Seven portable NextStop® passenger information kits will support Eurocoaches’ rail replacement operations by using the passenger displays and audio equipment already installed in its coaches.
Rise Digital Media has deployed seven portable NextStop passenger information kits to Eurocoaches in Bristol for use across its rail replacement coach fleet.
The deployment introduces a new integration between the NextStop Driver App and the Bosch Coach smartPanel multimedia system fitted to the vehicles. Instead of installing separate passenger displays and speakers, NextStop delivers audio-visual passenger information through the coaches’ existing onboard equipment.
This is Rise Digital Media’s first deployment of this integration model and establishes a lower-engineering route for operators whose coaches already have suitable audiovisual infrastructure.
Making better use of existing coach equipment
Modern coaches are frequently delivered with high-quality passenger displays and audio systems already installed. Adding separate passenger information screens and speakers can duplicate that equipment while creating additional installation and maintenance requirements.
For the Eurocoaches deployment, the NextStop Driver App connects via HDMI to the vehicle’s Bosch Coach smartPanel multimedia system. Visual passenger information is presented on the coach’s existing displays, while announcements are delivered through its installed audio system.
Trip information is supplied to the Driver App through the NextStop cloud platform. Once the driver selects and starts the relevant journey, the app manages the passenger information output and passes it to the vehicle’s onboard system.
The result is an integrated audio-visual passenger information solution that makes full use of the coach’s existing infrastructure while minimising additional hardware and engineering work.
A lower-engineering deployment model
Because the principal passenger-facing equipment is already installed, the solution reduces the need for additional screens, speakers, cabling and permanent vehicle alterations.
The portable Driver App equipment can be prepared for service with minimal intervention, making the model particularly suitable for mixed fleets and rail replacement operations where equipment may need to be deployed flexibly.
This approach also gives operators a way to extend the useful role of their existing onboard technology. Rather than replacing serviceable equipment, NextStop adds the passenger information software, trip data and driver workflow required to use it for accessible journey information.
Scott James, CEO and Founder of Rise Digital Media, said:
“Many modern coaches already have excellent displays and audio systems installed. The opportunity is to make better use of that infrastructure rather than adding another layer of equipment.
“By connecting the NextStop Driver App directly to Eurocoaches’ Bosch Coach smartPanel system, we can deliver visual and audible passenger information through the equipment passengers already see and hear.
“This first deployment provides a repeatable, lower-engineering model for other coach operators that want to introduce accessible passenger information while taking full advantage of their existing vehicle investment.”
Seven portable kits for rail replacement services
The seven kits give Eurocoaches a flexible passenger information capability for vehicles used on rail replacement work.
Drivers manage each journey through the NextStop Driver App, while passengers receive corresponding visual and audible information through the coach. The portable configuration also allows the equipment to be allocated according to operational requirements rather than being permanently tied to a single vehicle.
A repeatable integration for the coach industry
The Eurocoaches deployment extends the range of installation models available through NextStop.
Operators without suitable onboard equipment can use Rise Digital Media’s complete portable solution, including passenger screen and audio equipment. Operators with compatible multimedia infrastructure can instead connect the Driver App to their existing systems.
This gives coach operators a practical route to passenger information that reflects the equipment already available within each fleet.
Following the successful Eurocoaches implementation, Rise Digital Media will make this integration model available to other operators with compatible onboard audiovisual systems.
