Business Benefits

• Improved timetable compliance
• Greater operational control
• Effectively manage service interruption
• Enhanced environmental performance
• Improved passenger service
• Reduced total cost of ownership
• Enhanced total value of ownership

Improved timetable compliance

On-time service is vital in retaining the provider contract and the confidence of the travelling public. With AVL combined with instant and interactive voice, dispatchers can manage larger fleets because of their improved ability to easily know where fleet vehicles are at all times. Planners can use data on actual running times and static times to justify changes that make schedules more realistic and effective. Feedback to dispatch, operators and supervisors helps to improve schedule adherence.

Greater operational control

Real-time data and voice communications enable providers to plan and manage their dynamic service in a complex environment. Funding constraints and other demands on public spending drive operators towards clearer accountability and progress against targets. An integrated radio solution can confirm performance on day-to-day level and enables better planning for future.  

Effectively manage service interruption

Real-time data transmissions allow the operator to quickly pinpoint routine problems and efficiently co-ordinate service recovery. Reliable voice / data networks owned by the operator also prove their worth during major incidents when third parties' networks can become quickly overwhelmed or disabled. Instant, interactive voice communications can relay the on-the-ground details which enable a flexible and co-ordinated response.

Enhanced environmental performance

In a congested stretch of town, bus priority lanes have had proven benefits. But in many towns such as Dublin, where the extra space for lanes is just not available, Traffic Signal Prioritisation (TSP) can save time, fuel and emissions.  Wireless-enabled TSP technology reduces engine idle time and pull-away emissions by allowing buses to maintain a steady speed. Just a 10 second per kilometre reduction can result in massive emission and passenger time savings. Industry studies show this reduces nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulates. Delays at signals are reduced, total travel times decreased and on-time arrival improved.

Improved passenger service

Providing realtime next-bus predictions to customers reduces uncertainty, customer anxiety and enhances perceived reliability. With passenger information based on Tait-fast polling rates:

• Visitors and tourists can make more informed decisions.
• Vulnerable groups, such as single parents, people with a disability and the elderly can count on the information they see.
• City dwellers and commuting professionals can change their travelling habits due to the punctuality and regularity of the service.

Reduced total cost of ownership

This factor has become more important over recent years, as organisations take a longer term view of their expenditure. Tait also takes a long term view, understanding that equipment is expected to last many years. Tait solutions help operators and integrators to protect their investment by offering:

• Mobiles and portable terminals which are reliable and easy to maintain
• Features that allow remote programming and monitoring
• Excellent technical support for all solution elements
• Robust system design and implementation

Enhanced total value of ownership

Tait recognises the value of operators being in control of their own, dedicated communications networks. Recent events around the world have shown how, in times of crisis, third party infrastructure is often overloaded or damaged beyond immediate repair. This can be the very time that transport operators are called upon to assist civil authorities or handle extraordinary demand.

The benefits of self-ownership are:

• Guaranteed access and coverage
• Predictable low ongoing costs
• Control during times of crisis
• Even if infrastructure is unavailable vehicle to vehicle communications is possible

See a list of high-profile Tait customers in the public transport sector.