Skip to main content

TfL launches Countdown digital information signs

Following a successful trial in London, Transport for London (TfL) has launched a new Countdown digital sign service, providing a new way to deliver tailored live bus arrival information cheaply and effectively to a range of public locations, such as hospital waiting rooms, schools or shopping centre foyers. The trial demonstrated the signs worked well, delivering clear, easily accessible information about local bus services, utilising existing IT and display equipment in public locations.
June 3, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Following a successful trial in London, 1466 Transport for London (TfL) has launched a new Countdown digital sign service, providing a new way to deliver tailored live bus arrival information cheaply and effectively to a range of public locations, such as hospital waiting rooms, schools or shopping centre foyers.

The trial demonstrated the signs worked well, delivering clear, easily accessible information about local bus services, utilising existing IT and display equipment in public locations.

The technology can be self-installed using existing equipment, enabling it to be delivered at minimal cost.  Organisations are provided with a tailored web link via a dedicated URL that will give information for the bus stop or stops in the immediate vicinity. An electronic map detailing the local area is also displayed, which is especially useful for passengers unfamiliar with the location.

The introduction of the digital signs service compliments the Countdown real time bus information service which was upgraded and relaunched in October 2011.  The service provides live bus arrival information via dot matrix signs at bus stops, the web, smart phones and SMS, and informs around thirteen per cent of all bus journeys every day.

Simon Reed, head of technical services group at London Buses, said: “We hope the new digital sign service will help passengers make the most of London’s extensive bus service.  The service makes use of existing infrastructure that is already in place in many public spaces and can be delivered cheaply and quickly.  It will help our passengers’ access real time bus information away from their local stop which is especially helpful for those who may not have access to the internet or a smart phone.”

Related Content

  • March 28, 2014
    TfL and Clear Channel team on interactive London bus stop
    Transport for London (TfL) has partnered with media and advertising company Clear Channel UK to trial a real-time mapping tool at a Regent Street, London, bus stop. The new mapping tool, said to be the first of its kind to operate in a UK bus shelter, was developed and funded by Clear Channel to coincide with the Year of the Bus - a celebration of both the heritage of London buses and a look ahead to their future.
  • February 3, 2012
    Pioneering new passenger information systems
    Chicago pioneers new passenger information initiatives. By David Crawford
  • March 7, 2014
    TfL to launch world-leading trials of intelligent pedestrian crossing technology
    The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and Transport for London (TfL) have outlined plans for trialling new pedestrian crossing sensors to help make it easier and safer for people to cross the road throughout the capital. The introduction of pedestrian Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique, or pedestrian SCOOT, is the first of its kind in the world and uses state-of-the-art video camera technology to automatically detect how many pedestrians are waiting at crossings. It enables the adjustment of traffi
  • May 22, 2012
    New York pioneers online mobile real-time bus tracking
    An unusual technology collaboration. David Crawford investigates Early in January 2012, the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) rolled out the first borough-wide implementation of its pioneering Bus Time online mobile real-time tracking service. The system allow commuters to track each bus on every route in real-time on the internet, via smartphones and by text messaging to a mobile phone. The MTA chose Staten Island for its first live launch due to it being the only one of the five Ne