High tech station screens pave way for high intensity Thameslink train service

These high res pictures can be downloaded via this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B37S24j3JgC7cWNhZF81YWdBZGM

New information screens with ‘at-a-glance’ journey details are being fitted to Thameslink stations in central London in preparation for a new generation of train and a future high intensity service.

Siemens-built Class 700 trains will begin to enter service on the Thameslink route later this spring. By the end of December 2018 they’ll be running every two and a half minutes between Blackfriars and St Pancras.

Thameslink’s Programme Director Keith Wallace said:

“Our new trains are cutting edge and we need cutting edge station screens to match. Passengers from the outset will be able to see, at a glance, where the next train is going instead of waiting for endless screens of information to scroll round.

“They’ll be shown where to stand on the platform for the new trains’ wheelchair areas, first class and bicycle storage.

“This will be great for our passengers in 2016 – and essential for our passengers in 2018, when frequencies rocket to trains every two and a half minutes and the Thameslink route expands dramatically. At that point, passengers in central London will need to know quickly and easily which service is the one they want.

The screens replace all the current ‘white on blue’ displays to make it easier and faster for passengers to work out which train to catch.

They show, at-a-glance, the next train’s full station calling pattern. Existing screens are much smaller and take a long time to scroll through the list of stations.

Each screen shows 30 minutes of departures. Current screens show only 3-4 departures at a time

They give information on where facilities are within the new train – and where those facilities will stop on the platform for passengers with mobility issues, those travelling first class and passengers travelling with bikes.

There will be eight screens on each platform, not four, so that passengers are never more than 20 metres from a screen, encouraging people to spread out.

The screen design was devised by industry experts from Network Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway, InfoTec (the screen supplier) and ATOS WorldLine (who provide the back office systems and supply train running data to the screens).

‘Human factors’ experts ensured the design was easy for passengers to use. The designs were verified by various customer and user groups, as well as Transport Focus and London TravelWatch.

Ends

Editor’s notes

The screens are being installed at London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and London St Pancras stations.

The screen installation project is due for completion by August 2016.

This is what they’ll look like when they go live: