New monitors provide enhanced real-time transportation information to customers
TransLink has installed new monitors across the UBC Exchange to improve real-time transportation information for customers. After a complete overhaul of live customer communication technology at SkyTrain stations, the UBC Exchange is the first bus exchange in our system to receive similar technology that tells customers when their next bus arrives.
“Quality communication with customers is essential to the customer experience, and these new monitors will greatly enhance travel planning using real-time bus information,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “One of the busiest bus exchanges in our system and this technology will improve the travel of so many students, faculty and visitors.”
UBC Exchange customers will find new screens integrated with bus station pages across the exchange and a centrally located digital information board that displays live public transportation information throughout the system.
The new screens provide:
- Full-color LCD backlight with larger and clearer text than regular bus stop signs.
- Audio text to speech for the visually impaired.
- Bus station and track numbers improved and backlit.
- A variety of information on public transportation including information on the next bus, route changes and delays.
“We were very excited to hear about the installation of real-time information screens brought to the UBC Exchange,” said AMS Vice President Saad Shawib. “These new information screens, with text-to-speech technology for the visually impaired, will allow thousands of students to track, in real time, when their bus arrives and departs. It is vital that we continue to enhance UBC’s passenger experience by providing accessible and reliable transportation solutions to and from campus. This TransLink initiative is seen as a great step in making transportation more accessible and efficient. “
Improving customer communication was a top priority for TransLink. Other recent communication upgrades in our system include:
- Installation of new information displays in real time at Expo / Millennium Line docks and station entrances.
- Enhanced speakers and PA systems on trains and at Expo / Millennium Line stations.
- Install real-time bus information at all RapidBus stations.
The following bus screens were installed using the TransLink Next Bus digital screen pilot. Over the next year, TransLink will collect customer feedback and evaluate the technology before installing these monitors in other high-frequency bus homes in the future.