Transport for London (TfL) will introduce a next generation of its iBus system after awarding a 10-year, £160 million contract for the work to Init.
The supplier will replace on-vehicle hardware and back-office services for all buses and trams used on behalf of TfL, displacing an existing system that has been in use on buses in the capital for 17 years.
Among the benefits of next generation iBus will be new service control tools for operators. It will also integrate with current voice radio, payment and performance management systems, which TfL says will lead “to improved service reliability and information provision for customers.”
Also enhanced by the shift will be the reliability and accuracy of real-time information by including disruption and diversion information both aboard and off buses. That will be made available to customers via onboard information displays and audio-visual announcements, and through the TfL Go app.
Use of data from previous journeys on the day in question will leverage accuracy of arrival information provided by iBus, particularly at stops early on a bus’s route. The next generation of the platform will also enable TfL to provide better quality information to third-party apps for journey planning.
Other benefits for operators will include an ability to change iBus equipment themselves. That will reduce downtime when repairs are needed, TfL claims. The technology will also issue hazard warnings to drivers when tight turns or narrow roads are encountered.
TfL Director of Information Technology Rebecca Bissell says the authority is “very pleased” to have awarded the contract for the next generation iBus to Init.
She adds that the solutions put forward by the supplier will help TfL to build on existing success with the platform “as we continue to enhance the safety and reliability of our service through improved real-time information for our operators and customers.”
Init Managing Director Jens Mullak notes that the new iBus system will have “a modular open technology platform that is scalable and [which] accommodates TfL’s future development ambitions.” Init already works with over 1,100 public transport organisations globally.
TfL says that for the past year, it has been engaging in work complementary to iBus by the installation of 300 additional stop-mounted ‘countdown’ displays across the capital, taking the total to almost 3,000 spread across London’s 19,000 bus stops.
