Passengers are to be given better information at a further twenty rail stations across the West Midlands.
Councillors on the regional transport body Centro-PTA approved funding for new ‘live’ departure displays and platform announcements. It means more than three-quarters of all local stations in the Network West Midlands area will be fitted with the latest equipment.
(see analysis for list of stations)
The system tracks the movement of trains so that people waiting on the platform can get up-to-date information about whether their service is on time or delayed. It is currently being rolled out to 28 stations on the Cross City, Coventry-Wolverhampton, Stourbridge, Walsall and Solihull lines. The new funding of £1.5m agreed by Centro-PTA councillors will add a further 20 stations, used by more than 100,000 passengers a week, to the system. Installation of the equipment will occur next year.
“These display screens and announcements give passengers extra confidence in the arrival times of services so that their journey is more pleasant and public transport becomes an even more attractive option,” says Cllr Keith Chambers, Centro-PTA lead member for rail.
Surveys have shown that the information systems can also add to feelings of personal safety because passengers know how long they have to wait before the next train.
Centro-PTA is applying to the Department for Transport for further funding which, if granted would allow virtually all of the region’s 63 stations can be fitted with the latest passenger information. All platforms will have live departure displays, plus automated announcements. Further summary screens are being installed in some waiting rooms and ticket offices.
