Australasian bus operator Kinetic has announced it is trialling new information technology on its Melbourne network in a bid to increase passenger confidence and encourage more people to use public transport.
Kinetic says Melbourne commuters will enjoy real-time journey data and more accessible travel information across the metropolitan bus network during its trial.
The trial, developed as part of Kinetic’s Accessibility Action Plan, will see visual and audio information displays installed across 24 buses initially that operate in Melbourne’s south-east.
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The technology will provide all passengers with up-to-date information on stops and arrival times, allowing people to plan their travel and reduce uncertainty.
Visual and audio announcements, including disruption alerts, will make travel information more accessible to passengers of all abilities, including people who are vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing.
The plan was developed in consultation with Kinetic’s Accessibility Reference Group, with Kinetic customer experience manager Justin Rogers saying equal access to travel information helps passengers plan their journeys with greater confidence.
“Passengers consistently tell us that better, more reliable information is essential to improving their experience,” Rogers says.
“We’re always looking for ways to enhance that experience, and this technology plays a key role in delivering clearer, more inclusive journey information, shaped by the feedback we get from our customers and our Accessibility Reference Group.”
The trial will also provide Kinetic’s state-of-the-art Operations Control Centre with additional performance and vehicle tracking data to improve network reliability and punctuality, while also providing best-in-class battery and charge monitoring for battery electric vehicles.
General manager at Kinetic Melbourne Tom Kinsey says the technology provides improved network insights, including passenger numbers, disruption information and traffic conditions.
“With this information we can make tailored adjustments to the network based on the conditions of the day, managing services efficiently through heavy traffic and periods of disruption, while keeping our passengers safe by monitoring capacity on-board,” Kinsey says.
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