The overhaul has been made available through a deal between Metlink and global technology firm NEC. Photo: RNZ/ Dom Thomas
Public transport signs in the capital are set for a major upgrade.
Greater Wellington Regional Council has announced it will replace signs at bus stops and train stations, the new ones offering real-time information (RTI) for services and display available onboard capacity.
The cost of setting up the new RTI system is estimated to be $8m, with about $11m more available to maintain the system over the next 10 years.
Fifty-one percent of this cost is being funded by Waka Kotahi / NZ Transport Agency.
The overhaul has been made available through a deal between Metlink and global technology firm NEC.
Metlink group manager Samantha Gain said rolling out the project could take up to two years.
"About 250 digital signs around the region need to be replaced and new hardware installed on approximately 450 buses.
"By June 2024 we hope to have the new RTI software up and running in the background, and the whole project completed by December 2025."
Greater Wellington Transport Committee chairperson Thomas Nash said it would greatly improve the passenger experience.
"The current system is close to its use-by date and its inaccuracy is a significant pain point for our passengers.
"The new system will greatly enhance passenger confidence in our network."
Information on NEC's new signs will be generated by Metlink and displayed using software developed by Wellington's Somar Digital.
Along with the new signs, text to speech units will be installed at some bus stops for blind and visually impaired passengers.
The project will also make life easier for bus drivers. New tablets will be fitted onboard buses that display route diversions within seconds of being transmitted by operators.