PEOPLE are being warned that catching a bus is a lot less easy than it used to be.

As well as the requirement to have a face covering, spaces are likely to be limited.

But before hopping on a bus, it is now possible to find out how many seats are free on it.

First Bus has added a new feature to its app, which helps to check if there’s enough vacant seats on your bus.

It should help passengers follow safe social distancing rules and make travelling and planning, a little easier.

Passengers who download the app to their smart phone can search for their bus service. This will be identified on a map. They can then click on the bus icon to get real time information about how many seats are available.

Using the app travellers can also buy First Bus tickets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekly and monthly tickets. When boarding the bus, simply scan the mobile ticket.

“This is a positive step which will provide passengers with information about their journey and will allow them to consider social distancing requirements,” said Nigel Eggleton, managing director of First Bus.

Alan Amos, cabinet member for highways and transport at Worcestershire County Council, believes that the app will be very useful for people planning to travel by bus.

National guidance recommends that wherever possible people should avoid public transport and walk, cycle or drive, but for some people this may not be an option.

To find out more about safety measures on First Bus go to www.firstgroup.com. The First Bus app can be downloaded from from both Google Play and Apple’s App Store.