Route Robin is an Audio-Visual Route System
Working in partnership with the Department for Transport and UK Research and Innovation,
we have developed a modular audio-visual solution to make any bus or coach accessible and compliant.
We specialise in helping operators become PSVAIR compliant for rail replacement, but our solution is suitable for any bus or coach operator.
All Route Robin Equipment is PSVAIR Grant Eligible
All of our equipment is eligible for "Transferable A-V Equipment on Rail Replacement Coaches" grant funding from the UK Government, entitling you to reclaim £2,000 per vehicle. After you've placed your order, we provide you with a full reclaim pack to prepare your grant claim in under five minutes.
DfT have confirmed that all purchases made on or after 9th June will be eligible for grant funding. The DfT grant pot is £1.85 million, so you are encouraged to order as early as possible.
Demo: Route Robin Rapid Install
- 30-second one-person install
- Fully self-contained, no wiring or vehicle modifications required
- Route Robin Rapid fixes to the first row window, usually behind the driver
- Integrates with your PA over Bluetooth
- Integrates with other audio systems using auxiliary input
- Integrates with existing induction loop or we can provide you with a Portable Induction Loop
- Uses industrial suction cup rated to over 250kg
- Secure enclosure ensures passengers can't tamper with device
- Display arm carefully designed so it can't be used to lever device from window by nuisance-causing passengers
- Touchscreen enables simple programming
- Mobile app (see below) enables remote programming
- Program remotely with £9.99 / month / device subscription, or connect to Wi-Fi to download latest routes and program using touchscreen
Demo: Remote Route Programming
- Web App available for desktop and mobile devices
- Only authorised users able to program a Route Robin (authorised by mobile number)
- Easily invite other users - operations team, drivers etc
- Uses Google Maps to precisely locate train stations
- Uses NaPTAN to locate rail replacement bus stops around those stations
- App enables manual tweaking of GPS locations
- Inner and outer announcement boundaries are set by default but easily altered by you
- Route libraries make routes easy to store and find
- Select routes you've previously programmed, routes shared by TOCs, aggregators or other companies
- Easily import routes from common route format files
- Multiple routes can be queued and the driver uses the touchscreen to select the next pre-programmed route
Demo: Driver Route Programming
This demo shows how the Route Robin can be programmed at short notice. The device is pre-loaded with thousands of rail replacement routes and knows the vehicle's current location. It suggests the routes you might want to start from that location. This is especially useful for standby work.
Compliance Guaranteed
Our technology has been successfully demonstrated to DfT, Rail Delivery Group, Transport UK, Road Haulage Association, Confederation of Passenger Transport, Transport Focus, and dozens more aggregators and operators.
It is compliant. Guaranteed.
Click to see our Route Robin Rapid running live on a rail replacement compliance trial with stakeholders.
We would strongly recommend asking any other supplier of PSVAIR equipment if you can see a live journey and to ask for assurances that the journey was compliant.
Everything we've been asked so far
Can I trial a unit before I buy?
Sorry, but we can't offer individual operator trials. We're focusing on manufacturing and delivering the devices ordered by customers before the deadline. Route Robin has been trialled on live journeys attended by the Department for Transport, Rail Delivery Group and some of the biggest train and coach operators in the country.
Can you send me an invoice first?
We know that many operators have finance and procurement teams that need an invoice before any payment can be made. Using this page, you can request an invoice by placing your order. You'll then be presented with a payment option to "Request an Invoice." Invoices need to be paid within 7 days to lock in your place in the production queue.
Can passengers break it?
We've spent a lot of time designing the Route Robin so that it is suitable for its environment. The window mount, touchscreen, power and associated switches are all in a locked enclosure. We recognise that passengers and drivers can sometimes be rough with devices like this and some passengers might deliberately try to cause nuisance. It's designed to withstand this type of use and keep working, journey after journey.
Can passengers pull it down?
A determined passenger intent on damaging the unit could damage it. Our priority is to ensure that they can't damage your vehicle by hanging off the unit or attempting to lever it off the glass. The display arm will deliberately hinge in if it detects someone is hanging from it. The window mount is designed to fail, and be easily replaced, before there is any risk to the integrity of your vehicle's window, glass, frame or seal.
Will Route Robin Rapid fall off my window?
No. It uses an industrial suction cup that is rated to hold over 250kg of weight. The suction cup is a powered device that automatically maintains suction by expelling any air that enters the vacuum chamber.
Can batteries be easily swapped?
Yes, the Route Robin Rapid unit is designed so that batteries can easily be swapped in and out.
What are the rules for double deckers?
Both visual and audible information need to be available for 51% of passengers on each deck. This means a double decker requires two display solutions as a minimum, then an integrated PA. One induction loop on the lower deck is usually sufficient.
What are the rules for interdecks?
If you have a wheelchair bay on the lower section with the driver, the regulations dictate that visual and audio route and stop information must be provided to the wheelchair bay user. This means the lower section needs to be compliant. This could be achieved with Route Robin Rapid + Induction Loop if you don't already have one.
What if I have a rear-facing wheelchair bay?
You will need two displays.
How many passengers need to be able to see the display?
51% on each deck.
How do you meet audio compliance?
The audio part of the regulations is the most difficult to comply with, since it's impossible to be compliant with a single audio source. There are two parts to audio compliance: audible limits of 3 dB above ambient volume for 51% of passengers on each deck, and the induction loop requirement.
Our Route Robin Rapid unit connects best over Bluetooth. We can provide you with a range of options to connect a non-Bluetooth system: our PA integration kit includes an aux line out, Bluetooth to aux input and FM transmitter. Our portable induction loop fits with any Route Robin system and has a range of 2 metres.
