Bus info boards at some of the city’s busiests bus stops have been out of action for weeks because of a switch to a new supplier.
While boards at smaller stops are already in place, the bigger boards needed at busier stops have not yet materialised.
Meanwhile, the existing boards have effectively stopped working, informing passengers to check the timetable instead.
Real time info is still available via the bus company website and app, or other apps such as Google Maps.
The boards are the responsibility of Brighton and Hove City Council, which says it hopes nearly all the new bigger boards will be in place by the end of July.
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said: “We’re currently upgrading around 200 bus passenger information boards across the city.
“We aim to complete the work by the end of July.
“Depending on how many services the bus stop serves, some boards will be made bigger to carry more information and we’re also looking to install larger signs in busy areas like Churchill Square.
“With all the city’s bus operators feeding in real-time information about their services, it will mean residents and visitors can better plan and enjoy their journeys.
“During the work, it may mean some of the passenger information boards are out of action for a short time.
“In most cases the boards will be upgraded or replaced on the same day however in accessing some of our busier bus stops or where installation work is more substantive, these improvements may a take a bit longer to complete.
“We apologise for any inconvenience while we make these upgrades and thank bus passengers for their patience. These new real time bus information boards will be a great improvement to our city and keep passengers connected and up to date.”
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Buses said the issue relates to a transition period between the council’s outgoing and incoming suppliers for the real-time information system.
No mention of any delays or vague “complications”, unlike the statement they sent me last month:
“Brighton & Hove City Council is responsible for the real time passenger information signs in the city. The signs and the information that is displayed on these, is delivered through a contract with an appointed third party. There are a considerable number of real time passenger information signs across the city however many of these are now between ten and twenty years old. The oldest signs are now at the end of their operational life owing to outdated technology and declining reliability over time.
“Brighton & Hove City Council has recently entered into a new contract with a real time information supplier and there is a city-wide upgrade of our real time passenger information displays. As part of this, the supplier will update newer signs and replace the oldest signs with brand new LED displays. The brand-new displays will offer more lines of departures along with other features to support passengers with their journeys.
“Sadly, there have been complications in the changeover between suppliers and delays in the roll out of the system updates and installations of new LED displays. While the majority of the city’s real time signs are working, a number of locations remain outstanding and these signs temporarily cannot receive or list public transport information.
“Multiple teams across the Council are currently working in partnership with our real time information supplier to carry out quality checks of the new signs that have been installed so far and then aim to accelerate the remaining upgrades and installations to ensure the city’s residents and visitors have the public transport information they need.
“We do appreciate that within sections of the city centre there are many signs not operational, reading “Please refer to timetable” and we apologise for this. Once the quality checks of newly installed signs have been completed, we have asked our real time information supplier to prioritise the city centre.
“Some installations of new displays are interlinked with other projects in the city and the timeline for new signs in these locations will be dependent on any road layout changes and power supply factors. One example where this is relevant is the Valley Gardens Phase 3 project which will transform the road layout in the area around Old Steine.
“We recognise disruption to public transport information can be frustrating for passengers and we apologise for any inconvenience until the remaining installations and upgrades are completed.”
Thanks for sharing this – always interesting to to see replies from council officers compared to politician spin!
Councillor Trevor Muten plays it down, whereas an officer accepts there have been supplier delays and issues. The signs in North Street and Churchill Square have not been working for about a month now (maybe more?), so why can’t a Labour councillor give an answer that accepts there’s been a problem, rather than trying to paint a different narrative.
Brighton & Hove City Council is currently upgrading the real time passenger information displays at bus stops across the city. This process will see a new real time information supplier updating software on newer displays and replacing the oldest signs (some of which are between 10 and 20 years old) with brand new LED displays. The new signs will offer more information and other features to support passengers with their journeys.
Sadly, there have been delays in the roll out of the system updates and installations of new LED displays. While the majority of the city’s real time signs are working, some of the existing bus information displays will be temporarily out of action until they have been upgraded. This currently includes some displays in the city centre which may have a blank screen or state “Please refer to timetable”.
Multiple teams across the Council are currently working in partnership with our real time information supplier to carry out quality checks of the new signs that have been installed so far and then aim to accelerate the remaining upgrades and installations to ensure the city’s residents and visitors have the public transport information they need.
While there may be locations requiring further work or a more complex installation process, we aim to have the bulk of signs active in Summer 2025.
Some installations of new displays are interlinked with other projects in the city and the timeline for new signs in these locations will be dependent on any road layout changes and power supply factors. One example where this is particularly relevant is the Valley Gardens Phase 3 project which will transform the road layout in the area around Old Steine.
As per your email request, once we have finalised the schedule for the remaining installations and upgrades with our real time information supplier, we will provide an update with further information on the Brighton & Hove City Council website.
We apologise for any inconvenience while we make these upgrades and thank bus passengers for their patience.
Kind Regards,
Transport Projects, City Infrastructure,
Brighton & Hove City Council, Room G14, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road BN3 3BQ
Team Email: transport.project
”real time information supplier” – is this a joke?
Due used to mean it was coming. Now – you’re lucky if you see it.
And who carries a timetable when this kaka isn’t working?
You’ve obviously never heard of using the phone app that actually shows you where the bus is… If that’s to much hassle, look at the timetable on the bus shop
Why haven’t you replaced the bus stops both sides between Waitrose and Churchill Sq as it’s al long way for disabled and elderly especially as there are no seats that also goes for George Street in Hove.
😱
Even a technical luddite such as myself can use the app however I question the wisdom of upgrading at one of the busiest times of the year!
It’s months not weeks these things haven’t been working I got exactly the same response from the council that tosser who said use the bus app not everyone has a smart phone or is a techno nurd
If Muten is overseeing the project, you know it’s going to be a disaster
“end of July” Trevor Muten.
But which year Trevor ?
2029 when Labour will be kicked out unceremoniously and let Farge & the incapable in ?
Or 2025/ 2026 when Labour loses the next bye election in Brighton & Hove ?
Or May 2026 when Bassum is rejected as Labour’s mayoral candidate for Sussex Mayor.
Or is “end of July” the usual lose language that is never achievable and contractually unenforceable.
The usual “flying pigs” Trevor……
Nice to know there’s a smartypants with all the answers.
I thought that an upgrade would work better than the previous one.
You carry on looking at the timetable at the bus stop – good luck with that.
Timetables are not always accurate better to have the electronic boards you can then see exactly when your bus is due otherwise you are rather left in the dark as it were and wondering when the bus will arrive lets hope the council fix it soon