FWT – LEICESTER CITY CENTRE 2011

Description

Leicester City Council engaged FWT to manage passenger information for a major Phase 2 reorganisation of city-centre bus stops after Phase 1 provoked criticism for poor communication. FWT’s audit found about 80 stops, two bus stations and significant confusion around Haymarket’s flow reversal: inconsistent timetables, poorly displayed alpha-numeric flags (e.g. R2, H1), no maps or places-served index, and broken real-time displays. FWT produced short-term news panels and then implemented a full Where to Board (WTB) scheme: rationalised stop identities (renaming groups A, B, C with double-letter codes and removing numbers), standardised colour-grouping and clockwise sequencing, ensured a map and places index at every stop, and designed consistent flags, shelter roof plates and posters showing stop-specific maps, linear place diagrams, operator-linked routes and timetables. They surveyed, photographed and scheduled rollout materials, installing new posters on 29 May 2011. The comprehensive, user-focused rollout delivered clearer, consistent information, a smooth changeover and positive feedback from council and operators.