Improving PT planning, ticketing and fleet control systems

Summary

These measures aim to improve the public transport (PT) operation through integrated and innovative software solutions, more efficient equipment, and to test advanced information systems.

To achieve this, Horários do Funchal (HF) tested an integrated ticketing and fleet control system and a solution to support disabled passengers to safely board the bus. HF also acquired a scheduling optimisation software, five photovoltaic information panels and three PT product vending machines. In addition, HF worked on the development of a new website and mobile app.

Implementing sustainable mobility

Ticketing and the fleet control systems

HF carried out a pilot test that integrated the AVL (Automatic vehicle location) and ticketing system in one console in 15 buses. The integrated system simplifies the on-board operation, allows greater fleet availability, eases the maintenance and exploitation activities, and results in less critical and number of failures. Given the good results achieved, HF extend the pilot to another 42 buses. All the knowledge regarding the ticketing system collected with the development of this measure was used to implement the new ticketing system with the support of ERDF (SIB-RAM).

GIST3 System - Scheduling optimisation software for public transportation

Implementation of GIST3 system that produces new timetables, spider maps, and GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification) information. The GIST3 is the starting point to the operator to define the physical network and service (bus stops, bus lines, timetables), and then assign the drivers and the buses. Specific training was provided with the objective to plan more efficient networks.

HF website and mobile app

HF analysed and defined the requirements for the development of the website and the mobile app. However, due to several constrains and delays (solution complexity and integration with the new ticketing system), only in 2021 HF and SRETC started working together with the supplier to develop the new HF’s website, mobile app, and the mobility and tourism platform (MAD 2.1). The official launch of the solutions is planned to September 2021.

NextStop Mobile App – Solution for mobility impaired users

HF carried out a pilot test with a solution to provide disabled users with better information services, to use the PT. It is composed of 2 subsystems (at the bus stop and on board the bus) and a mobile app. The tests allowed HF to identify improvement opportunities for future solutions for disabled people but also to define more inclusive requirements for the new HF’s mobile app.

Informative photovoltaic panels and new public information monitors

The five on-street photovoltaic information panels are autonomous, provides real-time information about the schedules, and includes functionalities such as card reading and an incorporated speaker, for impaired users. Complementarily, HF acquired three new public information monitors to provide better information to the passengers, installed outdoors, indoors, and at a mixed location.

PT product vending machines

Acquired three vending machines to sell PT tickets but also informative products (maps, guides), to be strategically installed at the main Regional gateways, targeting tourists at their arrival. 1 vending machine was installed at the airport, the other two to be at the port and tourism point.

Outcomes

Improved reliability of the AVL system:

• Reduction of 43% on the average number of technical failures per month, from 1,6 (Jan. 2017 – Sept. 2018) to 0,87 (Oct. 2018 – Dec. 2019).
• Reduction of 93% on the average number of hours to solve the failure per month, from 462h (Jan. 2017 – Sept. 2018) to 30,4h (Oct. 2018 – Dec. 2019).

Improved reliability of the ticketing system:

• Reduction of 3% on the average nº of technical failures per month, from 6,1 (Jan. 2017 – Sept. 2018) to 5,9 (Oct. 2018 – Dec. 2019).
• Reduction of 61% on the average nº of hours to solve the failure per month, from 41,9h (Jan. 2017 – Sept. 2018) to 16,2h (Oct. 2018 – Dec. 2019).

Bus drivers satisfied with the new ticketing and AVL equipment  

• In 2021, the bus drivers rated the functionalities of new console with 4,67 compared to the previous system (1 – much worst, 5 – much better).