Real time information system expansion

The Highland Council has awarded a contract to deliver a substantial expansion to its existing real time information system.

The expanded system will span bus routes across Inverness and the Moray Firth area.  It will provide up to the minute arrival information at key bus stops, with more than 500 stops information available via a website and through SMS texting options allowing passengers to access the public transport information wherever, whenever, and however they need it. 

The system, provided by ACIS, is aimed at bringing benefits to public transport users in the Highlands and driving increased usage across the public transport network.  Bus operators will also benefit from the real time fleet management functionality of the  ACIS BusNet system.

The system for The Highland Council uses the ACIS portfolio of solutions which currently track more than 8,000 vehicles and manage data for more than 55,000 information points in some 40 real-time systems across Scotland, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East North, America, and Australasia.

ACIS will deliver its BusNet system comprising on-vehicle technology, server and communications infrastructure, information displays and Web and SMS services with local partners. Intelligent fleet management and performance reporting will be provided to Highland’s bus operators who will be important partners in the project and who will use these powerful tools to drive efficiency and service improvements.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of Transport, Environmental and Community Services at The Highland Council said: “We look forward to working with ACIS to deliver this expansion in real-time information across Inverness and the surrounding area. This type of information should build confidence in the use of public transport and encourage more people to leave their cars at home and take the bus.  It is hoped that it will be fully operational by March 2010.”