West Sussex County Council has announced the installation of more than 400 real-time passenger information (RTPI) digital displays in a £3.3m countywide programme.
Funded by the UK Department for Transport’s (DfT) Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), the programme has also enabled traffic-light upgrades at 24 junctions to give buses priority as part of an additional £1.4m scheme.
Installation of the RTPI displays started in January and is progressing at a rate of around 16 displays per week. The traffic-light junction upgrades started in November 2023 with 10 completed to date.
The ‘real-time’ displays show the bus service number, its destination and departure time.
All UK DfT-funded displays feature a special audio push-button facility to make bus travel easier for passengers with visual impairments, learning or reading difficulties.
READ MORE: New proposals for getting young people into transport announced by UK DfT
UK roads minister Guy Opperman said: “Local people deserve a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system.
“I’m delighted to have worked alongside West Sussex County Council and local MPs to give the council more than £19m to boost its bus services.
“Installing new digital displays at bus stops will make it easier to plan journeys while improving traffic lights will make buses more punctual and reliable, helping residents get around by bus more easily and with greater peace of mind.”
The junctions now have more dynamic control systems that respond to traffic movements in real time, giving priority to buses while minimising delays for other road users.
They are concentrated on the Coastliner 700 bus route, which is reportedly one of the busiest in the country, and are in Southwick, Shoreham, Lancing, Worthing and Bognor Regis.
There will also be upgrades in Crawley as part of the programme.
West Sussex’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Joy Dennis said: “Developing a modern infrastructure is a key part of our council plan and by providing improvements for bus travel we are supporting sustainable travel options, which are an important aspect of the West Sussex Transport Plan 2022 – 2036.
“I’m particularly pleased to see the countywide spread of the new RTPI displays.
“Their locations include bus stops near vital community facilities, such as hospitals and doctors’ surgeries, and in rural areas where bus services are a lifeline and so important in helping to reduce feelings of isolation.
“If you live in a town, there could be a bus service running every 20 minutes or so, but if you’re in a rural area and the service is hourly, you really want to know it’s on its way, or if it has been delayed.
“These displays will help residents feel confident that using the bus will get them where they want to be, on time.”
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.
