PASSENGERS who have been left frustrated with the city’s public transport system can take heart as the new real-time bus information (RTI) displays should be in the Salisbury area within the next two weeks. 

It has been a rocky road for the Salisbury Reds bus company in the last year which has struggled to provide drivers consistently for routes or to provide passengers with timely updates when buses are not scheduled to run. 

This has resulted in people waiting for lengthy periods of time. 

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Cabinet member for transport, Councillor Caroline Thomas, said: “The first batch of real-time bus information (RTI) displays went live in the Warminster, Westbury, Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon areas at the start of the week commencing February 27. We are now working towards getting most of the RTI displays in the Salisbury area live within the next two weeks.

“The Salisbury RTI displays use new data technology which is currently undergoing final testing and we need to ensure this is working correctly before we can switch the displays on.

“During the installation process, electrical problems were identified at a small number of locations, and these are being addressed before the displays can be installed. We are working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.”

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In response to a query about the frequent lack of communication, Salisbury Reds general manager Andrew Sherrington said: “We have just had one of our best periods of delivery in Salisbury following the challenges left by covid, our mitigation plans have made a difference in our ability to serve our customers as they expect, although still not perfect. 

“We continue to recruit drivers and we really want good people to consider coming to work for us for a job that makes a difference to those who live in Salisbury. The live bus screens around Wiltshire are due to be switched on shortly - and that will add to passenger confidence, alongside our app and website live tracking.”