Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Accepted
Roll-out of real-time bus information faces challenges despite open data compliance.
Recommendation
Technology could vastly improve bus passengers’ experience on England’s buses. For example, providing live updates on when a bus will next be stopping would reduce uncertainty and help passengers plan their journeys.65 We asked the Department what it is doing to 58 Qq 9-10, 12, 73 59 Transformative Transport Service Design Initiative (LBS0010) 60 Later Life Ambitions (LBS0022) 61 Qq 71-73, 75 62 Qq 70, 72, 75 63 Q 76 64 Q 70; Bus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL] 65 Better Buses East Midlands (LBS0020) 16 facilitate the roll-out of real-time information for all bus passengers. The Department told us its bus open data system should already provide real-time information for every bus in the country, that it is working on compliance which is currently at 85%, and that it has work to do to ensure this is used by app providers.66 However, the Transport Select Committee reported that only 16% of respondents to a recent survey had live updates on bus arrivals displayed at their nearest stop.67 The Department said it is investing in low-cost innovative solutions, such as using QR codes at bus stops to provide links to real-time information quickly through mobile phones. These have been used in Portsmouth and Norfolk rather than installing screens at each stop.68
Government Response Summary
The department will write to the committee within six months explaining how it is helping all local transport authorities implement improvements for bus passengers through better use of technology, and is committed to supporting local transport authorities in implementing technological improvements for bus passengers.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
7. PAC conclusion: Bus passenger experience is variable across the country in part due to patchy implementation of technology. 7. PAC recommendation: The department should, within six months, write to the committee explaining how it is helping all local transport authorities implement improvements for bus passengers through better use of technology. 7.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: April 2026 7.2 The department is committed to supporting local transport authorities in implementing technological improvements for bus passengers. In addition to funding improvements through Bus Service Improvement Plans, the department is supporting the implementation of a national, smart ticketing solution developed in partnership with Transport for West Midlands, major bus operators, and Midlands Connect. This initiative will enable contactless pay-as-you- go travel on bus and tram services, with fares automatically capped according to the rules set by local authorities. At the core of the solution is a broker system that will process trip data from participating operators, providing a solution that every authority in England (outside London) can use. 7.3 The department is also helping local transport authorities make better use of data and technology. This includes providing access to the Analyse Bus Open Data Service (ABODS), which enables authorities to monitor service performance and make informed decisions about their networks. Further support is provided through the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) which provides best practice and guidance across all aspects of bus service delivery. The department will consider opportunities to enhanced BCoE’s role in providing support in this area as part of the work set out at paragraph 5.3 above.