Deployment across Nu-Venture’s Aylesford fleet introduces audible and visible next-stop information, live disruption messaging and vehicle tracking for integration with train operating company systems.
Rise Digital Media has completed a fleet-wide deployment of the NextStop® passenger information platform for Nu-Venture Coaches at its Aylesford depot in Kent.
The project covers Nu-Venture’s diverse operating fleet, including both single- and double-deck vehicles, and will support the operator in providing accessible onboard information across its local bus and rail-replacement services.
Passengers will receive coordinated audible and visible information throughout their journeys, including route, destination and upcoming-stop announcements. The deployment supports Nu-Venture’s requirements under the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023—commonly referred to as PSV(AI)R.
Keeping Passengers Informed During Disruption
In addition to scheduled route and next-stop information, NextStop has introduced disruption messaging to the onboard announcement platform.
This allows passengers to be informed when circumstances affect the normal journey, including diversions, changes to the scheduled route and stops that cannot be served.
Providing this information onboard is particularly important for passengers who may otherwise be uncertain about how a disruption affects their journey. It also gives Nu-Venture a more consistent way to communicate operational changes across a mixed fleet.
Supporting Rail-Replacement Operations
As part of the project, Rise Digital Media is also providing vehicle-tracking services designed for integration with train operating company systems.
This will enable the location of vehicles operating rail-replacement services to be shared with relevant systems, providing greater operational visibility and supporting more accurate passenger information during planned engineering work or unexpected rail disruption.
The combination of onboard passenger information, live operational messaging and vehicle tracking provides Nu-Venture with a connected solution capable of supporting both scheduled bus services and the additional requirements of rail-replacement operations.
Scott James, Founder and CEO of Rise Digital Media, said:
“Nu-Venture operates a varied fleet across local bus, school and rail-replacement services, making flexibility and dependable passenger communication essential. “This deployment demonstrates how NextStop can bring accessible onboard information, disruption messaging and vehicle tracking together within one integrated platform. “We are proud to be working with an established Kent operator and helping its passengers receive clearer and more consistent information throughout their journeys.”
Accessible Technology Across a Mixed Fleet
Delivering a consistent passenger-information experience across different vehicle types can present operators with significant technical and operational challenges.
The NextStop platform has been designed to work across varied fleet environments, connecting onboard equipment with cloud-based route content, operational messaging and vehicle-location services.
Rise Digital Media supports the complete deployment process, including fleet assessment, hardware selection, system configuration, route-data preparation, vehicle provisioning, training and ongoing platform support.
The Nu-Venture rollout forms part of the continued expansion of NextStop® PSVAIR, which provides fixed and portable passenger-information solutions for bus, coach and rail-replacement operators.
To learn more about NextStop passenger information, vehicle tracking and accessible onboard technology, visit nextstopapp.co.uk or contact the Rise Digital Media team.
