Fife buses add ‘next stop’ announcements to buses in region

The first batch of buses with the system have gone live on routes in Glenrothes and Dunfermline.

The announcements, both audible and visual, will improve accessibility in the region, increasing travel confidence for disabled users, whilst also supporting the many visitors to the region by providing clear route and stop information on board the bus.

Douglas Robertson, managing director, Stagecoach East Scotland said: “On-board announcements can provide so much clarity on the route the bus takes and the bus stops served. It encourages independence for disabled users and supports access to public transport and community facilities. We’re working to roll this out to all our vehicles and are on track to ensure all vehicles have this useful system on board by 2026.”

The technology used on the Stagecoach buses works in tandem with the destination screen on the front of the vehicle. The driver sets the correct destination screen based on the route operated and the announcements are automatically played on board the bus to call out the next stops using GPS tracking. Drivers can even override the system when they require to operate on a diversion, so that the announcements remain accurate at all times.

All Stagecoach buses used on the electric city networks within Perth and Dunfermline now have the on-board announcements live, along with several new vehicles recently added to the Blairgowrie and Glenrothes area. Any new vehicles ordered by the bus company will also have the equipment on board and existing buses will be fitted with the equipment gradually.