Bus signs set for an upgrade (From Thurrock Gazette)

Bus signs set for an upgrade

7:40am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News

PASSENGERS waiting at bus-stops in the borough will soon be able to see how long it is before their bus arrives.

Thurrock Council has ditched its dated passenger information system at bus stops and is set to install a new real-time update service.

This will see vehicles fitted with tracking devices, relaying their location and showing an accurate expected time of arrival on screens at bus-stops.

The current 10-year-old system, which costs Thurrock Council nearly £100,000 a year to run, was installed in conjunction with Essex County Council and Southend Council.

Over the next ten years, it is thought the council will only have to contribute £50,000 a year for the installation and maintenance of equipment, which will again see the council team up with Essex and Southend.

The old system, which only told passengers when buses should arrive, not when they actually would, was switched off on December 22. Information is no longer displayed on screens at stops.

Cllr Andy Smith, portfolio holder for regeneration, transport and highways, said: “The new system will have the ability and capacity to track all buses in Thurrock, Essex and Southend by capturing live information via modern ticketing machines with GPS and satellite navigational capabilities.

“The data can be used in a wide variety of ways that would be useful to bus operators, local councils and the public.

“This more accurate information could also be provided to be seen on mobile phones and on other items of equipment that can access the internet. It could incorporate more operators, more on-street displays and more buses as well.

“At the moment we’re paying around £100,000 a year for the current outdated system, the new one will save us £50,000 a year. It’s twice the service at half the price!”