Real-time passenger information systems improve the public transit experience by providing passengers with accurate, up-to-date information on arrivals, delays, service disruptions, and travel options. By reducing uncertainty, they help passengers better plan their journeys.
Installed at bus stops, train stations, subway platforms, and terminals, passenger information displays serve as a vital communication channel between transit agencies and their passengers.
When connected to real-time network data, these screens can automatically update the displayed information to reflect actual service conditions.
A real-time passenger information system (RTIS) uses data from the public transit network to provide passengers with up-to-date information about their trips.
See a real-time passenger information system in action.
Unlike a system based solely on scheduled timetables, it incorporates real-time data to communicate actual network conditions, such as arrival times, delays, vehicle locations, and service disruptions.
Transit agencies can integrate data from multiple sources, including:
GTFS, for example, provides static information such as routes, stops, and scheduled times. GTFS-Realtime supplements this data with real-time information, including vehicle locations, delays, occupancy rates, route updates, and service alerts.
Once integrated into the passenger information system, this data can automatically feed digital displays deployed throughout the transit network.
One of the main advantages of a passenger information system is the ability to display arrival and departure times based on actual network conditions rather than showing only scheduled times.
For example, instead of simply displaying:
Line 15 — 10:30 a.m.
a screen can show the estimated wait time:
Line 15 — 4 min
Depending on the available data, the screens can display, among other things:
This gives passengers a more accurate idea of how long they’ll have to wait, making their trip more predictable.
When screens are connected to operational data sources, the information displayed can be updated automatically as network conditions change.
If a vehicle is running late or its estimated arrival time changes, the displayed data can be updated without anyone having to manually modify the content on each screen.
This automation is particularly beneficial for transit agencies that operate hundreds or even thousands of screens spread across multiple locations.
The real-time passenger information system is thus directly connected to the transit network’s operations rather than functioning as a separate communication channel.
When an event disrupts service, passengers need to quickly understand what is happening and know what options are available to continue their journey.
A passenger information system can display the following on screens:
Critical messages can also be prioritized over regular content. For example, an important alert can temporarily replace scheduled content or take up the entire screen to ensure it is immediately visible.
The display then becomes a tool that not only informs travelers of a disruption but also guides them through the next steps of their journey.
Passenger information isn’t limited to arrival and departure times. By combining multiple types of data, a passenger information system (PIS) can help passengers choose the option that best suits their situation.
For example, a traveler might see that a bus is arriving in two minutes but is very crowded, while another, less crowded bus will arrive a few minutes later.
Based on available data, the system can provide information such as:
This information provides passengers with more context so they can decide when and how to continue their journey.
Transit agencies typically have a section dedicated to service alerts on their passenger information screens. This section consolidates important information that may affect travel plans.
This section may include:
Alerts can be linked to the affected lines or areas to help riders quickly find the information relevant to their trip.
This section complements real-time information, such as upcoming departures and wait times, by providing additional context about changes affecting the network.
Screens or displays in the passenger information system can also show content that complements travel information.
In addition to upcoming departures, wait times, and service conditions, they can display:
This content can be displayed in different areas of the screen or shown alternately with travel information.
However, travel-related information must remain the priority. Supplementary content enhances the experience without compromising the visibility of the essential information that travelers need.
A passenger information system can combine visual and audio content to make information accessible to a wider range of passengers.
In particular, it can support templates that comply with accessibility standards such as ADA, AODA, ACA, and EAA, as well as text-to-speech (TTS) technologies that convey passenger information in audio format.
ITEStransit, for example, supports these features to help transit agencies provide a more accessible and inclusive passenger information experience.
The combination of visual displays and audio announcements thus allows communication to be tailored to passengers’ diverse needs.
An effective passenger information network relies on the ability to connect transit data to various information points.
Solutions like ITEStransit can integrate multiple data sources, including GTFS/GTFS-RT, SIRI, CAD/AVL, and various APIs, to provide screens with consistent, up-to-date information.
This provides passengers with the information they need to better understand the status of the network and make decisions throughout their journey.