Bus Infrastructure (BI)

Bus Infrastructure (BI)

The provision and maintenance of bus shelters is generally regarded in areas where two-tier administrations operate as a ‘grey area’, both legally and politically.

Traditionally Worcestershire bus shelters have been provided by us and advertising companies over time, with the city, districts or advertising companies taking over maintenance of these structures as part of their cleaning regimes.

This arrangement has peculiarities, since the public highway (on which most of these bus shelters are situated) is owned and maintained by us as the highways authority. 

As such, the vested interest in the provision and maintenance of these structures’ rests with us.

Currently there is mixed ownership of shelters throughout the County which has resulted in an inconsistent level of quality, with highly variable standards of maintenance and cleanliness on a stop-by-stop basis with no official maintenance and repair contract existing for any current owner. 

Shelters and infrastructure give the first impression of using public transport and as such need to be of a high quality and maintained if public perception.  

Taking control of Infrastructure assets will provide several benefits to the Authority and members of the public:

  • ownership issues are resolved, responsibilities clear
  • maintenance contract for shelters established
  • standardised shelters enhance public perception
  • clarity on infrastructure responsibility makes sure efficient issue resolution
  • technology investment matched with infrastructure upgrade
  • redesign and rebranding bus service perception and spreading information
  • links to the ability to provide infrastructure solutions that we are delivering
  • innovative infrastructure solutions support county goals

The delivery objectives for Bus Infrastructure in this iteration of the Bus Service Improvement Strategy (BSIP) and subject to funding are:

Advancing Infrastructure for Seamless Passenger Transport (BIC)

As a result of this some corridors have a mixture of shelter ownership as well as a mixture of design and style, whereas a few of these corridors have more recently been subject to upgrade improvements in public transport infrastructure and as a result have a more consistent or standardised shelter delivery and ownership.

As well as shelter types there is also a mix of timetable display styles. This drastically increases the workload required when preparing new timetable displays, increasing the complexity of ensuring the correct format is used and that the correct sheet is used at each stop to ensure that all information is visible. 

In particular, the use of narrow displays is limiting in the amount of information able to be shown, which may negatively impact on passenger perception of the service.   

This also becomes a separate issue as the authority does not provide information at every case within the City and some information is provided by the Operator. This leads to inconsistencies in style

As part of Worcestershire’s BSIP, we are looking to take ownership of all public transport infrastructure and to improve the estate in all areas including ensuring that minimum standards are delivered. 

Where funding is present, we are considering reinstating the notion of minimum standards dependent on patronage (or possible income generation). 

Bus shelter/stop provision is proposed to be considered as two types (Smart Hubs and Standard Plus)

WCC Smart Hub:

  • more than 500 users per week
  • shelter with seating
  • lighting
  • inclusion of locally designed artwork
  • teal time information display
  • additional technology to be considered, including:
    • end panel screen (potential for advertising)
  • CCTV installed to provide a safe and Secure Environment
  • solar and wind turbines to power or offset power consumption
  • sedum element to be considered
  • cycle racks to be installed where feasible
  • shelter location, preferably close to the boarding point
  • pole and flag clearly visible from the roadside, integral to the bus stop
  • raised kerbs to provide level access for buggies and wheelchairs
  • road markings:
    • yellow bus-stop clearway markings
    • sign and red or green surfaced carriageway box
  • timetable information for all routes serving the stop
  • a safe place to cross the road within 50 metres of the bus stop
  • DDA compliant fully accessible for disabled people
  • double length Gold Standard bus stops are located on Premium Routes

WCCs Standard Plus:

  • moderate use (250 to 499 users per week)
  • shelter with seating
  • inclusion of locally designed artwork both physical and digital
  • lighting
  • real time information display
  • additional technology to be considered, including:
    • end panel screen (potential for advertising)
  • CCTV installed to provide a safe and Secure Environment
  • solar and wind turbines installed to power or offset power consumption
  • sedum element to be considered
  • shelter location, preferably close to the boarding point
  • pole and flag clearly visible from the roadside, integral to the bus stop
  • raised kerbs to provide level access for buggies and wheelchairs.
  • road markings:
    • yellow bus-stop clearway markings
    • sign and red or green surfaced carriageway box
  • timetable information for all routes serving the stop.
  • a safe place to cross the road within 50 metres of the bus stop
  • DDA compliant fully accessible for disabled people
  • bus shelter

Strategic Corridor Shelter Analysis - Shelters

In line with improvements to the main strategic network, we also wish to deliver a programme of infrastructure replacement ensuring that these meet the various targets outlines throughout the document.

