Hyderabad: Passengers travelling on city electric buses may soon no longer have to ask fellow commuters or conductors about their next stop. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) is testing a digital infotainment system that will announce upcoming stops, similar to the system used in Metro Rail services.TGSRTC has tied up with a private firm to introduce digital advertising screens in its electric buses. As part of a pilot project, the screens have already been installed in 10 electric buses operated from the Hayathnagar-II depot. The buses have been deployed on the busy Hayathnagar-Patancheru route, which has been selected for the initial rollout.A senior TGSRTC official told TOI, “Unlike conventional displays that primarily carry advertisements or entertainment content, the new system is designed to combine commercial content with passenger information. TGSRTC plans to use the screens to display the names of upcoming stops and other important points along the route, allowing passengers to know in advance where the bus is headed and where they need to alight.”Officials said details of major stops and stages on each route will be pre-loaded into the digital system. The announcements and display of upcoming stops are expected to be particularly useful for passengers unfamiliar with the route. The system is intended to function in a manner similar to Metro Rail announcements, providing commuters with advance information about the next stop as the bus approaches it.The pilot project also allows TGSRTC to develop a new source of non-fare revenue. Commercial advertisements can be displayed on the digital screens during journeys, with the advertising space providing an additional revenue stream for the corporation. TGSRTC is expected to assess the response to the pilot before deciding on a wider rollout.According to officials, if the system proves successful and receives a favourable response from passengers, the corporation plans to extend it to electric buses operating from other city depots. It is also considering using the screens to disseminate information on govt welfare schemes, TGSRTC services and other passenger-related updates.
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