The Provision of Real Time Passenger Information - Find a freedom of information request

In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000, I would like to make a formal request to Lincolnshire County Council for information about the provision of Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) at bus stops in your Local Transport Authority (LTA) area.

I understand from the Department for Transport (DfT) that you are the relevant LTA for Lincolnshire, in relation to the responsibilities referenced in the National Bus Strategy for England. I also note that you published a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) last year setting out your intended priorities on this front. Please provide the following information:

1. The number of bus stops in your LTA area.

2. The number (and percentage) of buses operating in your LTA area which have automatic vehicle location (AVL) devices fitted.

3. The number of the bus stops in your LTA area which currently have some form of RTPI physically available in that location (on a screen, electronic display board or similar).

4. If you do have RTPI available at bus stops in your LTA area, which company / companies supplied the physical hardware?

5. Was the hardware purchased by the LTA / operators, or is it leased from a supplier? If it is leased, when is the lease due to expire?

6. Is this hardware subject to an ongoing maintenance contract with a supplier and, if so, when is this contract due to end?

7. Which IT system is used to feed the real-time data from AVL devices to these RTPI display boards at bus stops?

8. Does the LTA have plans to increase the availability of RTPI at bus stops, and if so:

a. Has it been decided whether this will be done with an existing contractor or subject to a new tender / contract?

b. Is this dependent on the allocation of BSIP / Enhanced Partnerships funding and / or other future funding from the DfT, or will the LTA / bus operators be funding these out of resources which are already agreed as part of funding already secured and / or budget allocations agreed by the LTA / bus operators? Please advise of details, including any provisional allocations of financial resources for the provision of RPTI at bus stops over the next three years.

1. Approximately 6000.

2. Approximately 350.

3. None.

4. Not Applicable.

5. Not Applicable.

6. Not Applicable.

7.Not Applicable.

8.

a. No firm plans, may be at key locations

b. It has been discussed as part of the BSIP process and RTPI would be included as part of bus stop upgrades on a corridor-by-corridor basis.

However, the precise locations haven't been discussed as are awaiting DfT announcements on funding allocations.

Lincolnshire County Council are not sure whether there will be an announcement anytime soon, so this is on hold until further notice.

If funding does become available, then it will be something The Council will explore further and provide detail on once it has it.