RBWM has provided us with an update on the progress of “Real Time” bus information on the displays at some bus stops.

Officers of the Royal Borough have provided the following useful and interesting update.

“The Council recognises the important of Real Time Information to bus users, and is working with local bus operators to improve the reliability of information provision within the Borough.

Buses operated by Courtney Buses and White Bus Services, on services within the Borough, are fitted with tracking equipment. At present buses operated by First are not equipped, and the Council is exploring options to include First services within the scheme.

Whilst buses are fitted with tracking equipment, this does not guarantee that a bus or an individual journey will be tracked. Tracking is dependent on a number of factors, including; reliability of the mobile phone communications network, reliability of the connection between the tracking unit and the bus ticket machine, correct entry of information on the ticket machine by the driver, and the correct operation of the fitted tracking unit.

Where buses do not track, the roadside information displays will show the scheduled departure time for the bus. The aim is to provide passengers with a basic level of information where real time information is unavailable.

From time to time buses not fitted with tracking equipment may operate services within the Borough, for operational reasons. Journeys operated by these buses will appear as scheduled times on the roadside displays.

Where buses are identified as regularly not tracking, maintenance is undertaken to identify and rectify the fault.”

Barry Giggins