FAQ

  • Are the buses fully accessible?
  • All of our buses are low-floor, easy access buses which are suitable for wheelchairs to travel on. They also have ramps at the entrance so that wheelchairs can access the bus easily. In the event that the bus stop does not have a raised kerb the driver can assist you in accessing the bus by lowering the ramp.
    Each bus has space for one wheelchair. It is the Customer’s responsibility to ensure that their wheelchair is safely positioned within the designated area and that they adhere to any notices applicable to that area and ensure that it does not obstruct or block any exit or gangway.
  • Do you allow mobility scooters on the bus?
  • We accept Class 2 mobility scooters (as designated by the Department for Transport) provided the mobility scooter does not exceed 1000mm long and 600mm wide with a maximum turning circle of 1200mm. Each bus has space for one mobility scooter. It is the Customer’s responsibility to ensure that their mobility scooter is safely positioned within the designated area and that they adhere to any notices applicable to that area and ensure that it does not obstruct or block any exit or gangway.
  • Can I bring a dog onto the bus?
  • Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome on the bus, as long as they are on a lead and kept under control. Your dog will not be allowed on the bus if the driver believes it is dangerous, or if it is a ‘banned’ breed of dog. Only one dog is allowed per deck at any one time. You should also keep your dog off the bus seats.
    If you bring your dog onto the bus you are responsible for its behaviour, and are liable for any damage, loss or injury it causes.
    Any other small animals must be caged, boxed or kept on a lead.
  • Can I bring a pushchair/buggy on to the bus?
  • Yes, you can take a pushchair or buggy onto the bus, as long as it can be folded. All of our buses are low-floor, easy access vehicles, which makes it easy for you to get onto the bus. You can put the buggy unfolded into the wheelchair space if it is not already occupied. If a wheelchair user wishes to board the bus, the driver will ask you to fold your pushchair and put it into the luggage rack. Please make sure your pushchair or buggy does not block the aisle.
  • Can I take my bike on the bus?
  • Folding bicycles, which are safely and securely stowed in the designated luggage area in a suitable bag or box, are generally permitted onto our buses if the driver believes that there is sufficient luggage space available. Fixed-frame bicycles are not carried on our buses.
  • Can i bring my E-Scooter onto the bus
  • E-Scooters are not permitted on our buses.
  • How do I collect lost property?
  • Any items that are handed in, or that are found by our staff are held by the driver until the end of the day when it is then handed in to the depot.
    If you realise soon after leaving the bus that you’ve left something behind we may be able to contact our driver through our ticket machine messaging system to check if the item is still on board. If found it may be possible to collect the item off the bus later in the day. If it is not collected from the bus it can be collected from the following address:

    Faresaver Buses, The Coach Yard, Bumpers Farm Ind Est, Chippenham, SN14 6NQ

    You will be asked for some form of ID when collecting any lost property from the bus or depot.
    Anything perishable, such as food, is disposed of straight away. We keep lost property for four weeks. After this time it’s disposed of, or items with any value are given to charity.
    If you find someone else’s lost property on the bus, please hand it in to the driver.
  • Do you accept contactless payments?
  • Yes, you can pay using contactless up to the value of £100 on all of our services. We accept all major debit/credit cards, ApplePay and Googlepay. We do not accept AMEX. We also offer mobile ticketing where certain tickets can be bought and used on your mobile phone. Please see the 'Do you offer mobile ticketing' page for more information.

    With contactless transactions a 10p fare will be taken from your account at the time of boarding. The balance payment will then be deducted overnight.
  • Why was my card declined but my bank statement shows the money has been taken?
  • In most cases there is a straightforward explanation for this. The way mobile contactless payments are made, is as follows: -
    1) You present your card.
    2) The system checks the validity of the card but does not take the payment at this point.
    3) If the card is valid, a ticket is issued.
    4) Payment is processed overnight.
    5) If the payment fails, the system puts a bar on the card.
    6) The system is not able to automatically represent the card for payment, it can only do this if you re-tap your card on our ticket machine.
    7) The debt and the bar remain in place until the next time you present your card.
    So, when you represent your card at a future point, the system remembers the debt (and bar) and declines payment. However, because you have represented your card, it is now able to try and collect the outstanding debt. If it is successful, the money will be debited from your account (and this will be what you are seeing). The debt and bar will clear overnight for future use. If it is not successful, the debt and bar will remain in place.
  • How do you make passengers aware of delays?
  • If there are upcoming road works or road closures which we feel may impact on timings we will notify passengers on the 'Service disruption' section of our website. For day to day events we will publish details of any significant delays to our Facebook - Faresaver Buses, and Twitter @FaresaverBuses feeds so please follow us to keep up to date.
    Buses can be tracked using the myTrip app.
  • Am I able to check when my bus is due to arrive?
  • Some of our services which go into Bath are linked to Real Time Information systems (RTI). This means that certain bus stops will have displays which show you how far away the bus is.
    Buses can also be tracked live through the MyTrip App. If you download the App and select Faresaver from the operator list you will be able to view where buses are in real time and purchase certain tickets too. More information can be found on the mobile ticketing section below.
  • Do you offer Mobile ticketing?
  • We have teamed up with Passenger for our ongoing mobile ticketing requirements where passengers will be able to purchase tickets through the MyTrip App. If you go to the App Store/Google Play, links to which can be found on our homepage, you will be able to download the free MyTrip app. From there select Faresaver and you will be able to access our page.

