Bus Users UK has published the results of a research project in Scotland to assess bus operator apps for accessibility and ease of use.

Carried out by the charity’s Compliance Team, the study focused on two of Scotland’s most widely used bus apps, Lothian Buses and McGill’s Midland Bluebird, both of which have recently undergone major upgrade enhancements.

The study took the same approach as Bus Users UK’s influential paper on Welsh bus operator apps, using the same techniques for analysis to ensure fairness and consistency. Both apps were assessed for accessibility around ticketing, journey planning, timetable search, mapping, user accounts, operating systems and overall ease of use.

Greig Mackay, Bus Users UK’s Director for Scotland described the performance of both bus apps as encouraging: “The results of our study for both the Lothian Buses and Midland Bluebird Apps were generally positive, with room for improvement in assistive technologies and customer service and feedback functions.

“Advances in technology, particularly in the field of AI, are making apps even easier to use and developments in ticketing such as multimodal, multi-operator account-based ticketing and tap-tap-cap schemes, are improving journey planning and access to services.

“We want to see even more operators adopt best practice when it comes to developing apps and one of the best ways to achieve this is by working collaboratively with people with a range of disabilities. That way, we can ensure bus apps and bus travel are accessible to everyone.”

(Pic: First Bus)