TSRTC introduces bus stop announcement system
HYDERABAD: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation has begun a pilot project to introduce a passenger announcement system in city buses on the lines of the metro rail.
In metro trains, passengers hear announcements such as, “Your next station is Secunderabad. Doors will open on the left.” These alerts at every stop help commuters, especially those unfamiliar with the route. In buses, however, passengers often depend on co-travellers or wait for the conductor to call out the stop.
To address this, TSRTC has installed the system on 47L route buses operating between Secunderabad and Film Nagar. A private firm has begun a free trial in five city buses. Officials will review the results shortly. If found satisfactory, the system will be extended to all city buses and later to district services.
Six speakers in each bus for voice alerts
The system works on GPS-based technology. TSRTC buses are already linked to the Global Positioning System, and bus stops have been geo-fenced. Many buses currently operate with LED-based destination boards connected to the route monitoring system.
With minor modifications, a vehicle monitoring system can be integrated. Once installed, it will track the bus location and connect with the geo-fencing system. As soon as the bus enters the geo-fenced area of a stop, the stop name will be announced automatically. The process does not require manual intervention.
Each bus will be fitted with six speakers, three on each side, linked to the monitoring system. If the pilot proves successful, tenders will be invited and the contract awarded to the lowest bidder. The installation is estimated to cost between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000 per bus.