Our aspiration is to deliver a programme as per the table below to increase the number of RTI displays throughout the County and on Strategic Corridors.

BSIP Targets:

  • BIC1 – increase number of our Owned Shelters
    • initial targets as outlined in shelter analysis
  • improve public perception of bus infrastructure (CS)
  • increase patronage on Worcestershire Network (PG)

Creating Next-Gen Mobility Hubs for Integrated Transport (BIM)

We are leading the way to work with the supply chain to drive a Net-Zero Agenda. Our trial bus stop at County Hall has played host to a range of trial technologies that can be operated from the local harvesting of renewable energy sources alone.

Previous trials have included both the UK’s first solar-powered E-ink RTI displays and, even more impressively, the UK’s first TFT in-shelter display powered purely by solar power.

These technology investigations have been leading towards what will be the UK’s first of its type Smart Hub, to be installed in Worcester City Centre.

The Smart Hub will feature a range of technologies, designed to improve the image of public transport – all to be powered from locally harvested renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power.

In addition to this, we will also be trailing new technology linked to the introduction of these hubs that will allow for measuring the local particulate level, and so will be able to monitor and report on any improvements in air quality that have been achieved through our Bus Service Improvement Plan.

We propose that subject to funding, we would install a dense network of low-power and low-cost particulate sensor technology along Strategic corridors within the authority. 

This would allow the authority to model air quality improvements over time, and report on any improvements that have occurred because of operator fleets migrating to ZEB and Euro VI compliant vehicles.

Worcestershire’s BSIP recognises the importance of new and innovative Smart hubs at critical interchange points which would allow connection with the strategic corridor routes. 

These interchange points would provide a location for Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) pickup and provide a possible booking system (through 10” interactive screens) that allows full accessibility to all residents. 

We are also considering how other modes of transport information (Including Active Travel) can be integrated into the solution with a focus on locations where the strategic network and cycle network overlap.

There have been examples where rural towns become transport hubs (travel interchanges for individual areas), with facilities such as new sheltered bus stops, secure cycle parking and extra car parking, located close to existing railway stations, bus stops, cycleways and walking routes. 

We support the idea and believe that having extra facilities close to bus stops and railway stations as well as strategic network corridors may encourage people to use public transport and connect to rural villages. 

These hubs would need to be tailored to suit the needs of each induvial village.

Identification of rural transport hubs requires working with parish councils to identify locations considering current and future bus routes, community transport and taxi area coverage, rail corridors, active travel, location of car parking provision.

BSIP Targets:

  • BIM3 – increase number of smart shelters, mobility hubs
  • improve public perception of bus infrastructure (CS)
  • increase patronage on Worcestershire network (PG)

Consider income generation opportunities (ring-fenced back to Local Bus Network) (BIL)

Several authorities employ a third-party organisation based on providing advertising concessions. This is particularly common where authorities deem advertising concessions as an appropriate method of income generation, most notably to off-set the revenue or capital cost of infrastructure

Introducing new or updating or upgrading bus stop asset infrastructure, or to provide a supply and maintenance arrangement of shelters in certain locations.

As part of the initial roll out of smart/ mobility hubs we wish to explore how income could be generated by offering companies use of digital estate screens. This offers a unique opportunity to offset costs of maintenance and possibly sustain the future viability of new networks.

BSIP Targets:

  • BIL1 – increase income generated from Infrastructure
  • improve public perception of bus infrastructure (CS)
  • increase in patronage on Worcestershire Network (PG)

Associated survey analysis

  • over 80% of all respondents agreed with the statement:

"Infrastructure for Passenger Transport Services should be improved, such as bus shelters (Passenger Transport Survey 2019)"

  • 56% satisfied with the state of bus stops (NHT Survey 2020)
Was this page useful?