QR Codes at Bus Stops

1 Introduction

1.1 About this document

1.1.1 This report has been produced for members of RTIG Inform (RTIG) and those interested in the provision of public transport information to the public. The purpose of the report is to provide good practice advice on how QR Codes should be used at bus stops.

1.2 Background and context

1.2.1 QR Codes are a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned by smartphones and other devices - to open digital content.

1.2.2 The objective of this advice is to provide a practical, implementation-ready standard for QR codes on bus stop timetables—covering placement, size, style, and accessibility.

1.2.3 The advice is designed to be robust in the real-world conditions of rain, glare, vandalised stops, low phone signal and older phones – whilst ensuring consistency between operators/authorities; and being easy for passengers to learn.

1.2.4 Passengers should be able to find a QR Code in the same place on every bus stop (predictability reduces cognitive load and ‘hunt time’).

1.3 Scope

1.3.1 This report has no statutory or other legal basis and is purely to provide advice to suppliers, local authorities and bus operators who specify, produce or maintain public transport information at bus stops.

1.4 Limitations and the Future

1.4.1 This report reflects the available technology and those practices which have been found to be effective at the date of publication. However, technology and its applications are evolving and it is therefore probable that new technologies, new developments of existing technologies, and new ways to adopt them on buses will evolve.

1.4.2 RTIG also understands that technologies and practices which are not on the market at the time of writing this document will emerge, and that such developments should not be excluded from consideration.

1.4.3 Operators, authorities and suppliers are encouraged to consider new approaches - bearing in mind the general principles promoted in this document.

1.5 Acknowledgements

1.5.1 RTIG is grateful to the working groups on Inclusive Information and TfL’s Independent Advisory Group.