Bus operators face operational challenges that require quick, informed decision-making to maintain smooth service.
As Jason Hackett, General Manager for Scotland West at McGill’s Bus Service, puts it, “Bus operations are very stretched so there is not much flexibility when it comes to allocating drivers. An integrated system could tell us instantly which drivers would be the most cost-effective option for a duty.”
This article explores how an integrated system can address on-the-day operational issues, enabling control room teams to make faster, more informed decisions that improve service efficiency and reduce disruptions.
Overcoming daily operational challenges
Control room teams need to be able to respond to issues as early in the day as possible so they can stop problems before they escalate. For example, a driver unexpectedly absent due to illness needs to be replaced quickly to ensure the service runs smoothly for passengers.
This involves knowing exactly what the options are so controllers can make informed decisions. But it is difficult to plan effectively and manage changing conditions when it involves checking different applications on multiple screens. With a consolidated view of all the relevant systems, controllers are much better placed to choose the best course of action for the day ahead.
For example, if controllers have all the key data on their drivers in one place such as route and vehicle knowledge, training levels and paygrade, they can quickly find a replacement who is not only eligible to drive a route, but also the most cost-effective choice for the job.
Streamlining operations with integrated systems
An integrated control room system also makes it easier to manage the knock-on effect a delay might have later in the day. For instance, data from the automatic vehicle location (AVL) system will reveal if a bus is starting to run late; integrating that with a driver allocation system will show whether the driver is likely to exceed their driving hours as a result. The controller could then identify a solution, such as a replacement driver, and contact them directly through an app linked to the system.
“If one of the main roads is suddenly closed it can affect a lot of our services because they overlap quite a bit. If my control team had a visual of all the services and route lines affected by the closure they could go into the system and cancel them straight away on the screen.”
Kurt Cappello, Operations Manager, trentbarton
Also, when data is presented through a user-friendly visual interface, it is easier for controllers to see what their options are as early as possible and to plan ahead. Instead of scrolling through the rota on one spreadsheet, and matching it with fleet vehicle availability on another, controllers could see all their available resources together on one screen. A unified view of key operational data allows controllers to make decisions early and prevent delays and disruptions from happening.
Transforming operations with a unified control room platform
Our ebook explores the concept of a single control room platform which brings systems together onto one screen, providing the insight to run a reliable, efficient and profitable bus operation.
A single control room platform would allow controllers to see operational challenges as they arise and take pre-emptive action before they cause delays, keeping the buses on the road and getting passengers to their destination on time.
Better visibility of vehicle and driver information would enable improved on-the-spot decisions, so routes can be re-allocated quickly with a clear understanding of the cost and the impact of those real-time decisions. By bringing together data from multiple systems, operators will have the vision they need to learn from the past in order to shape a sustainable, profitable bus service for the future.
