New technology brings seat backs to life on the Glasgow Shuttle

With the start of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games just over a week away, First Glasgow’s award-winning Glasgow Shuttle bus service has introduced new technology which will bring bus seat-backs to life and help welcome thousands of visitors to Glasgow.

The app launches an interactive action screen showing short films about Glasgow 2014 preparations

The Glasgow Shuttle service 500, which provides a direct 15 minute service between Glasgow Airport and the city centre, is the first airport service in the world to fit ‘augmented reality’ technology to the back of bus seats.

Now customers can simply download the First Scotland AR app and point their mobile phone, or tablet, at a vinyl fitted to the seat in front. The app launches an interactive action screen showing short films about Glasgow 2014 preparations and all that’s going on in the city. As the Games approach, the presentation will be updated to include links to the latest news, including traffic and travel reports. Content has been produced by First Glasgow in partnership with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) which is responsible for the city’s award-winning PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW brand.

First Glasgow’s managing director, Fiona Kerr said: “We expect the Glasgow Shuttle to carry thousands of visitors this summer thanks to Glasgow 2014. We’re well prepared for the Games and I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to implement ground-breaking new ‘augmented reality’ technology to help welcome visitors to Glasgow.

“Our new ‘augmented reality’ feature brings our seat-backs to life and makes bus travel more interesting, enjoyable and useful for our Shuttle customers and complements the free Wi-Fi on board. It demonstrates that we are at the forefront of new technology – we’re only the second company in the world to use this kind of technology on the backs of our seats.

“Over the last couple of years we’ve invested significantly in our services, including the Glasgow Shuttle which is helping attract more customers than ever before – thanks to its low floor easy access, extra luggage racks, comfortable leather seats and free Wi-Fi.”

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “As the UK’s first Future City, Glasgow’s ambition is to become a global leader in the development and use of intelligent technologies that will better serve, and be more responsive to, the needs of our residents and visitors.

“As we prepare to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to the best ever Commonwealth Games, now is the perfect time to launch this innovative technology on the Glasgow Shuttle and I’m delighted to see First Glasgow taking this industry leading step. Initiatives such as this will help ensure that visitors to Glasgow this summer enjoy a fantastic experience from the moment they arrive.”

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “To be the first airport shuttle service in the world to install this leading edge technology is a fantastic achievement and something First Glasgow should be very proud of. The Glasgow Shuttle provides an excellent service to the millions of passengers who use the airport every year.”

The augmented reality content includes links to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW websites as well as videos updating customers on some of First’s big news, including progress on the company’s new Cathcart Road depot, First Glasgow’s easy-to-use simpliCITY network and the national award won by First’s Glasgow Shuttle service.

How to experience the Glasgow Shuttle’s augmented reality

1. Simply download the First Scotland AR app for Apple or Android devices.
2. Use the Glasgow Shuttle’s free Wi-Fi.
3. Scan the vinyl poster on the seatback in front of you.
4. Follow simple instructions to see the city come to life in your hands.

The Glasgow Shuttle operates up to every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, 364 days a year – and was voted Scotland’s Best Bus Service in 2013 at the Scottish Transport Awards. Arriving and departing outside Glasgow Airport’s terminal building, the Glasgow Shuttle easily connects with First’s simpliCITY network of services in the city centre. Tickets can be bought online from www.firstglasgow.com