More than 300 bus-stop information screens across Portsmouth are to be upgraded.
Funded through Portsmouth City Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, the new screens will be installed by Vix Technology this summer.
Two different types of screens will be installed in the city – those at bus shelters and pole-mounted screens at bus stops without shelters.
A total of 307 screens will display an estimated time of arrival of bus services calling at each stop, with a countdown for when the bus will arrive.
Each screen uses GPS data from detectors installed in every bus to calculate how far away the bus is from the stop and how long the bus will take to arrive.
The newly installed screens will also display other information in real time, such as weather reports and news updates.
This will mean up to 95% of bus stops in Portsmouth will have such information.
All new screens also feature a push button on the bus stop, which can be pressed for passengers to hear the information displayed on the screens, making them more accessible to those with visual impairments.
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Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for transport, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, said:”We often hear requests for clearer information at bus stops, and I’m excited to share that we’re installing screens throughout the city to provide passengers with the details they need for a hassle-free journey.
“Our aim is to make bus travel accessible and straightforward for everyone.”
The screens are being installed in direct response to bus users’ requests for more real-time information at bus stops in the city.
In response, Portsmouth City Council conducted a public survey about bus stops in the city, asking for feedback from bus users.
The consultation closed on March 17 and the council will next develop more plans to further improve bus stops later in the year.
Achievements and innovations in traveller information systems will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
