Bus stops go solar powered in Milton Keynes

The displays, installed in bus stops at the Theatre District, will supplement printed schedules.

They are being trialled until next spring and, if they prove a success with passengers, more could be rolled out across the whole borough.

MK Council is keen to hear from feedback passengers, including their views about what other information should be in the display.

More than 100 of the 1000 bus stops in Milton Keynes already offer 'Real Time Passenger Information' (RTPI) technology. This displays where a bus is located.

There are also two large screens in the Central MK shopping centres

The RTPI screens offer limited information while the new e ink displays can show a variety of information, including maps.

Now MK Council is keen to work with bus operators to expand the service if there’s demand – and to do it in an environmentally sustainable way.

Solar powered displays would enable the council to make updates in real time and would stop the reliance on reprinting and installing paper-based timetables and maps.

MK Council is one of a handful of local authorities currently trialling the technology. It’s part of the council’s aim for MK to be carbon neutral by 2030, and to stimulate the local economy in more imaginative and environmentally sound ways as Milton Keynes recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Councillor Jenny Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Transport said, “In a modern place like MK you’d expect to see more real time information to help people use the bus network with confidence, so I’m pleased we’re looking at how to roll this out in line with what passengers want."

"Using technologies like solar, and making these changes to make public transport easier and more accessible will get us that little bit closer to our ambition to be a leading sustainable city.”

To contact the council with your views email [email protected]