"The partnership between Transdev, McKenna Brothers and Luminator for the customer information system on our SKY CLASS buses for Cityzap & Witchway has proven a success in giving customers better information on their journey. The large white destination displays give an automated countdown to departure (through a link with Ticketer) before customers board the bus. Once on board they have an ETA using real time information, taking into account road conditions, letting them know exactly when the bus is due to arrive at the final stop.

Thanks to the flexibility of the system, we were able to produce our own bespoke design of the layout of information on the internal screen, built on feedback our customers on previous projects on routes in Blackburn and Harrogate. Not only have we included all of the real time data but we have also been mindful that the most important information is always visible from all seats on the bus.

Throughout the journey, live, real time departures for bus and rail connections are shown at interchange points to help customers making onward journeys. Along motorway sections of routes, adverts for our Transdev Go app and other helpful products are displayed where the next stop is too far away to be as crucial for customers.

The announcements on board the Witchway are voiced by Jennie McAlpine (who plays Fiz in ITV’s Coronation Street), and by BBC weatherman Paul Hudson on Cityzap. These well recognised local voices have been a hit with our customers.

The partnership between Transdev and our suppliers have allowed us to improve our customers’ experience, giving them the confidence that their bus will depart and arrive on time plus take away the need to forward plan when changing buses, as the information is all displayed during the journey at the relevant times. We know that easily available and accurate information is one of the best ways to encourage customers onto the bus, so bringing these features, many of which are UK firsts, will help us to win customers from the car and part of our immediate vision to Build Buses Back Better."

“From a Mckenna Brothers plus UK point of view we have been extremely excited and proud in delivering this innovative and step changing project in conjunction with our close and collaborative relationship with both Transdev Blazefield and Go North East. In support of our customers testimonials, our innovative approach to the Real Time Information project bare testament to our customer plus the teams involved from both organisations in delivering these high level projects, which is in support of our continued shaping future technology roadmap.

Whilst our customers positive approach during and following COVID 19 , then we as a team are extremely committed in developing, delivering and supporting with our advance and innovative product range, albeit from our on vehicle, stationary signs or back office software we have all of the systems available in order to raise the high level of customer confidence and expectation.

Whilst we strategically see the future as dynamically different, we are highly confident that our technology roadmap will exceed and innovatively advance more  which will be a complement to the success delivered to date”