Passengers will soon track buses

Passengers throughout the West Midlands will soon know if the bus, train or tram they want to catch is running late BEFORE they leave home.

Transport chiefs are aiming to use new technology to provide up-to-the-minute data at the click of a computer mouse. Global positioning satellite (GPS) equipment on buses, trams and trains will pinpoint exactly where they are on the system and when they will arrive at specific stops, it has been revealed.

Those details will be linked to Google Maps of the region in order to provide the information through the Network West Midlands website.

And passengers who visit the site will be able to click on to any train station or bus and tram stop. This will provide the timetable for any service halting there.

If the relevant carrier is fitted with GPS then the facts displayed will also include intelligence on delays and give instructions about the exact arrival time.

All Network West Midlands trains already have the device which is also carried by around one third of its buses. That number is increasing and trams should also have it by next year.

The website will be revamped to start providing the extra data within the next few weeks, although the exact date for the switch over has still to be finalised.

Passengers will also be able to plan exactly how far they will have to walk between different services if they need to change en route. And they will be able to find bus stops near their destinations so they know exactly where to get off.

The cost of the scheme is being kept under wraps as it is "commercially sensitive" and involves private firms.

But West Midland Travel controllers Centro said it is "minimal" and is part of larger plans to revamp the entire networkwestmid lands.com website.

Centro spokesman Steve Swingler said: "This is about making it easier and more convenient for people to use buses, trams and trains in the West Midlands. It means they can plan their entire journey from A to B using public transport and we will also include walking routes where necessary."

The latest technology on buses has been announced just weeks after bus ticket inspectors were kitted out with hi-tech Robocop-style CCTV to clamp down on attacks and fare dodgers.