Published: Thursday, 4th February, 2010 8:00am

Letter: Computer bus sign says no

by Correspondent

Like Stuart McDiarmid (Letters, January 21) I have complained about non-working, or misleading, bus stop indicators and I have received an explanation of sorts.

There is a computer system at the Civic Offices which monitors the bus stop indicators and is supposed to show when there is a fault. However, the system is ineffective and often fails to detect faults.

The staff rely on the computer and don't actually go out and look at the indicators, so they believe that everything is working when it isn't.

This is why one of the indicators at Jackson's Corner has been out of order for over a year. The monitoring system claimed that it was working and the staff accepted this.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital (South Wing) indicator has also been out of order for some time, probably for the same reason.

The indicator at the station for the (now withdrawn) 63/64 route was capricious. It worked all right during the day but, in the evening, it missed out alternate buses.

With such an unreliable system, it might be better to switch it off and rely on the printed timetables. However, we do need backlighting in the timetable boxes so that we can read the printed timetables in the dark.

Rex Hora

Reading

* READING Borough Council responds: The council has good feedback in relation to the Real Time Information (RTPI system) and it is generally very well received. However, with such a comprehensive system there are inevitable issues from time to time and we respond to faults as soon as they are identified.

We are aware of a small number of specific longer-term issues and do aim to address these promptly, however they can be more complex and involve external contractors. The council is always looking at ways of improving access to real time bus information and one such way is via a local phone number, 0118 951 1412, choosing option 1 and then entering the individual bus stop code, or visit www.reading-travelinfo.co.uk

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