Categories: Technology

Dublin Bus begins roll-out of real-time passenger information system

Dublin City Council, in conjunction with Dublin Bus, have begun the roll out of a real-time passenger information service in Ireland’s capital yesterday, with electronic information signs becoming operational at ten Dublin-north bus stops. It is expected that two-hundred and fifty signs will become operational by the end of the summer, and four-hundred and fifty by the end of the year.

Dublin Bus real-time passenger information display

The information signs erected at select Dublin Bus stops update passengers every thirty seconds on the expected arrival times of forthcoming buses. The system works by gathering location data from 1,000 Dublin buses, to which Dublin Bus received a €10 million grant in 2006 under the Government’s Transport 21 investment programme, and calculates expected arrival times at bus stops by recording the amount of time each vehicle takes to pass between stops along a certified route. This information can then be relayed back to the information signs, keeping would-be passenger informed.

The project, which is being funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to the tune of €6.5 million, will also be rolled out in Galway, Limerick, and Waterford by the end of the year.

Gerry Murphy, chief executive of NTA, says that the scheme has the potential to boast revenue for Dublin Bus by engaging the casual commuter who may opt to take the bus if one is due soon.

“Immediately at the bus stop, there are a number of bus routes and people can make the choice of which one they are going to take.

“It captures the casual person, they may stay on and take the bus. People like the assurance of the timing.”

Mobile phone apps and web and text-based services are also expected to launch by the end of the year to compliment the information signs. This is a well needed addition to Dublin’s transport system, but unfortunately won’t prevent the usual bus delays as a result of traffic congestion.

Image courtesy of Transport for Ireland.

Albizu Garcia

Albizu Garcia is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gain -- a marketing technology company that automates the social media and content publishing workflow for agencies and social media managers, their clients and anyone working in teams.

View Comments

Recent Posts

AI and the Dopamine Trap: How Algorithms Are Rewiring Our Social Cravings

New research shows AI companions can lift mood and teach social skills, but only when…

2 days ago

Hate speech, deepfakes & false info undermine UN work: comms chief

Hate speech is a launching point for crackdowns on narratives that impede UN agendas: perspective…

2 days ago

Making Sense brings strategic insight to the SIM Hartford Chapter

On June 4, technology executives gathered at the SIM Hartford chapter presided over by Fariba…

4 days ago

‘Digital disinformation undermines trust in climate & health authorities’: WHO Pan European Commission on Climate & Health

The PECCH is an attempt to persuade us into believing that climate & health policies…

6 days ago

WEF ‘Summer Davos’ in China to tackle transhumanism, AI & One Health agendas

The program agenda for the World Economic Forum's (WEF) 16th Annual Meeting of the New…

1 week ago

10 design and architecture writers to put on your radar this year

It’s easy to get caught up in the visuals—perfectly styled rooms, dramatic before-and-afters, bold architectural…

2 weeks ago