Lancashire Plugs Back into Real-time Bus Info

Lancashire is catching up with the cities as live bus arrival screens make their long-awaited return. Digital displays are starting to appear across Preston city centre in the first phase of a countywide rollout designed to give passengers accurate, up-to-the-minute departure times while they wait.

Lancashire County Council

The opening order covers 59 stops at 24 locations in Preston and stretches to Carnforth, Morecambe, Longridge and Penwortham. More than 100 stops in East Lancashire will follow in early 2026 thanks to Levelling Up funding, with the rest of the county joining in over the next couple of years.

The system pulls location data direct from the bus and constantly recalculates arrival times to keep the screens honest. The same feed will power apps and websites covering all 8,000 stops in Lancashire, so the information goes well beyond the new hardware.

It is something of a comeback. Preston and South Ribble once had real-time displays, but the kit was switched off in 2011. Their return is being bankrolled by Lancashire’s £50 million Levelling Up Fund bid and delivered through the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan as part of a wider Future Mobility Platform using AI and digital tech to modernise the county’s network.

Lancashire County Council

County councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for highways and transport, said,

“We’re pleased to see the return of live bus arrival displays in Preston, which marks another step forward in making public transport more accessible, reliable, and user-friendly for our residents.

"This technology helps passengers plan their journeys with confidence, and its reintroduction reflects our ongoing commitment to improving the experience of bus travel across Lancashire.

"We’ll continue working closely with communities and operators to deliver better services, more frequent journeys, and smarter infrastructure – ensuring public transport remains a viable and attractive option for everyone.”

Why it matters to operators

For bus companies, the investment offers more than a cosmetic facelift. Consistent real-time data gives operators a clearer picture of network performance, helping to identify delays, refine timetables and manage resources in live conditions. Accurate public information can also cut down on complaints and help retain passengers who might otherwise drift to private cars or ride-hailing apps.

What passengers stand to gain

For travellers, the value is obvious: reliable countdowns remove the guesswork and reduce perceived waiting times. A screen that shows a bus is three minutes away does more than inform – it builds trust. As Lancashire rolls the system across 8,000 stops, passengers from Carnforth to Clitheroe will be able to plan journeys with far more confidence, giving the humble bus stop a long overdue digital upgrade.