New Interactive Kiosks Bring Further Improvements for Borough Bus Users

The first of two interactive kiosks offering local residents and bus users live bus information, maps and travel planning tools has now been installed.

The kiosk has been installed at Bedford Hospital, near the Bedford Road reception area and also provides up to the minute local news, weather and a full range of Council web pages. A second kiosk will shortly be installed in the Harpur Centre.

The kiosks have been paid for by using some of the £218,000 the Council successfully bid for from the Department for Transport's Better Bus Areas Fund in 2012.

Lib Dem Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "At a time when many other local authorities are cutting bus services in their communities we have been protecting and improving them and the introduction of these new kiosks are more good news for bus users.

"The kiosk at Bedford Hospital and subsequently in the town centre will provide up to the minute information on bus services, maps and travel planning tools to make it even easier to travel around the borough.

"They are also good news for all local residents as they will also provide the latest news and weather as well as access to council services and information too.

"The work we're doing through the Better Bus Area Fund is delivering real improvements and the introduction of these new interactive kiosks will further enhance services for bus users and residents."

Other elements of the "Better Bus" initiative include bus prioritisation at traffic lights in certain areas to improve punctuality, Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) available more widely at bus shelters throughout the borough and the upcoming introduction of smart ticketing.