Real-time passenger information

Summary

Real Time Passenger Information systems allow passengers to access real i.e. live departure information for public transport services via a variety of different sources. Such systems have been shown to be of value to public transport passengers, to operators and to public transport regulating agencies. The primary benefit to passengers is that they reduce the psychological anxiety associated with waiting for public transport as well as uncertainty and frustration. For the operators, RTPI technology has helped in the fleet management and improvement of bus performance and schedule adherence and hence contributes to improving the image of public transport. Whether RTPI alone can increase patronage of public transport is open to debate; while some evidence suggest it can, on balance experience suggests that any ridership increase is usually achieved by a combination of measures to promote public transport services. Hence RTPI is implemented as part of a package improving the quality of public transport.  Implementation costs may be high due to the associated computer technology and strong project management will be required. Nevertheless with advances in technology, such costs are likely to fall rapidly.