Media Release: TAMS directorate, 5 September 2013
A trial of the NXTBUS real time passenger information system will commence next week on 20 ACTION buses, Director, Public Transport, James Roncon, announced today.
NXTBUS will track ACTION buses, and provide live information about arrival times via digital displays installed at bus stations and next stop announcements onboard buses. It will also provide real time information online, via the ACTION website, as well as over the phone via 13 17 10.
“We are entering an exciting phase in the roll-out of the NXTBUS system with 20 NXTBUS-fitted ACTION buses operating on the Red and Blue Rapid routes (200 and 300 series) for the purposes of testing the equipment,” Mr Roncon said.
“System testing to take place over the next three weeks will allow drivers and operational staff to ensure the system is running smoothly. The next phase of testing will involve a selected public trial.
“Bus passengers travelling on NXTBUS-fitted buses on the Red and Blue Rapid routes will notice that bus stops will be announced and they will be able to track the progress of their bus from the display screen installed at the front of the bus.”
Mr Roncon said that the NXTBUS display screens at the City bus station are being installed today and will be used during the testing process. Work will continue on installing the screens at other bus stations and major bus stops across Canberra over the coming months.
The displays will show the route, destination, platform number, and if the bus is equipped with a bike rack and/or is wheelchair accessible. During the testing phase a combination of both live arrival times and timetable schedules will also be displayed (‘live’ times will be shown in minutes until the bus arrives, for example ‘5 min’, while scheduled arrivals will be listed in 24 hour time, for example ’17:05′).
Work has also commenced on the installation of updated signage across Canberra’s 3100 bus stops. Signs have been installed in over 12 suburbs across Canberra to date. The signs will provide bus riders with the details of how they can access service information once NXTBUS is operational.
In the interim, riders who call or send an SMS to the number on the sign will receive timetable information.
This page was last updated on 13 August 2022
