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Why using public transport has never been easier

27 October 2006

David Cameron's Shadow Transport Secretary has been shown how travel advice in West Sussex is really a case of 'touch and go' thanks to the launch of nine newly upgraded 'iTravel' terminals with more to follow in the future.

Chris Grayling MP was given a demonstration of the interactive touch screen terminals sited in town centres, which offer free access to real-time public transport timetables , on-line journey planning, local maps, and other useful information such as taxi services.

They have been provided thanks to a link-up between West Sussex County Council and Cityspace, the UK's leading provider of urban digital networks.

The terminals are equipped with printers so that people can take away bus and train timetables and journey details.

Passengers can even look for a job or find out what's happening in the world while they wait for a bus thanks to links to a jobs search website and the BBC news site. Users can also send a free e-mail.

Mr Grayling tried out the 'iTravel' terminal in Friary Way, Crawley, during a visit to the town on Wednesday (October 25), which included a trip on the high-tech Fastway bus network.

He said: "We need to give people the kind of real choices that will encourage them to leave their cars at home. I am sure that these terminals will help make using public transport easier. That has to be good news for our environment in terms of reducing congestion and pollution."

Mr Grayling was accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Tex Pemberton, West Sussex Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.

Colonel Pemberton said: "This is state of the art technology is designed to provide a wealth of passenger information. The terminals all have broadband access, so the information people need is delivered quickly.

"I was very impressed by the versatility of this technology, and am looking into commissioning an even wider roll out.

"I was told that mobile 'i terminals' on buses is also a possibility, and this is an area that I am also keen to explore with our major bus operators such as Metrobus with whom we have worked closely to develop the Fastway network at Crawley."

Guy Wolfenden, Director, Cityspace Transport, said: "We are delighted to have been selected by West Sussex for this important real-time and interactive information service."

"At Cityspace, we are dedicated to improving the passenger experience and have found that easy access to accurate transport information and services goes a long way to encouraging people back onto public transport and out of their cars."


The new-look, distinctive blue terminals are also located in the following major town locations:

Bognor Regis High Street

Burgess Hill Church Road

Haywards Heath outside the Officers Club in South Road

Horsham The Carfax

Littlehampton High Street

Shoreham High Street

Worthing Montague Place and South Street.

The terminals come at a time when bus travel in West Sussex is steadily increasing, and bucking a national trend.

Last month, the County Council published figures showing that the number of passenger journeys went up from 17,246,000 in 2004/05 to 18,016,322 last year.

That compares with 13,877,143 passenger journeys five years ago.

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