A Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) is an in-bus information display panel providing commuters with on-route information in real-time. These displays may combine audio announcements to complement the visual displays.
Trans-Island Bus Services was the first local operator to adopt PIDS systems, with trials conducted back in 1998 leading to PIDS displays on newly acquired buses. SMRT Buses later expanded the retrofitting of Passenger Information System (PIS) on 600 existing TIBS-inherited buses in 2007. The PIS displayed the name of the next bus stop, and indicated “Bus Stopping” when the bus stop bell was pushed. All future buses procured by SMRT came with the PIS as standard.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is responsible for bus procurement and their specifications since the start of the Bus Contracting Model (BCM). While several types of Passenger Information Display Systems have been trialled in the mid-2010s, the LTA made PIDS a mandatory requirement for new buses procured after 2018.
The Trapeze Common Fleet Management System (CFMS) provides the interface for the provision of bus service information which is displayed on the PIDS. The full rollout of bus stop announcements in April 2021 complements the provision of bus service information onboard buses.
Technical Details
Part of the CFMS comprises an On-Board Computer (OBC) housed inside every public bus, which functions as a database for all bus routes and their en-route bus stops. During normal operation, the PIDS receives key information from the OBC, such as the service number, destination, en-route bus stops, and so forth.
The bus’ location is tracked via GPS antenna, and this information is fed to the OBC, which keeps track of buses en route and increments stops automatically. This is illustrated in the system architecture diagram below, supplied by LECIP:
Current PIDS Units
LECIP OBC-VISION
| Model | LECIP OBC-VISION |
| Buses | Volvo B5LH, Yutong E12, Yutong E12DD, BYD K9, MAN A95 (Euro 6) 3-Door, Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (3 Door) |
The LECIP OBC-VISION PIDS comes installed with one exterior facing unit and interior facing unit.
The interior-facing unit is 29” for Volvo B5LH, Yutong E12, BYD K9 buses, while the exterior-facing unit is 21.5” for all buses.
The interior-facing units are 21.5″ for Yutong E12DD, MAN A95 (Euro 6) 3-Door &Â Alexander Dennis Enviro500 (3 Door).
PIDS Features
- Exterior:
– Bus Service Number
– Destination
– Next three MRT or LRT stations that the bus connects to - Interior:
– Next four bus stops
– Bus Service Number
– Destination
– MRT and LRT transfer information
– Current time
– Indication if the bus has arrived at the stop
– On-board audio announcements of the next bus stop
LAWO INFOtainment
| Model | LAWO INFOtainment (LCD screen display) |
| Buses | MAN A22 (Euro 6), MAN A95 (Euro 6), ST Engineering Electric Bus, Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrid, BYD K9RC, Volvo BZL, Zhongtong N12 |
The LAWO INFOtainment is a conventional LCD screen supplied to LTA’s newly-acquired MAN A95 & MAN A22 buses delivered in 2018. Each bus has at least one on the interior, and one exterior-facing unit next to the entrance door.
For single-deck buses, a single unit is installed within the bus, and for double-deck buses, one unit is installed on each deck.
The interior-facing unit is 29” while the exterior-facing unit is either 21.5″ or 35.8”, depending on the bus model.
Prior to the software update in March 2019, an interim version was displayed from late 2018. The system was not activated when the buses initially entered service in June 2018.
PIDS Features
- Exterior:
– Bus Service Number
– Destination*
– Next three MRT or LRT stations that the bus connects to* - Interior:
– Next four bus stops* (Only displays next stop during initial activation)
– Bus Service Number
– Destination
– MRT and LRT transfer information*
– Current time*
– Indication if the bus has arrived at the stop
– On-board audio announcements of the next bus stop
Features indicated with (*) were only fully activated from late March 2019.
