Stagecoach launch new app for NHS workers to pre book journeys to and from work

The Stagecoach Connect app, which will enable NHS staff to pre-book their travel to and from work for free, will be trialled for workers at the King’s Mill Hospital in Mansfield.

The initiative was developed from concept to delivery in just two weeks to help NHS employees access hospitals in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stagecoach partnered with ViaVan, the company that provides digital infrastructure to power public mobility in cities across Europe, to launch the new Stagecoach Connect service.

Staff members who download the app will be able to pre-book their return journey.

They can select their location for pick-up and the time they wish to arrive at the hospital, then confirm the time for their return journey home.

Users will receive an SMS confirmation of their booking, plus the app allows them to track their bus and receive confirmation when it is nearby.

Journeys can be booked up to seven days in advance and users can also amend and cancel bookings via the app.

NHS staff will need to show their ID card to indicate to the driver that they are eligible for the service.

A list of booked journeys will be available to the driver to correlate with those boarding the bus, to ensure each booked journey is delivered.

Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “We are pleased to unveil the Stagecoach Connect app to help support our brilliant NHS staff with getting to and from their shifts. Not only will this new technology ensure that social distancing can be effectively implemented on buses, in line with the government regulations, but we also hope that it will give NHS staff more control and peace of mind when it comes to planning their commute and using our buses safely.”

Ben Widdowson, associate director for estates and facilities for Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said: “It is great that we have been able to work together to find a solution to keep our staff as safe as possible.”