Satellite and digital technology will mean that approximately 200 shelters on the 43km route will have accurate Real Time Information (RTI), which will tell passengers exactly when the next bus is due. In addition to this, there will be on-street information displays, with travellers also being able to obtain bus time information via text message to their mobile phones and on the Internet.

West Midlands public transport promoter, Centro is investing £6m into the Project and is also responsible for implementing the RTI equipment.

Bus company Travel West Midlands will install satellite-tracking devices on all Outer Circle buses to ensure that timetable information is kept completely accurate, and to put an end to the notorious bunching of buses on the route.

The Outer Circle Showcase Project has already seen brand-new low floor buses and improvements Centro has made to 230 of the route’s 271 bus shelters and stops. A further 25 shelters will be improved by March 2006 and CCTV installation at interchanges will also be completed by this date.

Cllr Len Clark, Lead member for buses on the Passenger Transport Authority, which sets policy for Centro, said: “We have already seen a substantial improvement to the Outer Circle bus route thanks to the Showcase Project. With the addition of real-time information this highly important West Midland’s bus route will become even more convenient for it’s passengers.

“I am sure everyone is looking forward to the completion of this massive project.”

Local councillors are expected to approve completion of the seven-year project, which is set for March 2007, on Monday 05 December 2005.

The £17m project is a partnership between Centro, Birmingham City Council and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.