Published by E Ink: Papercast® ePaper Signage Improves the Rider Experience in Public Transit
This article was originally published by E Ink. Real-time passenger information is transforming how people…
Around the world, transport authorities are rethinking how they present real-time information to passengers. The goal is simple: deliver clear, reliable updates in a way that’s accessible, sustainable and easy to deploy.
The technology gaining ground globally is e-paper – and at the forefront of this shift is the Papercast® real-time passenger display technology.
And, do you know what’s taking off? The 28”!
It’s not a radical reimagining of the bus stop. It’s a smarter, more efficient version of something passengers already know and use – a direct replacement for the familiar LED display, designed to slot neatly into existing bus stop infrastructure.
From LED to e-paper: A quiet transformation
For decades, LED dot-matrix displays have been the default way to show live arrival times. They’ve served their purpose, but their limitations are increasingly hard to ignore: high energy use, costly cabling, limited content options and difficulty deploying in off-grid locations.
E-paper changes the equation. It runs on solar power or long-life batteries, consumes energy only when the content updates, and can be installed in under an hour. For a passenger, it’s simply a clearer, more modern display that’s able to show more valuable content. For an operator, it’s a low-cost, low-carbon upgrade that can be deployed almost anywhere.
What one of the world’s leading transport authorities discovered
Recently, one of the world’s largest city transport authorities put the Papercast 28” display to the test. Over eight weeks, two units were installed at busy city-centre bus stops. More than 1,300 passengers were interviewed, alongside site visits with accessibility stakeholders.
The response was telling. Passengers described the e-paper display as “clear, smart and modern”. Among those aged 16–54, preference for the e-paper was 22% higher than for the older LED version. Even though the same live data was displayed, people perceived the e-paper display as more reliable (62% vs 48% for LED), a reminder that design, readability and modern look-and-feel influences trust as much as the information itself.
One accessibility stakeholder noted that the e-paper display “does not suffer from light issues like other digital boards when the sun is out”. Passengers with visual impairments cited the contrast, font clarity and reduced glare as making it easier to read than the LED equivalent.
The impact on passenger confidence
Perhaps most striking was the effect on how people felt about their journey. Infrequent bus users reported a 26% increase in confidence to travel when using a stop with the e-paper display compared to the legacy LED.
The trial also revealed an emotional dimension. When asked if the display showed that the operator ‘cares about its customers’, 11% more people agreed when looking at the e-paper display compared to the LED. As one passenger put it: “If this display could be placed at every bus stop, I’d use the bus more often.”
More than just countdown times
Passengers in the trial didn’t just respond to the display’s clarity, they wanted more from it. Many asked for features like live bus location, diversion alerts and crowding information to improve safety and journey planning. The Papercast platform is designed with this in mind, capable of showing rich, real-time information far beyond bus arrival times.
Why the 28” display works so well for upgrades
Because the Papercast 28” fits directly into standard bus stop housings, authorities can replace older LED units without major infrastructure changes. Its solar-powered, ultra-low-power operation removes the need for mains connection, slashing both installation and running costs.
Independent analysis shows it is 98.6% more energy-efficient, 98.8% lower in carbon emissions, and 99.8% cheaper to power than a typical LED display.
A signal of where the industry is heading
This isn’t just about swapping one display type for another. It’s about recognising that passenger information is both a service and a signal. A well-designed, modern display can improve accessibility, inspire confidence and reinforce the perception that public transport is cared for and worth using.
As transportation organisations push towards net-zero targets and smarter urban mobility, the Papercast 28” e-paper display offers a rare combination: a proven retrofit solution that’s easier to run, cheaper to operate and better for the passenger.
The verdict from the trial? A modern real-time passenger information display can do more than tell you when the bus is coming, it can make you want to catch it.
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