Improved Bus Services And More From Family-Owned Safeguard Coaches

Published on: 10 Sep, 2021
Updated on: 12 Sep, 2021

Safeguard Coaches increased the number of journeys provided on its bus routes on Monday this week (September 6).

As well as increasing the number of bus journeys, new fare products, simpler ways of buying tickets, and a new app, Safeguard has also taken delivery of two new coaches. Picture by Richard Kirwin.

The family-owned bus and coach operator says it has also taken the opportunity to introduce new fares products, simpler ways of buying tickets, the ability for customers to track its buses, plus a new range of publicity leaflets containing details of all the changes which are available from drivers and other local outlets.

Safeguard’s service from Bellfields to Guildford town centre has been renumbered from 3s to 3 with minor adjustments to bus times.

Routes 4 and 5 (from Guildford town centre to the Royal Surrey County Hospital and Park Barn) will now run more frequently at busy times including every few minutes to and from Park Barn, and every 12 minutes between the town centre, railway station and the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

There will be more buses on Sundays including evenings when journeys will be restored following their curtailment at the start of the Covid crisis.

Safeguard is now offering a range of one-, seven- and 28-day tickets which give unlimited travel on Routes 3, 4 and 5. Adult, young adult (aged 17 to 24 years) and child (five to 6 years) versions are available and can be bought from bus drivers or via the Safeguard’s new MyTrip smartphone app.

One way and return fares are also available – with continuing discounts for NHS staff – and Safeguard confirms it still accepts cash and gives change.

Safeguard says its MyTrip smartphone app also allows customers to track its buses in real time and “therefore be reassured that their bus is on its way. Or they can use the app to accurately time their arrival at the bus stop so that they don’t have to wait too long”.

The app also gives an indication of the number of passengers on board an approaching bus which can help with social distancing.

Safeguard’s managing director Andrew Halliday confirms it continues to fog its vehicles daily with anti-viral chemicals and cleans frequent touch points regularly.

With customers advised to wear a face covering and buses generally having plenty of space, My Halliday said that he believed bus travel to be completely safe and that the improvements being introduced will encourage people to use the bus and help improve Guildford’s air quality and traffic problems.

Safeguard’s two new coaches with stand-out imagery on their rears. Picture by Richard Kirwin.

Safeguard is also investing in its coach fleet and has taken delivery of two new 57-seat coaches with all the features expected of a modern touring coach.

One of the coaches will work for Safeguard’s Farnham Coaches division. Mr Halliday added: “With stand-out imagery on their rears these two coaches will be very noticeable.”