    There is the option to 'gift' tickets. You no longer have to purchase the ticket on the phone being used, you can set up the payment facility on one phone and then 'gift' the ticket to another user, useful if you have children who use mobile ticketing. Tickets can also be sent remotely so long as both devices have mobile data.

    When using the ticket it must be displayed, with the QR code showing and placed facing upwards on the smartcard scanner so the QR reader can read the ticket information. As always screenshots will not be accepted for travel as the QR codes refresh frequently. Mobile data is not required when boarding the bus so long as the ticket has been activated whilst mobile data available, for example before leaving home or with access to mobile data e.g 4G.

    Also included in the App is a live tracking map so you are able to see where your bus is in real time.
  • Do I have to signal to the bus for it to stop?
  • Yes, as the bus is coming you should put your hand out to signal clearly to the bus driver that you want that bus to stop. At some bus stops there are several different bus services that go past, so if you do not signal the driver may assume you are waiting for another bus.
  • Am I eligible to pay child fares?
  • We offer child fares to any passengers under the age of 18 and also to anyone in further education regardless of their age. If you’re nearing the age of 18, or look like you could be, you’ll need to carry some sort of photo ID or student ID to prove you don’t have to pay the full adult fare. If you are in further education then you will need to carry some form of student identification such as a University ID card or NUS card.
  • Can I eat, drink or smoke on the bus?
  • No, to keep our buses as clean as possible we do not allow eating or drinking onboard, therefore bringing things like coffee etc onto the bus is not permitted. It is illegal to smoke on public transport and for the comfort of other passengers we also request that e-cigarettes are not used whilst travelling on the bus.
  • Can I claim for damage to property whilst on bus?
  • You remain responsible at all times for the safe carriage, stability and handling
    of any items you bring on board. Fragile items such as electronic goods, portable
    televisions, computers, radios etc will only be carried if they are of reasonable
    size and securely packed. Luggage is carried at your risk and we accept no
    liability for any loss or damage to you or any third party, however caused.
  • Do I need to carry the exact fare?
  • No, we don’t need you to have the exact money for your fare. However, if you know what the fare is it would be helpful if you have the correct change, as this reduces the time the bus has to wait at your stop, and means the bus can keep to time better. Please try and avoid using £10/£20 notes for small value fares as although our drivers do carry a float, it does makes their life easier.
  • Can the driver refuse me travel?
  • The driver can refuse travel for a number of reasons. This may include, but is not limited to any of the following reasons:

    Behave in a manner which may reasonably be expected to cause any
    person to be alarmed, upset, offended or annoyed, or which may reasonably
    be expected to cause a nuisance or inconvenience to any Customer, driver or
    company official (including, without limitation, the use of obscene or offensive
    language or behaving in a manner that is abusive or threatening).

    Speak to the driver whilst the bus is in motion, stand forward of the cab area,
    obstruct the driver’s vision or otherwise cause the driver to be distracted while
    driving, except in an emergency or for reasons of safety

    Obstruct any emergency or other exits,

    Stand on the upper deck or any step leading to the upper deck of any
    doubledeck vehicle while it is in motion (except for the purposes of getting on or
    off the vehicle);

    Use any door for a purpose other than as indicated by a notice, unless
    directed to by the driver or a Company official;

    Throw or trail any article from the vehicle;

    Smoke at any time in any part of the vehicle or carry any lit pipe, cigar,
    cigarette (including ‘electronic cigarettes’), match or lighter on the vehicle;

    Play or operate any musical equipment or instruments (including radios,
    mobile phones, MP3 devices etc) on vehicles at a volume that is likely to cause
    annoyance to other Customers

    Wear soiled clothing which might stain or damage the vehicle fittings or other
    Customers’ clothing;

    Deliberately interfere with any equipment fitted to the vehicle;

    Carry any bulky or cumbersome article, or any article or substance which is
    likely to cause annoyance or risk of injury to any person on the vehicle, or risk
    of damage to the vehicle or to the property or clothing of any person on the
    vehicle.