Is induction loop installation required?
No, we can provide you with a portable induction loop that meets the regulations.
Is the display compliant?
Yes, comfortably beyond the requirement. It uses white on black, mixed case, sans-serif font that is over 22mm tall. In fact it's over three times the required height and can be seen from over 100 feet.
Does it announce stops when the vehicle's doors are open, as per regulations?
Yes, we detect when the vehicle reaches the programmed GPS point and dwells at the location. We then announce "this is <stop name>" on a regular basis until the vehicle moves on from that location.
How does it deal with route changes?
Routes can be updated using the touchscreen, or remotely using the web app.
Do drivers need to interact with it or use their phone to program it?
No, not at all. We recognise that drivers have enough on their plate and want to focus on driving. The route can be programmed remotely, the device can be installed before the route starts and the route will automatically progress as the vehicle runs its route. There's no need for the driver to use their phone, use the touchscreen, or keep any extra devices in the cab.
I only want to use it for rail replacement work, then take it down, store it in the depot and maybe move it to another vehicle for the next job. How will it cope with that?
That's exactly what our Route Robin Rapid unit is designed for. It's designed to be installed and removed easily.
I want to use this kit in my vehicle permanently and I don't want to worry about charging batteries. Is it designed for that?
Route Robin Rapid itself isn't designed for permanent installation, but the components inside it are. They can all be mounted and powered individually. You can build a custom solution that suits you.
How much does Route Robin Rapid weigh?
Well under 10kg.
What is the battery life?
Battery life is 18 hours on a single charge. Batteries can be swapped.
How long can it be mounted?
It can be mounted for 24 hours. After that, it will prompt for remounting.
Do you offer any other fixing options?
We are working on a seat mount but this is not currently available. You can also fix Route Robin components around your vehicle using brackets.
Is Route Robin equipment eligible for the Transferable A-V Equipment on Rail Replacement Coaches grant?
Yes. Route Robin equipment is eligible for the UK Government's Transferable A-V Equipment on Rail Replacement Coaches grant funding.
How much can I reclaim through the PSVAIR grant?
The current grant funding allows you to reclaim up to £2,000 per vehicle for eligible transferable audio-visual equipment.
Does the grant cap include VAT?
The grant is capped at £2k per vehicle excluding VAT. This means that if you bought a solution for £2,850 + VAT, you would pay £3,420 inc VAT. You would reclaim the £570 VAT from HMRC, the government would rebate £1,995 of the cost of the equipment, so in total you would have paid £855 for the equipment.
Is the £2k cap the most I can pay for PSVAIR equipment per vehicle, or the most I can reclaim?
It's the most you can reclaim.
Will Route Robin help with the grant claim?
Yes. Once you've placed your order, we provide a reclaim pack to help you prepare your grant claim in under five minutes.
What happens if my grant reclaim is refused?
If you place your order in June and complete your claim before the end of July, we'll guarantee your grant reclaim. If your grant reclaim is refused, you can return your product for a full refund no questions asked.
Can I claim for purchases made before the grant claim process opens?
Yes. DfT have confirmed that purchases made on or after 9th June 2026 are eligible, provided the equipment and claim meet the grant rules.
Do I need to buy the equipment before claiming?
Yes. The grant reimburses purchased equipment. Quotes are not enough on their own, so you will need proof of purchase for your claim.
Am I eligible if I have never operated rail replacement before?
Yes. Coach operators without recent rail replacement history can still apply, but their funding is tiered differently from operators who have supplied rail replacement services in the previous 12 months.
Does the equipment need to be transferable between vehicles?
Yes. The grant is specifically for transferable audio-visual equipment that can be moved between coaches used for rail replacement services.
Would permanently wired equipment qualify for the grant?
No. The grant excludes permanent refits and equipment that requires wiring into the vehicle.
Are Portable Induction Loops eligible on their own?
Portable Induction Loops are eligible when supplied as part of, or to support, a complete transferable system that generates compliant journey information. On their own, without equipment that generates the required information, they are unlikely to qualify.
Are displays eligible on their own?
Displays are eligible when they are supplied as part of, or to support, a complete transferable system that generates compliant journey information. A display on its own is unlikely to qualify unless it forms part of a compliant system.
Does the system need to generate AIR-compliant information itself?
Yes. The grant is intended for equipment that enables compliance with the Accessible Information Regulations, so the system needs to generate compliant route and stop information rather than simply acting as a passive screen or speaker.
How many vehicles can I claim for?
Operators without recent rail replacement history can claim 75% funding for up to 5 vehicles, then lower rates for additional vehicles. Operators with recent rail replacement history may qualify for 75% funding on their peak rail replacement vehicle requirement, or 5 vehicles, whichever is greater.
What documents will I need for the grant claim?
You should expect to provide proof of purchase, equipment details, operator and business details, and supporting information explaining how the equipment will be used for rail replacement services. We provide you with a reclaim pack to make all of this really simple.
Could the grant funding run out before the six-month window closes?
Yes. The scheme is open for six months or until the funding is depleted, so earlier claims are less likely to be affected by the overall funding cap. Order yours today to avoid missing out.
Can I claim for buses as well as coaches?
No. The scheme is for transferable audio-visual equipment on rail replacement coaches, not buses.
Our Promise To You
We have confidence in our hardware and software.
Hardware and Software Guaranteed
Your place in the production queue is locked in as soon as your order is placed. We offer a full money back guarantee if you are dissatisfied with our products within 30 days of taking delivery.