As part of the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), Portsmouth City Council is undertaking a significant upgrade to the city’s bus stops. This project will provide real time bus arrival information and improve the clarity and accessibility of bus stop signage, helping passengers navigate the city’s bus network with greater ease.
What’s currently at our bus stops?
At present, many of Portsmouth’s bus stops display static timetables and some provide limited live journey information. There are currently real time information screens at 12 interchange locations, 120 units in bus shelters, and 20 pole-mounted units at bus stops without shelters in Portsmouth. However, as part of our bus service improvement plan survey, passengers have told us that they want clearer, more up-to-date details about when buses will arrive and how busy they are, as well as better signage to help them easily identify the buses serving each stop.
What are we changing and improving?
To address these needs, we are installing 287 new live information screens across Portsmouth’s bus stops. These screens will display:
- Arrival information in real time, including a countdown showing when the next bus will arrive.
- Bus capacity information, allowing passengers to know how busy a bus is before boarding.
- Additional live updates, including weather information and relevant news updates.
All new screens will be equipped with a push-button feature that enables passengers with visual impairments to hear the information displayed, making bus travel more inclusive and accessible to all.
In addition to the screens, we are introducing a fresh new look at all bus stops. This initiative is part of the partnership between Portsmouth City Council and local bus operators and aims to enhance the overall clarity and accessibility of the city’s public transport network.
We are installing two different types of information screens across the city to cater to different bus stop setups:
- Pole-mounted information screens: These will be installed at bus stops without shelters. These screens are battery powered and display real time arrival information and are equipped with a push-button feature that activates screen reader technology. When pressed, the unit announces bus arrival times, making it accessible for passengers with visual impairments.
- Bus-shelter information screens: These units will be placed inside bus shelters. These units display real time arrival information and are equipped with a push-button feature that activates screen reader technology. When pressed, the unit announces bus arrival times, making it accessible for passengers with visual impairments.
We will also install new QR codes at 572 bus stops across Portsmouth which once scanned will share live bus timetable and other essential bus passenger information directly to smartphones.
Why are we making these improvements?
This project is driven by feedback from local bus users, who highlighted the need for better, more accessible real time information and clearer signage at bus stops. These improvements will:
- Enhance passenger experience by providing clear, up-to-date information on bus arrivals and capacity.
- Improve accessibility for all passengers, including those with visual impairments, through audio options and more intuitive signage.
- Support the local bus network by helping passengers plan their journeys more effectively, leading to a smoother, more efficient transport system across the city.
Timeline of works
The installation of the new information screens is scheduled to take place over the next few months, with the works broken down as follows:
- Winter 2024: Preparatory works begin, including site assessments and finalising screen placements at bus stops across Portsmouth. Installation begins of new pole mounted real time bus stops.
- Spring 2025: Installation of new information screens completed.
- Summer 2025: Final checks of screen installations.
Throughout the installation, there will be minimal disruption to bus services. We’ll continue to keep passengers informed through updates on our website and social media channels.
