Real Time Information

Centro now provide several ways of presenting Real Time Information for bus services in the West Midlands. We have a variety of On Street displays, Bus station/Interchange Displays, Interactive Totems, Interactive Kiosks, Mobile Applications, Website applications and the SMS Service "Text Time".

Over the last ten years we have been installing screens On Street and at our Bus Stations. However currently only a limited number of services are Real Time enabled.

Through partnership work with bus operators in the Centro area, we aim to get as many buses as possible fitted with tracking equipment. Over time you will start to see many more real time predictions appearing on our products.

Have you spotted a fault on a screen near you? Report a fault

How to use a screen near you

All our screens will show you two types of bus information, Real Time and Scheduled.

A Real Time Prediction will be given in minutes. This will count down as the bus approaches the stop. When the bus is within a certain distance from the stop the prediction will change to DUE. Please note, if a bus becomes delayed due to congestion on the route, this prediction will count upwards, always keeping you informed accurately about the buses progress towards your stop.

Scheduled information is shown when no tracking is available for an individual vehicle/journey or a route. These are shown in 24 hour clock format and should match the times shown on the published timetable. If the bus arrives early or late the display will not have any way of knowing this and once the scheduled, time has passed the information for that journey will disappear.

All our screens are capable of showing service information messages. These will appear either static or scrolling along the bottom line of the displays. We are restricted to 78 characters for on-street signs so messages will be short but informative. Centro and the operators of the bus services will endeavour to provide you with up to date service information if any problems occur. We will also use this area to inform you of any changes to the bus network or keep you informed about any events we are holding in your area where you can come along to discuss your views.

Every display unit is also equipped with RNIB React which enables blind or partially sighted people to interact with the screen and provide Audio announcements about location and departures.

Other ways to obtain Real Time information

Mobile Applications

SMS Text Time Service 

Further Reading / Useful Information and Links

Display Types

Current RTI Display Locations

Report a fault