Realtime information revolutionises public transport in the Manawatū-Whanganui region

Real-time passenger information displays have helped revolutionise public transport in both Papioea Palmerston North and Whanganui says Isaac Mills, Senior Transport Planner, for Horizons Regional Council.

“Our biggest challenge was being able to communicate to passengers when their buses would arrive – we were reliant on static information displays at bus stops and we had no live tracking.”

Horizons, under its Connect – Horizons Regional Transport brand, started using Radiola’s Dynamis® software system a couple of years ago. Dynamis integrates seamlessly across our systems and meant we could provide bus live tracking information directly on the Horizons website.

“Live information became directly accessible at the fingertips of our passengers who had the right technology and could use apps,” says Isaac. “However, not everyone has access to apps or data.”

The challenge then became to communicate with people who didn’t have access to our systems at bus stops and shelters.

Horizons was successful in obtaining funding from the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Transport Choices initiative in 2022. The funding aimed to improve the public transport system, making it more attractive, easier to use and more accessible

The funding was ear-marked for bus shelter improvements and to roll out real-time information displays at bus stops across Papioea Palmerston North and Whanganui

Radiola won the contract and to-date has installed 60 real-time displays across the region with 42 in Papioea Palmerston North and 18 in Whanganui. These are 13-inch display screens with some installed in bus shelters and others free-standing at bus stops on the street. Each display is solar powered and equipped with batteries, so they work in all weather conditions.

“The displays are highly visual and very eye catching,” says Isaac. “We were able to customise them so that our Palmerston North displays are green to fit in with local branding while the Whanganui ones are blue. Both include our Connect – Horizons Regional Transport logo, furthering the reach of our brand.”

In addition to the 13-inch displays, Radiola also installed four 32-inch e-paper displays in Palmerston North; two at the Main Steet Bus Hub, one at Massey University and one outside of another popular CBD bus stop.

“We are among the first in the country to have this type of large e-paper display and they really are impressive,” says Isaac.

Passengers have responded positively to the real-time innovation, which has modernised public transport in the two cities.

“The displays are simple and easy to read, giving passengers the confidence and assurance to know when their next bus is arriving. They know if they’ve got time to pop off and do something else before the bus arrives, and they’re reassured they’re in the right place at the right time and that they haven’t missed their ride.”

The ability to put up banner messages if there are detours, or when changes are made to services, is invaluable. Isaac explains:

“It’s allowed us to communicate directly with those using the services in a way we haven’t before.”

The real-time displays also have an audio function for those who prefer to receive information that way.

“The trick with the audio function,” Isaac notes, “is getting the volume right in heavy traffic areas.

Additionally, each unit has a built-in impact detection sensor – if someone hits the post or damages the unit, it will shut down and send a warning to the monitoring system.

This is just one of many notification features including low battery, device off-line, signal strength, humidity monitoring.

“This means that if we are alerted to a fault, we can respond to it quickly.”

Working with Radiola has been a pleasure, says Isaac. They are quick to problem solve and are continuously innovating their Dynamis real time software to the benefit of all their customers.