By Nicole Katipunan

STEPS towards a real time passenger information system for ACTION buses, including digital displays at selected bus stops and up-to-date information via internet and mobile phones, will be available next year.

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Katy Gallagher, has announced that a request for tender has been advertised for the design, supply and installation of the system.

“Installation of the real time passenger information is expected to commence in mid-2012 with the system becoming fully operational by 2013,” she said.

The funding of $12.5 million for the new system was allocated in the 2010-11 ACT Budget to further improve the delivery of public transport services to the community.

The new system will follow the progress of ACTION buses on their runs and provide the passengers with instant information about their current location and estimated travel time to the next stop.

“For the first time in Canberra, people will have access to real time arrival and departure information and instant access to timetables for all ACTION bus services,” Chief Minister Gallagher said.

“It is expected that schedules will be available via digital displays installed at selected bus stops, the internet, mobile phones, touch screen displays and on bus visual displays.”