TransLink will spend $5 million on a Canadian public transport software package over the next five years
By David Goeldner | July 15, 2010
South-east Queensland’s TransLink network is investing $5million in automated timetabling, replacing a mix of manual and semi-automated scheduling systems.
Bus, train and ferry services in regional and south-east Queensland will now be under one information and planning system across related government agencies.
The $5million price tag includes software licences, installation, maintenance, support and predicted network expansion across TransLink and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
TransLink CEO Peter Strachan says a range of information is entered into the HASTUS system, such as bus stop locations and information, depot locations, run and stopping patterns and current running times.
Strachan expects the software, provided by Canadian company GIRO, will recoup its cost through more efficient transport scheduling, operations and planning.
The GIRO deal provides software and support for the next five years.
“This software will help put transport on the best routes and corridors,” Strachan says.
“It will maximise bus running and allow timetables and schedules to be produced more simply.”
Private operators servicing TransLink contracts in southern regional Queensland will also be included in the HASTUS system.
Strachan says TransLink will continue to monitor a range of benchmarks including customer feedback and on-time running reliability to gauge the system’s success.
He says customers can expect more reliable services and more accurate timetables.
“HASTUS is all about operational efficiency by making the best use of buses, labour and kilometres.”
Planners will also use feedback from other stakeholders including operators, drivers, and councils.
“The most powerful thing about HASTUS is its ability to analyse historic on-time and running performance data and from that optimise the network by highlighting the most efficient and integrated routes and schedules,” Strachan says.