Cardiff Bus (Bws Caerdydd) is the main operator in the Welsh capital. With a total fleet of 252 vehicles, including 19 articulated and 13 double-decker buses, they have been providing passenger services in and around Cardiff since 1902.

Navaho Technologies Ltd worked in conjunction with their Integration Partner, Configure Ltd to create a fully integrated multimedia solution for Cardiff Bus. Together, they produced a cost effective solution for a real-time passenger information system.

The original brief by Cardiff Bus was a solution that included on-board screens displaying Freeview TV and advertising along with an audio announcement system with which the driver could choose from a selection of pre-recorded passenger information messages such as “Please stand clear of the doors”. The project quickly involved several different products from various companies, and Configure were brought in to help integrate the solution.

The initial version had several issues, but demonstrated that an information display service on buses was desirable for their customers.

Once the concept was established, albeit with some significant limitations Configure were tasked with finding a more workable solution. One of the key problems was that the advert system was pretty unusable with it being very difficult to update and change the adverts. Additionally, there were several reliability issues and a new requirement to be able to show feeds from the CCTV system at certain times of the day. A more integrated solution was needed.

Configure approached Navaho Technologies for the automotive version of their popular digital signage product, MediaCAT. With the ability to use Wifi to update the content, take live video feeds from external sources, as well as integrate with driver controls for audio announcements, this proved the ideal solution.

An additional advantage of Navaho's MediaCAT system is that advertising can be scheduled by date, time of day or even location. This can really help target adverts to your audience and is a particular benefit for seasonal adverts, e.g. Christmas promotions, Summer specials etc.

Cardiff Bus have found the ability to schedule content by time of the day to be useful in other ways. For example, in the mornings, during the commuter rush hour, the content is predominately television news, which encourages more people to use the bus rather than their car. By increasing the amount of CCTV shown during the night, Cardiff have successfully reduced the levels of violence and vandalism.

“Cardiff's double decker buses are contracted for a number of School runs in the City. With their “Freeview” music channel playing, Graffiti is now non-existent. In the first 6 months, Cardiff could only link one seat being cut during the school run. Previously, this was a daily occurrence.”

Jim Driver, Managing Director, Configure Ltd.