Cubic Transportation

Cubic Transportation Systems’ new NextBus real-time passenger information system has been officially launched across the TransLink public transport system in south-east Queensland, Australia.

Launched by the deputy premier and Queensland transport minister Jackie Trad, the new NextBus system is now live on thousands of bus and ferry services across Queensland.

Commuters in Queensland can accurately track their bus and ferry services in real time through Passenger Information Displays and on their mobile devices including smartphones, tablets or computers, taking the guesswork out of riding public transport.

The rollout of the system across the TransLink system follows last year’s trial on the Sunbus bus network on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Transit Australia Group (TAG) owns Sunbus and is one of Australia’s largest privately owned transport operators.

"It’s clear that the rollout has been a success and that drivers and customers alike have embraced the system."

TAG chief operating officer Jim Perry said: "It’s clear that the rollout has been a success and that drivers and customers alike have embraced the system.

"The real-time access to data, and the ability to see each and every vehicle on our networks at any given time, has allowed a closer and more efficient relationship to develop between management, operations control, and drivers, and ultimately, to enhance the customer experience."

The company had replaced more than 2,500 driver console units with new devices on buses run by 19 transport operators.

In order to track the exact location and movements of services, the new driver console units use GPS combined with mobile communications on each vehicle.

Cubic Transportation Systems Australasian managing director Tom Walker said: "This first deployment of the NextBus system outside of North America is a major landmark for the company, expanding Cubic’s services and capacities in the region."

The company had designed, delivered and has managed TransLink’s go card fare collection operations since the system’s rollout was completed in 2008.

Image: Queensland commuters track bus and ferry services in real-time on their tablets. Photo: courtesy of Cubic.