Destinations signs on Sydney’s newest buses are proving to be a hit, with customers who are elderly and vision impaired declaring the new easy-to-read LED displays a resounding success.
Chief Executive Peter Rowley said the positive feedback received from customers is a satisfying result, following consultation with Vision Australia to ensure the most effective signage option was chosen.
“There are 117 of these new buses on order for State Transit, with more than 20 already in service on routes in the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney,” Mr Rowley said.
“Before placing the order for these buses, we met with representatives from Vision Australia and a destination sign manufacturer to evaluate the readability of different signs and ensure the most effective type was chosen for customers with vision impairment.
“After considering a number of options, which included a comparison of white and yellow LED on black backgrounds with the current flip dot destination signs, the white on black LED option was chosen due to the high contrast between its bright white writing and black background.
“I am thrilled that these new destination signs make catching a bus easier for people with vision impairment and it is fantastic to hear the positive feedback coming in from this section of the community,” Mr Rowley said.
Team manager for Vision Australia in Caringbah, Nicole Nevin, thanked State Transit for the opportunity to comment on the type of destination signage being rolled out on new buses.
“The consultation process allowed us to compare the effectiveness of different types of destination signage and has resulted in a positive outcome for customers with vision impairment.
“The new signage is easier to read and makes catching a bus a less daunting experience for people with low vision.”
These new buses are being progressively delivered to State Transit with the final bus of this order due for delivery in June 2015.
What we are hearing from customers
“Action for Public Transport commends State Transit for the installation of LED destination and route displays on a number of buses from Kingsgrove Depot. For brilliance and clarity, daytime or night-time, the new signs are several levels above anything previously used on Sydney Buses. They are much appreciated by passengers.”
“I would like to say I am very impressed at the new white LED destination displays on the new buses presently being delivered to Sydney Buses. They are excellent to see at a distance or up close and are a welcome improvement.”
“I’ve been using buses over 50 years and I have to say the new white light that is used for the display of route is rather helpful. I can see the buses travel down Bronte Road Waverley and are very visible for the elderly like myself so I don’t need to take my glasses off to see the route numbers on the bus.”
“The new display of destination on the outside is great – so much brighter and clear with the blue and white writing. I hope to see more buses like these around in the future.”
“It was one of the new blue and white Sydney Transit Authority buses which have the destination and route number in very bright lights (I assume that they are LED lights) so that elderly people like me who have bad eyesight can see the destination before we get run over whilst peering for the number! All I wanted to say was whoever thought of it should be praised.”
“It makes it easier for a senior citizen to see.”
“Like to let u know I love the new Sydney buses from Tempe depot the ones with the white signage display board that tells you where they’re going and route number. During summer, when the sun is out, it reflects on the display panel so you can’t read it until it comes to you and I nearly miss my bus. With the white display board I can read it so clearly from a bus stop away, even when the sun is hitting it so please keep them and put more on the road. Thank you!”
“I would just like to compliment you on improving the Suburb & bus number on the front of the buses. Noted while waiting for my bus today the bus (a bus to Kogarah) had much larger, well lit up sign on the front of the bus. A huge improvement. I do hope this is the start of updating all the Sydney Buses.”
Chief Executive Peter Rowley said the positive feedback received from customers is a satisfying result, following consultation with Vision Australia to ensure the most effective signage option was chosen.
“There are 117 of these new buses on order for State Transit, with more than 20 already in service on routes in the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney,” Mr Rowley said.
“Before placing the order for these buses, we met with representatives from Vision Australia and a destination sign manufacturer to evaluate the readability of different signs and ensure the most effective type was chosen for customers with vision impairment.
“After considering a number of options, which included a comparison of white and yellow LED on black backgrounds with the current flip dot destination signs, the white on black LED option was chosen due to the high contrast between its bright white writing and black background.
“I am thrilled that these new destination signs make catching a bus easier for people with vision impairment and it is fantastic to hear the positive feedback coming in from this section of the community,” Mr Rowley said.
Team manager for Vision Australia in Caringbah, Nicole Nevin, thanked State Transit for the opportunity to comment on the type of destination signage being rolled out on new buses.
“The consultation process allowed us to compare the effectiveness of different types of destination signage and has resulted in a positive outcome for customers with vision impairment.
“The new signage is easier to read and makes catching a bus a less daunting experience for people with low vision.”
These new buses are being progressively delivered to State Transit with the final bus of this order due for delivery in June 2015.
What we are hearing from customers
“Action for Public Transport commends State Transit for the installation of LED destination and route displays on a number of buses from Kingsgrove Depot. For brilliance and clarity, daytime or night-time, the new signs are several levels above anything previously used on Sydney Buses. They are much appreciated by passengers.”
“I would like to say I am very impressed at the new white LED destination displays on the new buses presently being delivered to Sydney Buses. They are excellent to see at a distance or up close and are a welcome improvement.”
“I’ve been using buses over 50 years and I have to say the new white light that is used for the display of route is rather helpful. I can see the buses travel down Bronte Road Waverley and are very visible for the elderly like myself so I don’t need to take my glasses off to see the route numbers on the bus.”
“The new display of destination on the outside is great – so much brighter and clear with the blue and white writing. I hope to see more buses like these around in the future.”
“It was one of the new blue and white Sydney Transit Authority buses which have the destination and route number in very bright lights (I assume that they are LED lights) so that elderly people like me who have bad eyesight can see the destination before we get run over whilst peering for the number! All I wanted to say was whoever thought of it should be praised.”
“It makes it easier for a senior citizen to see.”
“Like to let u know I love the new Sydney buses from Tempe depot the ones with the white signage display board that tells you where they’re going and route number. During summer, when the sun is out, it reflects on the display panel so you can’t read it until it comes to you and I nearly miss my bus. With the white display board I can read it so clearly from a bus stop away, even when the sun is hitting it so please keep them and put more on the road. Thank you!”
“I would just like to compliment you on improving the Suburb & bus number on the front of the buses. Noted while waiting for my bus today the bus (a bus to Kogarah) had much larger, well lit up sign on the front of the bus. A huge improvement. I do hope this is the start of updating all the Sydney Buses.”