As cities expand and mobility demands grow more complex, the bus and coach industry faces a critical decision: evolve or be left behind.
Public transport systems around the world are racing towards electrification and digitalisation, with one particular company quietly powering much of the shift behind the scenes.
Consat Telematics is known worldwide for its intelligent public transport systems. With cutting-edge telematics technology, real-time data intelligence and a deep understanding of mobility ecosystems, the company has played a large part in transforming how cities move.
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“When Consat started building digital solutions for buses in 1989, few people were thinking about data-driven transit,” Consat product manager Adam Armstrong told ABC.
“Fast forward to today, and the company supports over 34,000 vehicles globally – including more than 2,500 electric buses, a number that’s rising fast.”
Over the past three decades, Consat has remained at the forefront of the electric movement, mainly through its deep involvement in Norway and Sweden’s transportation landscape – two countries that are recognised as global leaders in electric mobility.
As these countries have spearheaded the shift toward electric buses, Consat’s technology has played a critical role in ensuring smooth operations.
The company’s advanced telematics solutions provides operators with real-time insights into battery performance, charging cycles and route efficiency. This vital data has enabled transport providers to maximise uptime and reliability.
“We were there from the start, working side-by-side with operators and agencies as they figured out how to run electric buses day to day,” Armstrong says.
“We have since spent years testing out the technology, upgrading it and perfecting it, completely redefining how fleets operate.”
Beyond Norway and Sweden, Consat has expanded its expertise across Europe, North America and beyond, supporting a variety of transport authorities and private operators in their electrification efforts.
The company’s solutions are now integral to electric bus fleets in cities worldwide, optimising energy consumption, reducing emissions and helping operators overcome the challenges of transitioning from diesel to electric vehicles.
“Now, as we expand across the likes of Canada and Australia, we already have the expertise and technology ready to go. All we have to do is implement it,” Armstrong says.
Consat’s presence in Australia began in 2017, with the solutions provider now having a customer base that includes Ventura Bus Lines, Transport for NSW and Transport for Brisbane.
One of the company’s most successful products is the Consat Vehicle Computer (CVC01), an advanced vehicle communication gateway computer.
In the realm of electric buses, Consat’s telematics system offers comprehensive solutions designed to optimise vehicle performance and energy consumption. One of the key features is the ability to manage and schedule charging processes effectively.
By analysing bus schedules and operational requirements, the system prioritises charging for specific vehicles, ensuring they are fully charged and ready for service at the required times. This strategic approach helps in balancing loads and reducing costly charging peaks.
“Battery management is one of the biggest wins for operators,” Armstrong says.
“As more and more operators bring electric vehicles into their fleets, it’s imperative that they are managing their operating costs and keeping up to date with maintenance. This system helps them achieve this with ease.”
Another significant aspect of Consat’s system is climate control management through pre-conditioning. In regions with high ambient temperatures, such as Queensland, the system can activate the bus’s air conditioning while the vehicle is still connected to the charger. This pre-cooling ensures that the bus maintains a comfortable temperature from the start of its route without depleting the battery’s energy reserves during transit.
Consat’s system also extends to its driver console, offering coaching tools that promote efficient and sustainable driving practices.
By collecting and analysing data on driving patterns, the system provides feedback to drivers in real-time and end of trip, encouraging behaviours that enhance energy efficiency and passenger comfort. This feature not only improves operational performance but also contributes to the longevity of the vehicle’s components.
“One of our other big focus areas outside of electromobility is driver assistance,” Armstrong says.
“Driver coaching is a big thing. How they need to drive an electric bus is quite different to a diesel bus, with a unique set of rules and requirements for each.
“Not only can this technology help manage behaviours that could affect the usability of the buses, but it also helps with recruiting and maintaining drivers.
“When a new driver joins a company, one of our first thoughts is what assistance can we give them? How can we make this transition easier for them?”
By addressing both common and complex navigational challenges, the system empowers bus operators and drivers to deliver safer and more reliable bus journeys for commuters.
Specifically designed to meet the requirements of bus operators, the purpose-built system takes into account bus dimensions like length and height, allowing operators to input and update routes in real time. This ensures adaptability to changes in road rules, routes and restrictions, minimising wrong turns and route deviations.
One of the biggest challenges Consat faces is integration with different vehicle types and brands, particularly ensuring seamless compatibility across different markets.
“When you look at electric buses, each manufacturer has a different set of requirements and is built differently,” Armstrong says.
“While the base is usually similar, constant changes to regulations and upgrades means we have to be on top of our game to ensure our products can be compatible.
“So, in order to achieve this, we work locally with Australian bus manufacturers and international chassis and body makers to ensure we are in the know and can adapt our solutions.”
While the technology often gets the spotlight, Armstrong says the people behind the scenes are the true stars, calling Consat a “knowledge company”.
“There’s a number of people on our team that have been there since the beginning of Consat, who have a very good understanding of our product and the industry,” he says.
“The company has its finger on the pulse and works with a mentality that public transport matters. We’re helping cities and communities move smarter, cleaner and better.
“When it comes down to it, operators know that we deliver on what we promise.”
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