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Introducing a next generation architecture for smarter bus transport
There’s a digital transformation underway in the bus industry – and it has the potential to transform both operator productivity and the passenger experience.
Information Technology for Public Transport – ITxPT – is an architecture that uses common communication protocols to create an interoperable environment that enables the integration of multiple digital systems used in public transport. It has been developed collaboratively by a not-for-profit association of transport authorities, operators and suppliers, and in effect creates the digital rulebook for the development and deployment of a cohesive onboard IT platform.
It is particularly relevant to today’s UK bus industry because it enables operators to adopt a more flexible, disaggregated approach to investment in on-vehicle systems.
ITxPT helps address one of the bus industry’s biggest challenges by establishing a standardised plug-and-play architecture for on-bus applications, allowing disaggregated systems, such as ticketing & payments, CCTV, telematics, employee management software and fleet management to communicate seamlessly through common protocols and interfaces.
The architecture provides a centralised data hub and shared on-vehicle IP network, which connects ITxPT compliant devices and delivers improved vehicle-to-back-office communication via wireless connectivity.
A single ITxPT-compliant system can handle tasks that previously required multiple and separate hardware and software solutions. This not only lowers installation and maintenance costs for operators but also simplifies day-to-day operations.
Flowbird ITxPT Innovation
Flowbird is responding to this new digital environment with a modular, ITxPT compliant suite of on bus devices and software linked via a data hub to a multi-application driver terminal (MADT).
In a typical bus set-up, the new Flowbird Nexio tablet driver console provides the onboard MADT interface, enabling the driver to access the entire ITxPT solution through a large icons display screen showing the ticketing retail interface, maintenance menu, and other MADT applications, such as AVL and CCTV.
The Flowbird ITxPT solution also includes options for a printer and multi-token validator with colour passenger interactive touchscreen supporting NFC for cEMV and ITSO, along with barcode ticketing and Bluetooth.
The hardware co-exists with Flowbird’s ticketing applications and certified open payments solution, while the CloudFare back office provides a modular architecture for Account Based Ticketing, Fares & Topology, Estate Management, Events, Alerts and Reports.
“This technology suite provides a modular platform that enables bus operators to design their onboard systems to meet their specific business requirements, offering greater flexibility without the risk of stranded assets in the future,” said Nabeel Alibhai, Flowbird Business Development Director.
“Through ITxPT, it is now possible to tailor a comprehensive disaggregated system optimised to run core functions, such as ticketing and payments, and incorporate multiple containerised third party applications via our MADT console with Single Sign On. This makes investment in future hardware upgrades more cost-effective with greater efficiency because the core ITxPT network is designed to be fully aligned with a standardised digital pathway, along with offering users a single interface accessing multiple applications.”
Flowbird’s Nexio MADT enables drivers to toggle between the different apps, with some depending on the vehicle’s status. For example, when a bus arrives within the perimeter of a stop the ticketing app will be live. When the bus leaves the stop, the console will automatically display navigation.
ITxPT – better for operators and passengers
Post-pandemic, operators continue to work hard to increase passenger numbers, and in this context ITxPT provides numerous levers to improve the customer experience by promoting efficiency, accessibility, and convenience.
For example, because ITxPT enables real-time data sharing between systems, this helps serve passengers with accurate and timely information through real-time updates on bus arrivals, departures and delays at bus stops or via mobile apps. It can also help operators expand the range of services they offer, whether that’s real-time seat availability, route planning, or customer focused notifications about schedule changes.
This data accuracy and simplicity of access will likely encourage greater use of buses and reduce reliance on private transport. It will also help deliver a more holistic insights into bus operations, potentially leading to better decision-making in areas such as product and route management, scheduling, maintenance and resource allocation.
“ITxPT embodies bus operators’ growing preference for flexibility when sourcing onboard retailing and operational solutions. Flowbird’s fully disaggregated modular onboard system delivers exactly that, a future-ready offering built on modern architecture and robust hardware. This solution is designed to meet the evolving needs of the market, ensuring reliability and adaptability for over a decade,” says Nabeel. “
“The net result of taking this disaggregated approach should be enhanced productivity for bus operators and a more customer-centric experience for passengers.”
