No.11 bus route gets hi-tech tracking
Jul 24 2007 By Steve Pain, Technology Editor
West Midland passengers travelling on what is claimed to be Europe's longest bus route will no longer need to ponder over when their next bus will arrive following the completion of a £2.5 million IT project.
Public transport developer CentroWMPTA and bus operator Travel West Midlands have been working together to provide 'Real Time Information' on the 43km Outer Circle bus route (service 11).
The satellite and digital technology works by tracking up to 40 Travel West Midlands number 11 buses every 30 seconds, pinpointing their exact location on the route.
This is then relayed to electronic displays in more than 150 bus shelters, telling waiting passengers exactly how many minutes until the next three buses will arrive.
Meanwhile, at nine key interchanges across the region such as shopping centres, there are also large, centrally located free-standing displays which show the arrival times of the next nine buses.
Passengers can also get the information sent directly to their mobile phone, PDA or BlackBerry by text message or WAP technology.
Coun Gary Clarke, chairman of Centro-WMPTA, said: "I am delighted that this project to provide Real Time Information on this key bus route is complete.
"The Outer Circle is a lifeline for many people - connecting local shopping centres, healthcare, leisure and education facilities with residential areas along its 43km route.
"Thanks to this new technology passengers will know exactly when their bus will arrive, which will not only make passengers feel more confident in using the bus but has also been proven to make them feel safer."
Neil Barker, acting chief executive of Travel West Midlands, added: "We are very keen to see this partnership work for our customers and the people of Birmingham.
"This is a major scheme that can help support the position of reliable and punctual bus services. We are keen to make travel simpler for all our customers and this partnership project fits well into this strategy."
Real Time Information forms a key part of the wider £25 million Outer Circle Bus Showcase project, which has seen brand new low floor buses from Travel West Midlands and enhancements to the routes 320 stops and shelters by Centro-WMPTA.
Interchanges with other bus services and rail and Metro have also been improved, CCTV has been put in and highways works, including bus priority measures and new pedestrian crossing facilities, also form part of the project.
The Department for Transport estimates that the Outer Circle Bus Showcase scheme is likely to attract up to 2,000 trips per day which were previously made by car.
