Cityspace brings the digital waiting experience to York City
08 May 2006
Real-time travel information delivered through state-of-the-art 'Smart' street furniture provides an unparalleled passenger waiting experience as part of the First and City of York Council ftr scheme
Cityspace, the UK's leading provider of urban digital networks, today announces the unveiling of its latest digital transport network which forms an integral part of the ground-breaking new ftr transport system created by First in partnership with the City of York.
The ftr scheme provides the City of York with a state-of-the-art transport network comprising a fleet of futuristic passenger vehicles, a dedicated high quality route, or 'TRACK', in-vehicle satellite tracking systems, cashless ticketing, upgraded traffic lights and roads and Cityspace 'Smart Columns' delivering travel information and interactive services via a wireless network at the four major bus hubs across the city.
"The Cityspace Smart Columns perfectly complement our innovative transport system and underpin our objective of improving the passenger waiting experience in parallel with delivering the best possible public transport network in the country," says Councillor Steve Galloway, Leader of City of York Council.
The Cityspace Smart Columns feature a large LCD real-time display showing the next five departures from each stop plus public transport information, including journey planners with print outs, and interactive touch screens will soon offer a raft of services including selected Council information, free email and BBC News and the weather.
The wireless network is ideal for a historic city like York, which has an inherently inflexible infrastructure, as it avoids the need for cabling or costs related to fixed line telephony systems.
"Giving our customers the information they want, when they need it, is at the heart of the ftr vision. The information available through the Cityspace Smart Columns combines with real-time information displays at stops, on-board the ftr, and available on mobile phones, to really transform travel." says Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of FirstGroup plc.
"Cityspace is delighted to be involved in this ground-breaking public transport project," says Guy Wolfenden, Transport Director, Cityspace.
"Improving the passenger waiting experience underpins our entire transport philosophy and the ftr scheme provides a real opportunity to showcase an outstanding travelling experience for passengers, both at stop and on bus."
Beyond delivering valuable and efficient services, the wireless infrastructure at the heart of the network lays the foundations for the cost effective addition of further services, including:
• CCTV within the bus shelters to improve public safety across the network
• Traffic lights and variable message sign communications links to reduce the costs of running fixed line communications to existing on-street controllers
• Internet telephone (Voice over Internet Protocol) linking each bus shelter to a travel call centre or the emergency services
• Cashless ticketingEnds
Notes to editors
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For further information, please contact:
Sophia Henri
Cityspace PR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7313 8428Mob: +44 (0)7793 555403
Email:
www.cityspace.com -
About Cityspace
Cityspace is a UK-based technology company, which has been providing urban digital networks in partnership with local authorities since 1996. It is the market leader in outdoor communication and information networks through its pioneering product and service portfolio of intelligent transport systems, iPlus Points and wireless broadband city networks.
The company launched its 'world first' intelligent transport system in Portsmouth in 2004 in collaboration with the City Council and technology partners and has since established a dedicated travel services division deploying digital transport networks in Kent Thameside and with First in York City, among others.
Cityspace delivers wireless outdoor broadband 'hotzones' through its wireless operation and this year implemented the UK's largest Wi-Fi hotzone in Islington LBC, stretching along 4km of the borough's main thoroughfare, from Upper Street to Holloway Road.
The company's flagship product, iPlus Points, are now in some of the UK's landmark cities, featuring compelling content, such as Freemail and BBC News, adding value to the council's free information and communication service.
Cityspace has developed urban digital networks across a number of London boroughs, UK city councils and international implementations in Moscow, Sweden and Brussels , among others. Visit the Cityspace website for information, testimonials and press reviews.
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