A new booking system is being introduced on peak time buses between Thornbury and Bristol.

Bookings will be available up to seven days in advance of the journey, and until 15 minutes before departure, on the T1 service.

This initiative, First West of England’s first of its kind, will begin from August 10, but is bookable from August 3.

Customers will have the option of buying a ticket with their reservation or booking at no extra cost if they already have a pre-paid First Bus ticket or are a concessionary card holder travelling after 9.00 am.

With capacity onboard currently reduced due to social distancing, the reservation will secure a space on the chosen bus rather than a specific seat.

Bookings can be made at bookmybusride.com, with the customer receiving an email confirmation that is either scanned onboard or shown alongside the customer’s pre-paid ticket.

Bookings will be possible for all Monday to Friday morning and afternoon peak time journeys on the T1, with just under 50 per cent of the socially distanced capacity being bookable and the remaining seats left available for customers to board and pay as normal without a booking.

The bookable service will carry a new number –T1b – which will be reflected on the destination displays on the front of the buses and in timetable and real time information available at bus stops, on the First Bus app and online.

For customers who are not able to make an online booking, a dedicated phone line is also being trialled and is available on 07866977586, Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm (excluding Public Holidays).

MP Luke Hall has praised the new service.

He said: “This is a fantastic new service which will help us feel safe and secure using public transport.

"It's positive that the West of England Combined Authority have acknowledged the importance of improving the transport links and accessibility for people living in Thornbury.

This really does show the effectiveness of having Tim Bowles as our Conservative West of England Metro Mayor."