A solution developed in partnership with Worldline and Virgin Trains and brought to fruition by passenger information display (PID) specialist Infotec to help prevent passenger surge is generating considerable interest throughout the rail network.

Passenger surge when platform details are added to displays in stations is a common issue and one that Virgin Trains was keen to address.

The new approach allows the main board CIS displays to present passengers with up-to-date details about the reservation levels in each carriage, potential cycle storage, arrival times at each calling point and the location of quiet zones within the trains, alongside the core passenger details.

By providing this feature-rich information, Infotec displays are helping to reduce crowding and to meet passenger expectations.
London Euston, where surge has regularly been the cause of complaints, was selected as the location in which to introduce this scheme. The need for everyone to gather in front of the station’s main information display has been reduced by further supplementary updates, including approximate boarding times, on screens throughout the station.

Euston is the southern end of the West Coast Main Line and the UK’s sixth busiest station. Virgin Trains runs high-speed services from here to major locations including Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

Talking about the new system, Infotec Managing Director Tim Court says: "We have worked very closely with Virgin Trains and Worldline to bring their vision of providing more details to passengers to fruition.

"The new displays are already generating considerable interest and we expect them to herald a wider use of feature-rich PIDs across the UK network and beyond. By working in close partnership with experts in the field, we have fulfilled the client’s needs and everyone involved is delighted with the results."