The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and technology firm NCS began a trial of solar-powered colour electronic paper (e-paper) bus arrival information displays at a bus stop outside Little India MRT station in April 2026. The trial will run until October 2026 and tests advancements in e-paper technology and low-power solar and battery systems designed to keep the displays operating 24/7 [1, 2, 3].
This follows an earlier 2016 trial where e-paper bus displays were found to fade under strong sunlight, leading to reliability issues [1, 2, 3]. The new displays are designed to mimic ink on paper, making them easier to read in bright sunlight and more environmentally friendly compared with traditional LED bus information boards, according to sources s1 and s2. However, source s3 noted that the current e-paper displays are smaller, have duller colours, and reflect surrounding images, which can make the information harder to read compared to LED screens.
The Land Transport Authority has not disclosed if other bus stops beyond Little India are involved in this trial [1, 2, 3]. NCS, the manufacturer of the e-paper displays, declined to reveal cost comparisons with existing LED boards when questioned [3]. Commuters using the trial displays can provide feedback via a QR code shown on the e-paper panel [1, 2, 3].
The trial aims to assess the practicality of solar-powered e-paper displays in daily use, learning from past issues and evaluating their visibility, reliability, energy efficiency, and commuter acceptance. The authorities plan to conclude and review the trial results in October 2026 [1, 2, 3].