the customer
Dorset County Council is one of the first local authorities in the country to launch an innovative new sign, which interacts with mobile phones, providing passengers with the latest bus arrival times.
The signs have been produced for the Kings Statue stops in Weymouth, ready for the arrival of the 2012 Olympics, where the sailing events will take place.
New NFC (near field communication) technology gives direct access to the Traveline website, when a phone is placed within touching distance of the signs. Passengers will then receive up to the minute information on how their bus is running, based on satellite tracking of the vehicles.
Passengers can also access the real time bus information, by texting the bus stop's unique code that is shown on the sign and within seconds receive a text message with the anticipated / expected arrival time of the next three buses from that stop.
Alternatively, they can use their internet enabled smart phone and visit www.nextbuses.mobi and enter the bus stop's code. Finally, a newer technology for smart phone users is to scan a QR code.
All these methods can be saved or bookmarked on the phones, allowing passengers to check how their bus is running from the comfort of their own home, workplace, school or even while out with friends.