Bus operator Arriva has signed a €10 million contract with an Italian company, which will supply and maintain transport fleet management and passenger information systems.

Arriva, which will start running the island’s public transport in July, signed up with Thetis, a company that offers engineering and technology expertise.

Thetis will provide custom made systems that will include real-time control of buses, real-time passenger information feeds and displays, electronic ticketing, video surveillance, passenger counting and the barrier and ticket management of the three park-and ride sites.

As part of the real-time passenger information provision, the control centre will send bus arrival information to about 100 electronic displays at bus terminals and bus stops.

Buses will also have displays for each fare stop and announcements to help those on board keep track of their journey.

Arriva managing director Keith Bastow said: “Helping passengers better plan their journeys and know what is happening is extremely important in meeting the high levels of customer satisfaction.