RTPI system lets down passengers on strike day
18 November 2022

On Friday 18 November, as on some previous days and as will be the case on 21 November, most of First Bus drivers are on strike because of a dispute with the bus company over pay and conditions.

The real time passenger information system at bus stops and on bus operators’ apps are supposed to provide passengers with useful information with what is happening with services.

On this strike day, however, the RTPI system continued to show buses as though they were running normally. The timetabled times for buses were shown as “Expected” at certain times even though the services were not running. I viewed the RTPI board at the bus stop in Grampound and it showed each hour the expected time of the next bus. There was a message at the bottom of the screen saying “Disruption to First services on Fri 18 and Mon 21 because of strikes”. A passenger seeing that message but, at the same time, seeing an “Expected” service at its normal time might conclude that this particular bus would be arriving but that there might be cancellations of other services. But he/she would have been wrong. No First services were going to arrive that day. The First Bus app was no better, showing a list of expected services when, in fact, none were going to come along. This situation was not confined to the 27 route. From what I could see at bus stops in Truro, the same applied: services showing as running when they were not.

Once again, unfortunately, a disappointing performance from those in the Council and the bus companies who are responsible for this system.

Update
21 November 2022

Some progress has been made. See RTPI shows cancelled service on strike day.