The city's plans to test-drive new electronic signs at certain bus stops and Handi-Van pickup points that would provide real-time information for riders is a smart move.

The signs, which would run on solar power, would let riders know when a bus is running late or when the next one is scheduled to arrive.

As Honolulu moves sensibly toward a multi-modal transit system — with rail, ferries, shuttles, buses and more — providing riders with accurate and up-to-the-minute information is a needed public service.

And the city is looking at not only providing information through the new signs, but also discussing ways for riders to get the same useful information on their cell phones and off the Web.

For now, the program will be tried at a handful of stops, with the project put out to bid this month. Among the places under consideration for the new signs are busy stops in the urban core and well-utilized Handi-Van locations. And the city has roughly 40 of the electronic signs on hand, should the pilot project prove successful.

With bus ridership through the roof, rail transit on the way and transit ridership in general rising dramatically nationwide, these innovative signs should prove to be a smart step in the right direction.