Heading off, this morning, was not much fun.  Rain, wind and a 20 minute wait at the bus stop meant an unpleasant journey.  The screen at the bus stop stated clearly there was a 20 minute wait, but what option do you have if it’s a 10 minute walk to the bus stop in the first place.

All in all, it’s not that surprising to see why people shun public transport for the car.  To try to counteract this, a technology trial is taking place on the outskirts of London and uses GPS technology to tell you when the bus is getting close.

Victoria Deakins, 26 and one of the projects 90 guinea pigs, has high praise for the project, commenting to The Times that it has persuaded her to use the car less and that the system is unobtrusive.

According to the Times, the planning authorities are giving it a lot of interest:

Ian Foll, of the developer Arnold White, which will install the system in 5,000 homes in Leighton Buzzard, says that it could change travel habits. “If it can be integrated with a fast, reliable bus service you start changing how people use public transport.”

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