Source: City of Portsmouth
Installation has begun on 287 new information screens set to improve journeys for bus passengers across the city.
Portsmouth City Council is enhancing travel across the city by installing 287 new information screens at bus stops, as part of the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). This upgrade will ensure that over 90% of bus stops in Portsmouth are equipped with real time information about bus arrivals and passenger capacity, making journeys smoother and more informed for passengers.
The fresh new look signs make it easier to see the bus services operating to and from the bus stop. The new information screens will also feature a push-button option, allowing passengers with visual impairments to hear the information displayed, making bus travel more inclusive and user-friendly.
The installation of the new screens is a direct response to feedback from bus users, who identified the need for more real time information and clearer signage at bus stops. This demand was highlighted as one of the key priorities in the BSIP public consultation.
Councillor Peter Candlish, Portsmouth’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“We’ve heard loud and clear from bus passengers that they want more accurate, accessible information at bus stops, and we’re thrilled to begin installing these new screens throughout the city. These updates will make it easier for passengers to navigate the bus network and plan their journeys with confidence. Our aim is to make public transport in Portsmouth as accessible and convenient as possible for everyone.”
Transport systems experts, Vix Technology, will carry out the installation of the new screens. Two different types of screens will be installed: one set at bus shelters and another set on poles at stops without shelters.
The screens will display the estimated arrival times of buses, with a countdown to show when the bus will arrive. The real time data is provided via GPS technology, which tracks the buses’ locations to calculate how soon they’ll reach each stop. The bus shelter mounted screens will also be able to display additional live information, including weather updates and news.
Daniel Jacklin, Business Development Manager at Vix Technology, said:
“We’re excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Portsmouth City Council to expand real time information across the city. The installation of over 287 new screens, marks a significant milestone. We’re looking forward to helping passengers navigate the city more easily and travel with greater confidence.”
This installation is the latest in a series of improvements to the city’s bus stop infrastructure, designed to make travel information easier to access and the overall bus experience more seamless. Improving the bus service is a key part of the Council’s overall plan to make travel in the city better for everyone.
For more information about bus stop improvements in the city, visit: travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/bsip-schemes/rti-screens/)
More information about the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan
The Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) is Portsmouth’s visionary delivery scheme aligned with the government’s National Bus Strategy and aims to dramatically improve bus services in Portsmouth and to encourage passengers back to the bus.
This programme is managed by an enhanced partnership between local bus companies Stagecoach South, First Solent and Portsmouth City Council. With a £48 million grant from the Department for Transport (DfT) the Portsmouth BSIP aims to increase bus usage in Portsmouth by engaging with the local community and transforming the bus network in the city so that it is faster, more reliable, and more affordable.
The Portsmouth BSIP has already funded early morning travel, and later night services, tap on tap off technology, fare free weekends to encourage residents to try the bus, Christmas Day bus services and much more, with even more exciting developments planned for 2024/2025.
According to the latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures, Portsmouth has seen a 20% rise in bus passengers over the past year and is recognised as the top city for bringing people back to bus travel, with over 12 million bus journeys taken.
More information can be found on our website: https://travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/bsip/