Cityspace to provide Merseyrail with passenger services at unstaffed stations
Real-time Customer Information Systems (CIS), Permit to Travel, help point and CCTV will serve Wirral passengers at the point of need
Rail2008, London, 28 February 2008 –Cityspace today announces that it has been awarded the contract by Merseyrail to install complete customer information and services networks at the five unstaffed stations in the Wirral along this vital urban network serving Liverpool and Merseyside.
Merseyrail manages 66 stations along the 75 route mile network accounting for some 30 million passenger journeys a year. Whilst it has the highest percentage of staffed stations in the country, Merseyrail is committed to providing passengers travelling from the few unstaffed lightly used stations with information, services and security to improve the waiting experience.
The planned services for Little Sutton, Bache, Capenhurst, Overpool and Ellesmere Port in the Wirral will comprise seven Cityspace Smart Points providing ticketing and critically, Permit to Travel. Interactive touch screens will offer access to real-time passenger information, online journey planning, timetables, local area maps with print outs and customised digital travel content. Each unit features a highly visible broadcast screen for live bus and rail departure summaries, planned engineering notices and publicity content. As an added feature to address passenger safety an emergency help point has been fitted to each unit.
The services at the two-platform stations will be built on a wireless backhaul providing the real-time data feed to the terminals whilst creating a flexible infrastructure for CCTV delivering asset protection and personal safety.
“Delivering information, services and security at our unstaffed stations is a priority to instilling passenger confidence across the network,” says Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail’s Managing Director).
“Cityspace came to us with a cost effective combination of passenger services to address the needs inherent in lightly used, unstaffed stations. This project will directly address security perceptions which affect people’s decision to travel on public transport. It will also support our revenue protection drive through Permit to the Travel services whilst delivering a vastly enhanced passenger waiting experience.”
“At Cityspace, we’re passionate about improving the passenger waiting experience,” comments Mark Collin, UK Development Director.
“The Smart Point is our latest modular range of information terminals, ideal to meet the precise passenger needs which Merseyrail is looking to deliver at unstaffed stations whilst supporting the revenue protection goals, front-of-mind of most national rail operators today.
“Whilst this is a pilot for the Wirral network, we believe that the value the service will provide will make it an attractive proposition to deploy in larger stations and major interchanges.”
The Wirral networks are scheduled to go live by May 2008.
Rail plays a major role in the economic life of the region in view of the regeneration of Liverpool and getting people to events related to the Liverpool being the European capital of Culture in 2008.
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Notes to editors
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For further information, please contact:
Sophia Henri
Cityspace PR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7313 8428
Email:
www.cityspace.com About Cityspace
Cityspace is in the business of making cities more accessible by giving people information and useful services where they’re needed most. It is uniquely placed to deliver a complete ‘digital city’ infrastructure.Since 1996 the company has been designing and delivering helpful services in public spaces through its innovative urban digital networks. These managed networks use the latest broadband technology to connect communities with real-time information at the point of need using interactive, broadcast and transactional services.
The company comprises three divisions:
Cityspace Transport works with transport authorities and rail and bus operators to deliver real-time information, journey planning, off-board ticketing and security which makes it easy to use public transport
Cityspace Wireless delivers outdoor wireless broadband networks for public access to online services and the internet, mobile working efficiencies for local authorities and wireless connectivity for fixed infrastructure, such as traffic signals and CCTV
Cityspace Interactive Media provides information and transactional services through self-service terminals in public spaces. Positioned in pedestrian hubs, these terminals help the public to reach their council, navigate the city and access job opportunities, free email and other useful services
Visit www.cityspace.com for more information.
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