Real time is a real boost for Edinburgh bus users

High quality bus services are not just about new vehicles. Ian Mathie argues that it’s about enhancing the user experience as well

Planners demanded planning permission be obtained for RTPI infrastructure within Edinburgh’s historic city centre

Planners demanded planning permission be obtained for RTPI infrastructure within Edinburgh’s historic city centre

Ian Mathie

Ian Mathie

My first encounter with real time passenger information (RTPI) was during family holidays spent in Europe. Most of the major cities I visited already had electronic signs at bus and tram stops which gave an indication of when the next service would arrive. When the opportunity to project manage procurement and delivery of a RTPI system for Edinburgh arose in 2001, I jumped at the chance. The project offered similar improvements to public transport, for bus passengers and operators, to those in...