travelling every day or just once a month. You can buy tickets on this website » or on our First Bus app:
Using mTickets on the First Bus app makes ticket purchasing and travel easier as you can buy tickets at a time that suits you, and mTickets allow for faster boarding of the bus than paying cash.
We also accept contactless payments on our buses.
The bus stop
Find out what time your bus arrives at the stop using our journey planner »:. Traffic conditions on the route can cause bus arrival times to vary, so it's best to be there a few minutes before.
If you use our journey planner » it will show you the location of the bus stop. When you get there you can confirm if it’s the correct stop by looking for the service numbers (Bus route numbers) which are usually displayed on the bus stop sign or on the timetable panel (this will either be on a pole or inside a bus shelter).
At the bus stop you will need to look out for your bus as you might need to make it stop for you.
Signal the bus to stop
As the bus approaches, check the route number and final destination displayed on the front of the bus. Raise your arm and put out your hand as a signal to the driver that you want that bus. Please stay safe and be careful not to reach your arm out beyond the curb.
Ask the driver for your destination - and if you're not sure, please say.
Buying or using your ticket
It’s best to buy before you travel, using mTickets on our First Bus app but If you need to buy a ticket on the bus and are unsure which ticket you need, just ask the driver who will be happy to advise you which ticket is best for your journey. Using contactless to pay or having change for the correct fare will help reduce delays when getting on the bus.
Carefully take your seat and relax
Enjoy watching the world go by as we drive you to your destination. Unlike a car journey there’s no need to worry about parking, and you can read or use your phone during the journey.
To make it easier for you to get on and off the bus, most buses can lower their suspension. Please use the poles in the bus to steady yourself. Special seating areas are available on many of our buses for passengers who are disabled, elderly or using a buggy. Please bear in mind that special seating areas can get full at busy times of the day.
When you want to get off.
Press the bell once as you approach the stop where you want to get off, stay seated until the bus stops. If you are unsure where the bus stops near your destination, ask the driver for help when you get on the bus.
Please ensure that you have all of your belongings before leaving the bus.
If you are travelling on the route for the first time check the journey planner to see where the bus picks up on the way back, or ask the driver.
We hope you have a great journey.
We are committed to providing quality bus services that are punctual, reliable and offer good value for money, and we would like to hear from you, please complete our survey here »
If you have a problem with your journey please call our customer service team on 0345 646 0707.
If you are finding it challenging to plan a bus journey, why not ask a bus-savvy friend to help or call our customer service team on 0345 646 0707.
Travel training is often available from local councils » search your council website for “Travel training” or follow this link » (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=council+travel+training&safe=active&ssui=on)
Thank you for choosing to travel with First Bus.