Real Time Bus Information Launches on Looking Local

DigiTV Press Release Release date – 15th November 2007 No embargo

Real time bus information launches on Looking Local

Digital interactive TV viewers across Yorkshire and the Midlands can now find out when their next bus is going to arrive at their local stop from the comfort of their armchair or whilst they are out and about on the go. Instead of rushing for a bus or waiting in the rain, people can check where their bus is and how long it will be on Looking Local either via digital TV or their mobile phone.

The local government portal on digital interactive TV and mobile, ‘Looking Local’, has teamed up with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and Network West Midlands/Centro in the West Midlands to offer wider access to their real-time information. By accessing Looking Local on DiTV or a mobile and inserting the postcode or bus-stop number people can find out when their next bus is arriving, as well as wider timetable information.

Bus information is key to people, particularly in rural areas where buses are less frequent and where journeys take longer. By using satellite tracking, both SYPTE and Network West Midalnds are able to give accurate, up-to-the-minute information on where each bus is on its journey.

Looking Local is run by DigiTV which is wholly owned and managed by Kirklees Council. Yorkshire residents who will benefit from the YourNextBus service include people in Sheffield, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Wakefield, Bradford, Calderdale and Leeds. Not only can passengers find real time bus information for all routes, but also detailed information on tickets, park and ride, Traveline as well as request a personalised journey plan to be sent through.

Tim Rivett, Head of IT at SYPTE and Travel SouthYorkshire says: “We are keen to see public transport information on interactive television services as the technology is so wide spread. Often people are more comfortable using a television than they are a computer,, as a result it was an obvious choice as a method of providing information. We need to provide information to the whole population, not just a select few, and are keen to ensure that we do everything we can to ensure that we do not widen the divide that exists in many areas of life between those with access to the internet and those that don’t.”

The Network West Midlands service covers the whole West Midlands area and offers a range of information beyond timetable and bus tracking facilities. Travellers can also find out about the different tickets available, details of buses, trams and the rail network as well as information on sustainable travel and better travel plans. A section called Workwise gives unemployed people in the area more information on what they are entitled to in terms of transport, as well a wider picture of the transport network, which might help people widen their job search in light of the connections available.

Looking Local is free to access on digital interactive TV (Sky, Virgin and Freeview boxes with a modem or broadband connection), whilst costs vary on mobile depending on the package and provider. DiTV in particular is a key channel for people across the digital divide who do not have PC

- Available on Sky, cable, Freeview (with a back channel), kiosk and mobile phones - www.digitv.gov.uk - DigiTV Helpdesk: 0845 434 8540 - Email: [email protected] - Owned and managed by Kirklees Council access or skills. In addition, mobiles are so widespread now that this is a great application for people on the move.

This bus information now supplements national transport information published on Looking Local in partnership with Transport Direct, offering train timetables, some journey planning and the latest traffic and transport news. These transport services sit alongside a wide range of interactive services and useful information published by local authorities across the country as well as other national services such as being able to search for a job via the Jobcentre Plus database and GP appointment booking.

Steve Langrick, Kirklees Business Strategy & Access Manager, who runs the DigiTV service says: "Digital TV is really making a mark in local service delivery now and the addition of more services that are frequently needed only helps to add to its usefulness from a citizen perspective. Real time bus information was an obvious candidate for DiTV integration and I hope will bring real value to the citizens of South and West Yorkshire and the West Midlands. It allows people to manage their time more effectively and get the latest transport information easily and for free. DigiTV is always keen on this type of community focused initiative making 'Looking Local' more compelling overall and a valuable personal resource."

Kirklees Council has just been announced as a finalist in the e-Government Awards 2007 for its work running DigiTV and Looking Local on DiTV and mobile. In particular this award focuses on the partnership with Jobcentre Plus and the fact that now residents across the UK can search for a job for free on digital interactive TV. Kirklees Council and the Looking Local service has been announced as a finalist in the ‘Building a Fairer Society with e-Government: National-scale Services’.

Looking Local has also been awarded a Good Practice Label by the EU in recognition of the work undertaken on digital interactive TV and mobile, particularly in the realm of digital inclusion.

- Available on Sky, cable, Freeview (with a back channel), kiosk and mobile phones - www.digitv.gov.uk - DigiTV Helpdesk: 0845 434 8540 - Email: [email protected] - Owned and managed by Kirklees Council Notes to Editors:

Pathways to reach Looking Local:

SKY VIRGIN • Press the Interactive button on your • Press the Interactive button on your remote control remote control • Select Home and Away • Select SKY Active from the menu • Select Find It... • Select Interactive Services • Select Looking Local • Select Local Services • Select Looking Local TELEWEST FREEVIEW (with Modem or B/band) • Press Interactive • Insert the following url to a browser: • Select News & Info www.digitv.gov.uk/digitv/cds/LookingLocal/Netgem/home • Select Community • Select Looking Local

To view the service via a web browser click here: www.digitv.gov.uk/digitv/cds/TransportExecutive/Netgem/home.html.

For more information on DigiTV and Looking Local visit www.digitv.gov.uk

For more information on YourNextBus from SYPTE visit www.travelsouthyorkshire.com

For more information on Centro Services visit www.centro.org.uk

- Available on Sky, cable, Freeview (with a back channel), kiosk and mobile phones - www.digitv.gov.uk - DigiTV Helpdesk: 0845 434 8540 - Email: [email protected] - Owned and managed by Kirklees Council