COMMUTERS in the Borders have environmentally friendly tickets to ride courtesy of 15 new solar-powered bus stops.

Real time passenger information for remote communities is now being delivered through 100 per cent renewable electricity.

Working in partnership with Journeo, the pioneering technology group, Scottish Borders Council recently installed sustainable bus stop displays.

They are said to cut associated emissions and power usage and drive down the cost of powering the infrastructure through the National Grid.

This latest equipment has been funded by Scotland’s Community Bus Fund and have been described as a “win-win” for the council and bus passengers.

The displays are part of the council’s longer term strategy to improve passenger services and experience in rural areas.

Dan Cathcart, localities’ transport officer with SBC said: “These innovative displays from Journeo have extremely low power and data requirements; they can be easily fitted to existing poles and they are quickly up and running.

‘We don’t have to close roads or fund road works to lay new power cables.

“But the big winners are our customers in rural communities where they will benefit from more consistent information about their bus services.”

Ted Beatson, group sales manager at Journeo, added:  “The most costly and time-consuming challenge for a local transport authority rolling out real time information is the need for power infrastructure to be in place.

“If it isn’t, it is extremely costly and disruptive to carry out the necessary works.

“Our e-paper displays are ideal in situations where complicated and costly works need to be avoided.

“Using our self-sustained units, which fit quickly to existing poles, need no direct power connection and are proven to work in the region, is a win-win for the council and the community.”