TfL Ref: FOI-2394-2425

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 25 October 2024 asking for information about audio and visual announcements at Bus Stops. 

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. 

Specifically you asked for:

1. Total Number of Bus Stops:

The total number of bus stops in your council area.

As of 6 November 2024, there are around 20,000 bus stops across the TfL network. Please note this number is dynamic due to changes to stops. 

2. Number of Bus Stops fitted with real time audio information systems:

The number of bus stops that are equipped with audio information.

There are 9 bus stops on the route 63 with the audio announcements and 1 stop on route SL10. 

3. Number of Bus Stops with real time visual information:

The number of bus stops that are equipped with visual announcements.

There are around 2,972 bus stops with real time visual information across the TfL network. Please note that this number excludes real time information signs installed by other parties on borough-owned bus shelters. Information about these signs would need to be provided by the local authorities.

4. Implementation Details:

a. A brief description of the criteria or policy used to determine which bus stops are equipped with audio and/or visual announcements.

TfL has used a series of criteria to assess its stops for ‘at stop’ screens since 2007. Stops are scored (using a highly graded scoring mechanism) and ranked at borough level. (Network wide roll out programmes aim to even out network distribution using the ratio of stops to total boarders per borough.) 

The strategy was developed in 2007 using passenger research and extensive analysis of stop characteristics to determine how stops should be scored against a range of acceptance criteria. The list of selection criteria has been reviewed over time and experience shows that it should be kept short to ensure that the outcome results in a logical selection of stops with a strong 'strategic focus'. The criteria used are annual boarders, location within a population centre, rail interchange stops and stops with good night use. For Countdown screens, the stop must have a sign compatible shelter and good power supply.

There were some town centre and 'whole route' schemes pre-dating 2007 that resulted in Countdown being located to stops that do not align with this selection approach. A 'whole route' screen trial on route 63 and Countdown sign allocation to Superloop routes have also recently deviated from the selection approach.

b. A brief description of the requirements of audio and/or visual announcements, as defined by the local transport authority.

Screens display order of arrival, route number, destination and time to arrival. Countdown screens display up to 10 predictions with the first line held static and the three predictions below vertically scrolled every seven seconds. The forth line is used for targeted journey specific disruption messaging which must horizontally scroll within one prediction message cycle and not be displayed again until after two full message cycles (four lines of predictions).

A 'full screen' message is used if the stop is closed, or for very high level emergency messaging when no service is running.

Full screen messages are also used for prediction faults, no predictions available and system maintenance.

There are no policies around the use of ‘at stop’ audio messaging, as TfL does not have a policy to implement ‘at stop’ audio (it has only been used on very small-scale trials).

5. Future Plans:

Any future plans or strategies for increasing the coverage of audio and/or visual announcements at bus stops.

We are committed to enhancing the bus customer experience as laid out in our Bus Action Plan, published in 2022. This plan is available on our website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/the-mayors-transport-strategy 

We know real time information displays are a key factor for customer satisfactions, and have been exploring a range of new technologies ‘at stop’ and on board buses as seen in the route 63 trial, and with appropriate funding we can assess the roll out across more of the network.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access the link provided for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Mary Abidakun

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London