Latest digital technology utilised to make millions of bus passengers' journeys easier
14 Apr 2014 02:54 PM
Transport for London (TfL) today announced a
range of customer information improvements for bus passengers aimed at helping
Londoners and visitors to the city get around the capital's extensive bus
network more easily
The
improvements - which are being made on board buses, at bus stops, bus stations
and on-street - have been developed during the Year of the Bus, a series of
events and activities to mark the vital contribution London's bus network
makes to the life and economy of the city and the UK as a
whole.
Large digital screens providing 'Countdown'
real-time bus arrival information are being installed at three busy bus
stations - Vauxhall, Hammersmith and Harrow.
If
successful the screens could be installed at every one of London's 50 bus
stations.
Other improvements include the installation of
state-of-the-art interactive digital screens on Regent Street (delivered in
partnership with Clear Channel) and on Eden Street in Kingston (delivered in
partnership with JCDecaux) which provide live bus arrival information alongside
real-time updates on other public transport options.
The
screens also include local area information including maps, local news and
details about local events.
In
addition, the London Borough of Ealing has worked with TfL to bring bus arrival
and Tube status information to customers on a borough funded information screen
outside Ealing Broadway Tube station.
TfL
has also introduced digital clocks on board every bus in the 8,700-strong
fleet, displayed on the 'iBus' screen on both the upper and lower
deck.
iBus is fitted on all buses in the fleet and includes
'next stop' audio visual announcements which let passengers know where
they are even if they're on an unfamiliar route.
TfL
is also trialling location announcements on two night bus routes - the N9 and
N15 - to help passengers identify where they are, for example "you are now
entering Knightsbridge".
These announcements will be extended to all night bus
services in the capital by the end of the summer.
Simon Reed, TfL's Head of Technical Services Group,
said: `Buses are a vital daily service for millions, with London's network
one of the largest and most accessible in the world.
`As
we celebrate the Year of the Bus, we are using the latest digital technology to
make travelling by bus as simple as possible for
everyone.
`Our customers rightly regard real-time travel
information as part of the core service we provide, and by providing free, open
data we are enabling live bus arrival information to be displayed on any
community group or commercial partners' screens as well as our
own.'
These latest customer information improvements
complement the range of features - most notably 'iBus' and
'Countdown' - that have been introduced by TfL over the last decade to
help all passengers navigate London's comprehensive bus network with
ease.
TfL
also provides a Countdown Digital Sign service enabling tailored live bus
information to be delivered cheaply and effectively to a range of public
locations, such as hospital waiting rooms, schools or shopping centre
foyers.
Businesses or organisations interested in learning more about the service
should email Digisign.countdown@tfl.gov.uk
- Images of the digital information screens installed at
bus stops, at bus stations and on-street are available from TfL's press
office on request
- More information about the Year of the Bus can be found
atwww.tfl.gov.uk/yearofthebus
- iBus is fitted on all buses in the fleet and includes
'next stop' audio visual announcements which let passengers know where
they are even if they're on an unfamiliar route. This is of particular
benefit to passengers with visual or aural impairments and those with learning
difficulties, as well as visitors to London or Londoners travelling on
unfamiliar routes.
- TfL's 'Countdown' real-time bus information
service was launched in October 2011. Thirteen per cent of all 6.7m bus
journeys in the capital are now informed by Countdown.