Passengers no longer expect their public transit commute to be a matter of simply getting on board at their bus stop, travelling to their destination and then getting off the bus.
They expect more. And not just more in general terms for a near-distant future. They expect more today. More value-add, more safety, more ease-of-use, and more of a connection with their service provider – the transit agency.
Delivering more generally comes at a cost. The transit agency of today, however, has declining ridership, increasing operating expenses and safety and service level targets that remain out of reach with the available cash-in-hand.
Infotainment/Public Display Monitors can help an agency meet the needs of their passengers, and more…
There is a low-cost, simple-to-implement, maximum value solution available to transit agencies to help them deliver more. A solution that can help an agency meet the expectations of their customers by driving more value-add experiences, increasing on-board safety and establishing a better communication connection with their customers. And the best part, from an agency perspective, is that this solution has the ability to earn additional revenue through paid advertising.
An Infotainment system consists of the display monitor, which is installed in one or more locations on the bus and a media player which is typically housed on-board the bus alongside the video surveillance equipment.
Monitors are available in a number of size and functionality options. The media player component is portable and compact and manages images or video content that can be displayed based on pre-defined orders and priorities. Content can be swapped out and pushed to bus monitors at a moment’s notice.
This one solutions helps to:
- Enhance the passenger experience:
- Onboard access to relevant and timely information helps keep passengers connected with what matters and maximizes use of their time. Systems can convey a range of value-add information including rider alerts, next stop details, routing and connection options
- Increase operator and passenger safety:
- Providing a live feed from all or some on-board cameras onto a public display monitor reduces instances of mischief and unwanted behavior. The principle is that if a person sees themselves on the on-vehicle monitor, they realize they are being recorded and are less likely to commit a crime.
- Establish supplemental revenue streams for the transit agency
- Infotainment systems also have the ability to help a transit agency earn supplemental revenue through advertising opportunities.
While many agencies may only be starting to consider infotainment options today, in the very near future, infotainment systems will be fundamental and heavily integrated into our day-to-day commuting lives.
