Japanese government officials have been looking at Brighton and Hove's bus technology for tips on improving their own public transport systems.

Kiyoshi Sakai, a government director in the Japanese land and infrastructure management ministry, and transport researcher Norikazu Suzuki investigated the city's successful partnerships to improve bus services and increase passengers in the city. They toured Brighton and Hove on Wednesday with transport planners from the city council and the bus company.

Councillor Craig Turton, deputy chairman of the environment committee, said: "It is exciting that representatives from the government of Japan, a country renowned for its technological innovation, are interested in what we are doing here.

"They came to Brighton and Hove because they had heard about our good practice and resulting success in increasing bus passengers."

Using satellite technology, the council has been able to provide on-the-spot information at bus stops about when buses are due and has made that information available through its website at www.citytransport.org.uk .

Friday, March 3, 2006