Metro-like automated announcements, real-time visual updates on buses? Soon enough, says KSRTC

WORRIED about missing your stop while taking a nap or traveling at night on KSRTC buses? Relax, buses will soon have 'alert' facilities similar to those on Kochi Metro trains.

- Krishna Kumar K E @Kochi

As many as 500 state transport buses are set to feature Passenger Information Display and Automated Voice Announcement System to deliver real-time updates on stops, arrival time, service disruptions, emergency announcements, etc.

"While the audio announcement system will automatically announce upcoming bus stops through speakers installed on the buses in Malayalam and English, the visual display system shall provide real-time visual updates through digital displays inside the bus, indicating current stop and next stop. Initially, the passenger information systems will be installed on an experimental basis in 400 ordinary buses and 100 super fast buses," a senior KSRTC official told TNIE.