More than 100 audio bus stop displays installed

New audio announcement information displays have been installed at more than 100 of a town's bus stops.

The new system is intended to make real-time information about arrival times of buses more accessible to all passengers, said Reading Borough Council.

They are "easier to read, have faster response times and are more energy efficient" than many of the old displays which were "faded, difficult to read and problematic to maintain and repair", it said.

"Reading has an excellent bus network and making it even easier to use and more accessible to everyone will help even more people get on board," said John Ennis, council lead for climate strategy and transport.

The new equipment has been funded by the Department for Transport's bus service improvement plan grant and forms part of the council's enhanced partnership agreement with bus operators, the authority said.

The units, placed at 101 bus stops and shelters, have all been fitted with large yellow push buttons, which deliver an audio announcement of the next bus services to call at the stop when pressed.

Reading resident Bob Bristow, is blind and said the new system meant "not only do I know I am at the right stop, I also know when my bus is due and it is the one that is pulling up at the stop".

Mr Bristow, who regularly attends the council's access and disabilities working group, said that before the introduction of the new audio display he "wouldn't have any idea which was the one I required unless there was someone there to ask".

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