Tender awarded for bus tracking system

A high-tech system which allows public transport users to track the real-time movements of their bus - and know when it is due to arrive at their bus stop - will be rolled out across the Transperth fleet next year.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the Real Time Tracking System (RTTS) would allow passengers to track their bus on the Transperth website or app.

“You will be able to look at your smartphone or tablet, or your work PC and determine the exact location of your bus, rather than referring to a timetable,” Mr Nalder said.

Transperth has trialled similar technology in 130 buses from the Karrinyup depot for some time. The next stage will see the roll-out of the technology to the entire fleet.  A contract for this work has been awarded to Downer EDI Engineering Power.

The Public Transport Authority worked with Downer in the successful roll-out of Transperth’s SmartRider ticketing system.

“This is widely viewed across industry as the best cashless ticketing system in the country.  So we are building on that success,” the Minister said.

Mr Nalder said the fully-integrated technology would allow Transperth to look at innovative ways to improve on-time running. 

“Already Transperth has been sharing the information gathered during the trial with Main Roads and testing signal priority for buses running behind schedule,” he said.

The live-tracking system will feed into electronic signage at the new Perth Busport, similar to an airport-style departure gate system.  Buses will be monitored as they approach the busport. Each bus will then be allocated a stand within the Perth Busport and this information is communicated to passengers in the central waiting area.”