Croydon Council has revealed plans to replace and upgrade the borough’s bus shelters with digital screens, real time journey information and public Wi-Fi hotspots.
It has begun a 10-year contract with Valo Smart City UK LTD for the provision of smart bus shelters.
They will be integrated with air quality, noise, footfall, and traffic flow sensors, and the digital panels will display emergency messages and travel information relevant to each specific location.
They will also include digital advertising that the council said will bring in more than £6.75 million in revenue.
Mobilisation works are already underway, and the roll out of the new shelters will start in March 2022 subject to planning approval.
Croydon said it will be the first borough in the country to benefit from a private public partnership with Valo, under which the firm will install the shelters for no extra charge as part of the contract.
Sustainability factor
Councillor Muhammad Ali, cabinet member for sustainable Croydon, said “I am very excited about the arrival of these smart bus shelters which will make residents’ travel experiences more enjoyable, informative and safer. The smart city sensors will also act as a great tool in our continued mission to become a greener, more sustainable borough.
“Our partnership with innovators Valo will be our latest step towards Croydon becoming not only a digital council but the first truly connected smart borough which uses technology to enhance and transform the lives of our residents for the better.”
The smart shelters will also feature cameras, LED edge lighting and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.
Image from Croydon Council
