72576-24SWINDON'S buses have moved into the 21st Century with the launch of a new text message service.

The £10,000 scheme the largest of its kind in the country allows bus users to find out the times of the next three scheduled buses from any stop in the borough.

For people with mobile phones, it means less hanging around at bus stops or arriving just as your bus leaves.

Julie Williams of the information service Traveline, which runs the text message service, was delighted the service was now up and running in Swindon.

"The service blankets the entire area of Swindon, and we will shortly be putting up the information stickers on each bus stop in the town advising people how to use the service," she said.

For mobile phone users, the system is easy to use. Simply key in a bus stop code, which will soon be found on all borough bus stops, and then text it to 84268. A text message is sent telling you when the bus will arrive.

Ian Manning, manager of Stagecoach in the west country, said: "This service will bring enormous benefits to bus users. People can now use the bus on the spur of the moment, rather than having to plan their trip.

"It is particularly useful to younger generations, who we need to encourage more to use the bus."

John Owen, managing director of Thamedown Transport, said there were limitations, as the service does not currently provide real-time information which would show delays.

"But we are working hard to improve bus punctuality and over 90 per cent of our buses are on time," he said

Coun Jemima Milton, (Con Wroughton and Chiseldon), the lead member for Environ-ment and Transport, said: " I think it will be great for local people."

Similar schemes have been in operation in Lancashire, the Midlands and Devon but Swindon is the largest scheme yet and 1,000 bus stops are included.

Bus use in Swindon is growing at around five per cent a year. In 2003-4 there were 10.4 million passenger journeys in the town.

How it works

To find out the times of the next buses from Prospect in Old Town to the Town Centre you would type in SWIDMTP

Then you would send the code to the number 84268

Within 20-30 seconds a reply will return with information on the buses using the stop

Charges are 25p plus whatever the charge is from your service provider

Anthony Osborne