City of Edinburgh Council has unveiled a new digital management platform to support operations at the city’s central bus station.
It has been developed with travel system specialist Journeo as the main contractor and is claimed to be one of the most advanced bus systems of its type in the UK.
At the centre of the platform is a content management system combing live business location data with data on schedules to provide real time passenger information, which is distributed to displays inside and outside the station and to Traveline Scotland, neighbouring local authorities, bus operators and local business parks.
It also includes a bus reversing facility to help manage departures from the station safely and effectively, and automation number plate recognition cameras to log the arrival and departure of buses.
Other upgrades at the station include larger displays for people with visual impairments that connect through Bluetooth and the RNIB React app to read out departures, and multiple languages on some screens. Interactive wayfinding signage has also been installed to help travellers play their journeys.
Passenger info upgrades
The contract with Journeo also includes work, to begin this year, on upgrading real time passenger information signs at 400 bus stops around Edinburgh.
Cllr Lesley Macinnes (pictured), Edinburgh’s transport and environment convener, said: “There is no doubt the new management system at Edinburgh Bus Station will transform the experience for anyone travelling through it. Not only is journey information much clearer and more accessible, but upgrades will really help people making onward trips around Edinburgh.
“It’s really fascinating to see the difference the improvements are making behind the scenes, managing the bus station more effectively, support safer departures and monitoring performance. By delivering a truly integrated, efficient service, these changes make travel by bus an attractive choice, which is central to our net zero target.”
