Passenger Rail, Signalling & Communications, Technology and IT

Bendigo line getting passenger display system

Bendigo line communications. Photo: 4Tel

Victorian minister for public transport Jacinta Allan has announced the roll out of the Regional Passenger Information and Display System along the Bendigo rail line with Clarkefield Station to be the first system to be operational on Tuesday, September 15.

Real-time travel information will soon be available to passengers on the Bendigo line, with new technology being rolled out at 10 stations.

Allan said electronic displays, public address announcement messages and customer information points will be installed at Clarkefield, Riddells Creek, Gisborne, Macedon, Woodend, Kyneton, Malmsbury, Castlemaine, Kangaroo Flat and Bendigo.

The minister said the initiative would give passengers automated, accurate and timely information about train times, service changes and platform alterations.

“Real-time technology is great news for Bendigo-line passengers, who now have access to timely metropolitan-style travel updates,” Allan explained.

“It means passengers know exactly when their train is going to arrive, even if something unexpected happens that affects services.”

The new displays, which are expected to be operational by October, will also aid customers with hearing and visual impairments, with the improved audio and visual information making it easier to access real-time train information.

Local members for Bendigo and Macedon, Maree Edwards and Mary-Anne Thomas respectively, welcomed the news.

“Real-time travel information makes it easier for locals to plan their journey by giving them up-to-date information about their train,” Edwards said.

“This is great news for everyone in Macedon, but particularly those with hearing and visual impairments, who will soon have access to better audio and visual technology at their local station,” Thomas added.

The technology will also progressively being installed at 33 V/Line stations on the Geelong, Ballarat and Gippsland lines, with all works set to be complete before the end of the year.