EBS – Netherlands

EBS, Netherlands

A new standard for real‑time information at the stop

EBS is one of the most modern public transport operators in the Netherlands, recognized for its customer‑centric operations and innovation in passenger information. As the company took on new concessions in Zaanstreek‑Waterland as “MeerPlus”, a familiar challenge surfaced: how to give every passenger the same, dependable access to real‑time departures, even at small neighborhood stops with no existing power infrastructure.

From requirement to reality

The brief was ambitious but clear. Information had to be accurate, legible in all conditions and inclusive for travellers with visual impairments. The deployment also had to be fast and with minimal impact on traffic, avoiding long civil works and grid connections so that hundreds of stops could be equipped within tight timelines.

EBS chose Axentia’s battery‑powered e‑paper displays to meet these goals. The technology provides sharp readability on a connected screen, designed for multi-year battery life. A tactile push‑button activates text‑to‑speech, giving an audio read‑out of the next departures and service messages, an important step toward inclusive public transport. The displays were specifically designed for “M-Net” bus stops.

Rollout across regions

Zaanstreek‑Waterland became the first area in the Netherlands to adopt this solution at scale. EBS has equipped hundreds of stops with dynamic 13 inch e‑paper displays, introducing consistent real‑time information in places where digital signage had not previously been possible.

The rollout was planned in sections to minimize operational impact. Axentia handled site surveys, mounting, commissioning, and QA, from pilot through full coverage. In parallel, monitoring and remote maintenance were set up so exceptions could be detected and resolved proactively. For EBS, this created a smooth project flow with one accountable partner for delivery and lifecycle.

A Lifecycle Partnership

The collaboration goes beyond delivery. Axentia provides continuous monitoring, preventive maintenance, battery replacement, and repairs when needed. This keeps availability high over time and frees EBS to focus on operations and customer service.

Impact

The project has transformed the experience at the stop: passengers now meet the same, calm interface at urban hubs and local stops alike, with reliable real‑time departures and clear service messages. Accessibility is built‑in through audio read‑out, and the low‑power e‑paper platform enables sustainable deployments at sites without grid power.

What’s next

As new areas join the network, the focus remains the same: consistent, high‑quality real‑time information across concessions, delivered in a way that is fast to deploy, inclusive by design and straightforward to operate over time.