The Passenger Information Displays (PIDs) on the newest trains on Perth's rail network, the Transperth C series, has some very small, spartan and text only displays for a train introduced in 2024.

This greatly limits the useful information which can be communicated to the passengers, leading to a less convenient, more confusing, and harder to navigate public transport network. 

On the other hand, the displays on board Melbourne's X'trapolis 2.0, a train belonging to the same family, and from the same company as the Transperth C-Series, will have much more sophisticated displays that puts the C Series to shame, despite being from the same family of trains. The older High Capacity Metro Trains trains from Melbourne have similar displays.

The displays on the X'trapolis 2.0 not only feature a dynamic route map which shows the full line, all upcoming stations; it also tracks the position of the train in real time between the stations, shows other specific connecting train lines and at the station, and the current time. It also utilises a door graphic to indicate which side they open, as opposed to the basic arrow on the C Series.

The displays on another Australian rail system, the Sydney Metro, also shows the travel time to each of the upcoming stations, as well as connecting tram services too

In addition to the aforementioned information, Japanese and Chinese Metro Systems show station diagrams with the location of the lifts, stairs and escalators, as well as the toilets, and most importantly of all: the exits. They also show the location of each train car at the platform, while also highlighting the car you're in. 

In light of this, it is clear why Advanced PIDs - like those in Sydney, Melbourne, Japan, China and even in most of Europe - are superior to the text only displays in Perth, and vital to Perth's Transperth Trains network.

They can communicate more information in a clearer manner than text-only displays, which means they are also able to display more connecting bus, tram, train and ferry routes than can be done with the latter. They allow passengers to position themselves closer to the escalators, lifts and stairs for faster exiting and faster passenger flow throughout the station; and allow passengers to keep track of the time

All in all, this means that Advanced PIDs make it easier and less confusing to navigate Perth's train stations and its broader public transport network, improving passenger convenience for residents and tourists alike.

In light of this, it is outrageous and absolutely unacceptable that the C-Series - a train introduced in 2024 - has displays so basic, so barebones that they can only show text information; especially when the same manufacturer can make the same family of trains fitted with Advanced PIDs for another major Australian city with no issues. A train built for 2024 should not have the same displays as one built for 2004; and contemporary rail networks in and outside of Australia show that an alternative is perfectly viable.

In light of this, it is imperative that the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia starts looking into installing Advanced PIDs onto the C Series trains as soon as possible.