Delivering Real-Time Passenger Information for Portsmouth’s Bus Network

Industry

UK Bus Industry

Customer story

Portsmouth City Council selected Vix Technology for a major expansion of its Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI) display network, carried out as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

Achievements

Portsmouth’s RTPI network more than doubled, improving accessibility and passenger confidence across its entire bus network.

Technology deployed

Battery Powered E-Paper Displays, TFT Displays, Audio Announcements

529

RTPI displays deployed

179

battery-powered E-Paper displays

108

TFT displays

92%

of stops are equipped with audio enabled announcements

"Enhancing real-time passenger information is a key step in making bus travel more accessible and convenient for everyone in Portsmouth."

Councillor Peter Candlish

Cabinet Member for Transport at Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth's vision for bus travel

Portsmouth's Bus Service Improvement Plan outlines a vision for a faster, more reliable, convenient, and affordable bus network, where the bus is the first choice for many people's journeys. Improving access and inclusivity is a major focus to achieve this vision, so BSIP funding is being used to introduce the latest audio-visual information systems across the bus network.

The challenge

Portsmouth City Council maintains 572 bus stops, but prior to the BSIP cash injection only operated a Real-Time Information (RTI) system, including an audio facility, at a selection of 238 high demand stops - 42% of the total stops in the network.

Portsmouth City Council wanted to improve passenger confidence and accessibility on public transport by more than doubling its estate of real-time passenger information (RTPI) displays to reach 100% coverage.

The solution

Vix Technology was selected to deliver city-wide coverage, rolling out a range of displays, as well as a unified display management back office. The platform supports a variety of display types from different vendors in one place, giving visibility and control over all display and stop information.

The solution met the project's goals to ensure that all bus passengers across the city can travel confidently with reliable, accessible service updates at bus stops.

Expanding Portsmouth’s RTPI network from 242 to 529 displays, Vix Technology brought live service updates to every bus stop. The new displays include:

179 battery-powered E-Paper displays: Installed at stops without shelters, providing live updates in a sustainable, energy-efficient way.
108 in-shelter TFT displays: Delivering high-quality, real-time passenger information at key transport locations.
Audio announcements at every stop: Push-button activated audio ensures visually impaired passengers can receive vital travel updates.
Seamless integration: Managed through our Vix display management back office, ensuring all displays are centrally controlled on a single platform.

The results

By ensuring every bus stop in Portsmouth offers live, accessible passenger information, Portsmouth City Council has set a new standard for UK bus networks. With a central display management system in place, the city now has the flexibility to expand and adapt its RTPI infrastructure using next-generation display technologies such as LED, E-Paper, and TFT displays.

Councillor Peter Candlish says:

"By more than doubling the number of live displays, we’re ensuring that passengers can plan their journeys with confidence—whether at a major interchange or a local stop. This investment, delivered in partnership with Vix Technology, demonstrates our commitment to making public transport more accessible and supporting sustainable travel. It’s about making buses a more attractive option for residents and visitors."