COMMUTERS in Bolton can now see where their next bus is coming from thanks to a mobile phone app.

The First Bus app — alongside its newly designed website — will now provide up to date, real-time information for customers about where and when their next bus will be arriving.

The First Bus App is available on both the Iphone and android smartphones.

By selecting the bus stop on the screen, customers can see a countdown in minutes until their bus arrives.

This new initiative aims to remove the unpredictability around using the bus and helps customers plan their own time allowing that little longer for a lie-in or finishing a job at work.

To ensure that customers can get access to travel information in as many places as possible, First Bus has opened its real time data to third parties like Traveline www.traveline-northwest.co.uk and the Citymapper application, a journey planner for all modes www.citymapper.com/manchester available on Android, iOS and Web.

First have also launched free, 4G Wi-Fi on the vast majority of its buses across Greater Manchester.

The latest initiative represents an investment of more than £1.5m by First and follows the introduction of mobile ticketing across Manchester last year allowing customers to buy their ticket directly via their smart phone.

Adrian Worsfold, business manager for First in Manchester added: “We’re delighted to launch this new, smarter travel package for our customers today.

"This investment provides real-time information for our customers as well as making our services more convenient and easier to use.

"I’m sure these new products will be welcomed by customers and attract even more people to using First buses.”