Bus passengers up and down the country are set to benefit from
easier journeys with up-to-the-minute information under plans to
be announced today (Thursday 5 July) by the Buses
Minister.
will visit Reading Buses to
launch a consultation on legally requiring bus operators to share
their data so that passengers can get real time information on
bus routes, timetables and fares at their fingertips.
It will also look at making companies provide audio and visual
information on buses, ensuring disabled people and the elderly
are able to travel confidently.
Together, the two initiatives will ensure that passengers have
the information they need, when they need it, regardless of their
location and the company running the service.
Buses Minister said:
“Nobody enjoys waiting at a bus stop for 20 minutes not knowing
when the next bus is going to turn up, only for two to then pull
up at the same time.
“By requiring bus operators to share their data, we can make sure
that passengers have the information they need to catch the bus
with ease, equipped with the right information about the time and
cost.
“This move will also open up opportunities for innovation within
the industry, support local services where demand is falling and
help increase bus usage across the country.”
Requiring bus companies to share their data would pave the way
for improved information across all modes of transport, meaning
quicker, easier journeys for passengers travelling on more than
one form of transport.
Reading Buses is already using open data to improve bus journeys
for people in the area. Through a number of initiatives to make
information more easily available, the company has seen a 48% per
cent increase in passenger numbers since 2009.
During her visit the minister will travel on a Reading bus which
includes accessibility features such as next stop screens, voice
announcements and two wheelchair spaces.
John Bickerton, Reading Buses’ Head of Engineering and
Innovation said:
“We are delighted that the Department for Transport is
highlighting the importance of open data for the bus industry.
Here are Reading Buses, we have long been advocates of giving
customers more information to help them on their journey – and
importantly to help them decide to travel with us in the first
place.
“We have long had a commitment to on-board audio and visual next
stop announcements and have put information literally in our
customers’ hands with the Reading Buses app, which not only shows
when tbuses are due, but can also show the buses moving in real
time on a map of the route.”
James White, senior campaigns manager at the charity
Guide Dogs said:
“Accessible information on board buses is absolutely vital to
help people with sight loss travel with confidence.
“We welcome this consultation as an important step towards a
comprehensive and much needed network of Talking Buses.”
Transport data is already widely shared within the rail industry
and across modes in the biggest cities, with apps such as
Trainline and City Mapper helping passengers make informed
choices about their method of travel.
