News

Merry Text-mas!

Don't drink and drive this Christmas and New Year - text for the bus instead!

Poole's network of modern and convenient bus services are a great way of getting around town, but waiting around at bus stops can be chilly business in winter.

The Text 4 Times service allows you to check latest bus times and whether your bus is running on time from the comfort of your own home, office, school or even the pub, via your mobile phone.

The system uses satellite technology using a Real Time information service to track your bus. Each bus stop has a sign with a unique seven-digit code - by texting this to 84268, users receive a message with the times of the next three buses from that stop, meaning you can arrive at the stop just as your bus does!

The service usually costs 25 pence per text message plus the standard network charge, but thanks to sponsorship from public transport information service Traveline , the 25 pence fee will not be charged for enquiries about bus stops in Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset throughout December 2009 and January 2010.

The Text 4 Times scheme has proved hugely popular since it was launched in July 2007 with almost 100,000 text messages sent to the service.

Councillor Mike White, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transportation, Borough of Poole, said: "The popularity of the text service has far exceeded our expectations and we are really pleased it is such a valuable service to people using local bus services. Christmas can be an expensive time of year, and we hope that the added incentive of the service being almost free of charge this month will encourage more people to try it out."

Get texting and give it a go. Save time and money this Christmas with Text 4 Times and hop on a bus for a cheap, easy and convenient way of getting about.

For more information please visit the Getting About website.