Commuters, students, and families in Tamworth are now able to track the arrival of local bus services in real time with the installation of new technology.
Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said under a NSW Government initiative to improve regional public transport, customers will be able to view real-time information about where the bus is, its predicted arrival time, and how full it is.
“More than 75 buses in Tamworth have been fitted with vehicle tracking and automatic passenger counting technology and now customers can access real-time trip information and digital timetables via Transport for NSW’s Trip Planner as well as a range of other transport apps,” Mr Anderson said.
“Parents and carers can use the data to track the arrival of school buses, and customers will be able to reduce the time spent waiting at a bus stop.
“Five local bus operators including Tamworth Buslines, Hannafords Coaches, Macphersons Tamworth, Mason Buses and BusBiz have helped to roll out the technology across 10 regular routes and 102 school routes throughout Tamworth as well as 4 special event routes for the Country Music Festival.”
Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the Transport Connected Bus Program is ensuring a smoother journey for customers by using real-time information and digital timetables.
“Thanks to the installation of this new technology passengers can access the most up to date trip information and view digital timetables, routes and stop information via Transport for NSW’s Trip Planner as well as a range of other transport apps available,” Mr Farraway said.
“This is a big win for regional areas and it will change the way customers use buses to travel to key locations in their communities including shops, health services and schools.
“The Program has already been rolled out across the state in Armidale, Bathurst, Bega, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Forbes/Parkes, Grafton, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Tweed Heads, Wagga Wagga and now Tamworth residents will be able to enjoy the same benefits.”
The data collected from the program will also assist bus operators and Transport for NSW in planning for future improvements to services.
To learn more, use the Transport for NSW Trip Planner tool at transportnsw.info/trip or choose from a range of other transport apps available at transportnsw.info/apps.
