Transport technology case study: Transport Connected Bus Program

^{Mobile Phone displaying Trip Planner app. Image: Transport for NSW}

Introduction

A program to deliver real-time trip information for rural and regional bus passengers is improving equitable access to public transport in NSW. 

Challenge

Real time trip information is a valuable tool for public transport users. It allows passengers to make more informed travel choices by accessing live information on bus location, interactive maps, service updates and passenger load.  
  
This information is available via many websites and apps, such as Transport’s Trip Planner, and covers both regular and school services. It means that families can track a service so they know when to meet a bus to collect a child or elderly relative.  
  
This technology is already widely available for public transport users in city and metropolitan areas. However, it is vital that rural and regional users have access to the same information, notwithstanding the sometimes patchy connectivity in these areas.  

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Commuter using mobile phone at bus stop.

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Solution

Transport is investing in upgrades and improvements that allow bus passengers in rural and regional areas to benefit from the same technologies as passengers in metropolitan areas.  
  
The Transport Connected Bus Program (TCB) is rolling out state-of-the art GPS vehicle tracking devices and automatic passenger counting technology to Transport for NSW’s contracted buses across the State.  
  
The program also provides regional bus operators with accurate data and tools to connect with their customers, helping streamline their operations and keep buses running on time. The data collected assists Transport to plan for future improvements to services, identifying trips with a pattern of issues such as unreliability or high passenger load.

Expected outcomes

Over 1,200 rural and regional buses now have the TCB technology and the latest phase of the rollout will see a further 1,800 buses equipped by the end of 2025. Soon bus passengers across the Hunter and Lower North Coast, North Coast, New England North West, Central West and Orana, Far West, Riverina Murray, Southern Tablelands and Ulladulla and South East and Tablelands will have access to real time bus tracking. Since July 2020, more than 1.5 million trips have been tracked across the state. 

Related information

Transport technology case studies