Wednesday, January 28 2009
A pioneering scheme designed by transport planner JMP that uses technology to track buses and measure their punctuality has been launched in Dundee,
It is the first time in Scotland a Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnership between local councils and bus operators has been set up to help to make journeys more efficient.
The scheme will collect real time information on the time taken on four Dundee and Angus routes, which will then be used to look at where and how precious minutes can be shaved off journey times.
Since January 1 data on Routes 13, 14, 22 and 73 has been collected every 21 seconds, detailing where the vehicle is on its route and what it is doing.
Dundee City and Angus councils have teamed up with National Express Dundee and Stagecoach, with the financial support of the Scottish Government, to run the pilot which was given its formal launch in Dundee’s City Square on January 26.The partnership is committed to work together for five years to deliver reliability and punctuality improvements on the routes.
After six and 12 months the data will be analysed to identify any “choke” points or parts of a route that can be speeded up.
If the Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnership proves successful it is hoped that other councils and operators will take up the idea.
Leading figures in the industry including Scottish Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, and Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, Joan Aitken, were at the launch to witness the official partnership signing ceremony.