Assistive Passenger Information System
Features:
- Mobile application to allow special-needs users to notify bus captains of their intention to board ahead of time
- Driver Display Unit to inform Bus Captains of disabled passengers intending to board the bus further down the route, so that Bus Captains are able to render assistance if necessary
- Induction loop aerial towards the rear of the bus (marked as T-Loop area) for internal stop announcements transmitted to hearing aids
- Internal Speakers on board the bus, for the broadcasting of bus stop announcements
– A total of sixteen speakers are installed within the Scania K230UB bus, supplied by Visaton - External Speaker to announce the service number and direction at bus stops
Past PIDS Units
Mobitec MobiSCREEN
| Model | Mobitec MobiSCREEN (LCD screen display) |
| Buses | MAN A95 – Lion’s City DD (3-Door) Concept Bus (SG5999Z), MAN Lion’s City SD Concept Bus (SG4002G) |
The Mobitec MobiSCREEN is a conventional LCD screen which displays real-time information on the next bus-stop along its route, and capable of supporting audio announcements. The system was activated on SG5999Z in end-March 2017 (several weeks after its launch) when the concept bus was trialled by Tower Transit on Bus Service 143, and scrolled through en-route bus stops.
Three identical units were installed around the bus: one on the lower deck (at the wheelchair bay) and two more on the upper deck (at the front of the bus, and at the rear staircase). A fourth unit on the lower deck (behind the rear staircase), which was present during public showcases in 2016, was removed to allow for more space in the confined seating area.
As of SBS Transit operations (April 2018), the PIDS has been disabled and no longer in operation.
PIDS Features
- Interior:
– Next four bus stops
– Bus Service Number
– Current time
– Destination
For SG4002G, the Mobitec MobiSCREEN PIDS display was never activated to display route details, and was stuck to displaying a static screen throughout the trial period.
OSG ScreeneX
| Model | OSG ScreeneX (LCD screen display) |
| Buses | MAN Lion’s City SD Concept Bus (SG4002G) |
The OSG ScreeneX® is an LCD screen fully embedded in a double-glazed window. The unique display screen takes no cabin space, increasing both vehicle capacity and passenger comfort. It was operational during the trial of SG4002G on Bus Service 190 and scrolled through en-route bus stops.
Two identical units were installed at the front section of the bus, above the facing seats.
PIDS Features
- Interior:
– Next four bus stops
– Bus Service Number
– Destination
– Current time
Trapeze Multifunctional Display MFD
| Model | Trapeze Multifunctional Display MFD (LCD screen display) |
| Buses | MAN NL323F (SMB3053M) |
The Trapeze Multifunctional Display MFD is a conventional LCD screen which displays real-time information on the next bus-stop along its route, with audio announcements. The system was installed on SMB3053M (a Tower Transit MAN NL323F) between December 2016 to mid-April 2017, as part of a trial initiated by the LTA. The bus was deployed on Bus Service 106 for the trial.
A single unit was mounted overhead in the centre of the bus. When it was launched, the display only scrolled through en-route bus stops; the system was upgraded to feature connecting bus/train information and audio announcements in early April 2017.
PIDS Features
- Interior:
– Next five bus stops
– Bus Service Number
– Destination
– Bus transfer information
– Current time
– On-board audio announcements of the next bus stop
Main Article: LTA trials new information display for buses
LED PIDS (LECIP)
| Model | LECIP (LED matrix display) |
| Buses | All buses built to SMRT specifications (Alexander Dennis Enviro500, Mercedes-Benz Citaro, Mercedes-Benz OC500LE, MAN NL323F, MAN NG363F, MAN ND323F, Mercedes-Benz O405G), BYD C6, SG5999Z |
SMRT Buses uses an Orange LED matrix display from LECIP which displays the next bus stop name on a single line. It is a standard feature on all its buses which were procured under their specifications.
Multiple variants of the LED display are installed across different buses in its fleet. On older buses, the unit is installed at the front section of the bus, mounted on the ceiling. On newer buses, the display is integrated into the front bodywork panel of the bus. Double-deck buses also have a second display unit at the front of the upper deck.
Features
- Interior:
– Next bus stop
Hanover PIDS (LTA Trial in 2015)
| Model | Hanover (LCD screen + LED matrix display) |
| Buses | Mercedes-Benz Citaro (SBS6103Z) |
On 20 August 2015, LTA tested a new display in a private trial with elderly commuters. The display, installed on an SBS Transit Mercedes-Benz Citaro (SBS6103Z), showed the next three stops, along with audio announcements. The bus, permanently assigned to training duties, was never deployed on revenue service.
External Links & References:
- LTA to deploy 50 diesel hybrid buses from December 2018 – LTA
- NewspaperSG – Tibs 167 will tell you where you are (nlb.gov.sg)
Back to Buses
Page 2 – Gallery
SBS6103Z finally was deployed on revenue service under SMRT operations of Jurong West bus package, but…