Real-time timetable information at stops

HSL is equipping bus and tram stops with light and economical battery-powered displays that show, in real-time, when the next bus or tram is due to arrive. Displays have already been installed at around 600 stops. Most of the displays are found in Helsinki but a few dozen of them are in Vantaa and at Jokeri bus stops in Espoo.

The displays show real-time information, i.e. they are installed at stops used by buses or trams that are included in the Helmi system. The displays show how many minutes until the next buses or trams arrive.

If there is a tilde (~) before the number of minutes, the display tells when the next scheduled bus or tram is due to arrive. In other words, in these situations the information is not real-time. This happens when the bus or tram loses connection with the Helmi system for one reason or another.

The Helmi system, which provides real-time timetable information, is based on radio communications and vehicle location with GPS. The development of the Helmi system began in the late 1990s and more tram and bus routes have been added into the system gradually. Today the system covers all tram routes, over thirty Helsinki internal bus routes and regional bus routes 550 and 506.

In 2011, the system expands to cover Helsinki internal bus routes 39, 39A, 45, 54, 54B and 20N.