Real time bus passenger information take-up and user perceptions of the service

Real-time passenger information (RTPI) is now a major element in most public transport
systems in the developed world. It has been associated with rail systems for many years and
over the last decade or so has also been used increasingly along the bus network. Yet,
existing analysis assessing issues such as the socio-economic characteristics of users of
RTPI, the devices used to access RTPI information (i.e. mobile phone, home computer, at
stops etc.) and the impact of RTPI on perceptions of public transport reliability and ridership,
has received only limited attention in the literature with few studies focusing on the bus
network in particular. Accordingly, this paper reports on research conducted to assess these
issues with respect to the introduction of real-time bus passenger information in Dublin. The
methodology employed was quantitative and consisted of 360 questionnaire surveys with
bus users undertaken along specific low, medium and high frequency routes during the peak
and off-peak period. The results show that RTPI use correlates with socio-economic status.
They also show that most users access RTPI at the bus stops but that those accessing the
information via mobile devices are from wealthier socio-economic backgrounds. Finally, the
introduction of RTPI at stops and via mobile and internet communications has significantly
increased passenger perceptions of the reliability of the service.