30 April 2009

A £3.3m partnership between Metro, Northern, Network Rail and the Department for Transport has seen customer information screens and public address systems replaced at 43 West Yorkshire rail stations.

To mark the completion of the programme, Phil Sayer - the voice of the automated announcement system across most of the north of England - joined Metro's Deputy Chairman Ryk Downes, Steve Butcher from Northern and Peter Marsh from Network Rail at Bradford Interchange.

While he was there, Phil temporarily took over the announcing duties from the automated system, giving passengers a personalised send-off on their journeys.

"By working with Northern and Network Rail on this £3.3m Customer Information Service project, Metro is making public transport more user-friendly," said Cllr Downes.

"yournextbus has shown us that passengers value the convenience of accurate, timely information, and this project provides rail users with the same benefits.

"Accurate, up-to-the-minute information builds passengers' confidence in public transport and makes it an attractive alternative to the car for more and more people each year, which is good for the environment, our health and our wealth."