A brief news
update; Sullivan Buses, a small bus company based in Hertfordshire has won London Buses‘route W9’ and retains route
298 contracts.
From LOTS:
LBSL intends to enter into the following
contracts:
·
298
re-awarded to Sullivan Buses with existing 2012 Euro V diesel single deck plus
one additional vehicle, PVR 6. Start date 4 February 2017.
·
W9 awarded
to Sullivan Buses (currently Metroline) with new Euro VI diesel single deck,
PVR 7. Start date 4 February 2017.
Also, we
have some news via the latest TFL press release
Real-time traffic updates to be displayed on buses
The iconic London bus is now
helping to improve traffic in the Capital as TfL starts a trial of displaying
live traffic information on the back of buses. A number of buses on route 344
are displaying real-time traffic information using digital information boards in
a world first.
This innovative technology is
being trialled on buses between Clapham Junction and Liverpool Street to
provide London's drivers with a new source of information to help avoid
congestion and improve their journeys and the reliability and efficiency of the
roads.
The buses have been fitted with
electronic boards by Equitech IT Solutions, which use GPS technology to give
accurate and up-to-date traffic information. The information is taken from the
TfL Variable Message Sign network, which is fed by TfL's 24-hour traffic
control centre.
If successful, this could be
expanded across London.
Most iconic feature
Garrett Emmerson, TfL's Chief
Operating Officer for Surface Transport, said: 'This innovative use of one of
the Capital's most iconic features - the London bus - will help all road users.
'We're focused on keeping London
moving and on giving drivers real-time information through a range of channels
to help them avoid congested roads and reduce wasted time and needless
pollution from idling cars.'
This ground-breaking approach
will be used on a further bus route - route 415 between Tulse Hill and
Liverpool Street - in the autumn.
This follows the successful
trial of live traffic information displayed on taxi advertising boards by
Brightmove Media Limited, which proved the concept of real-time traffic
information delivered in this form.
Keep traffic moving
Craig Holloway, Chief Executive
of Equitech IT Solutions, said: 'We are delighted to be partnering with TfL to
trial this new technology.
'We know how beneficial having
real-time traffic information can be for road users, and the technology we have
developed will hopefully make life for Londoners easier by having up-to-date
information provided to them when travelling on the Capital's roads.'
Tony Wilson, Managing Director
of Abellio London, said: 'At Abellio we aim to take travel 'beyond a-to-b' and
believe that this innovation can help achieve that goal. Initiatives which help
keep traffic moving will also help those travelling by bus.'
TfL is constantly monitoring and
analysing the road network to find ways to improve its reliability. This latest
initiative supports other measures such as the use of intelligent traffic
signals - Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique - which reduce delays by up
to 12%
In other news, Route 253 is converting to the 3 door 2 staircase
hybrid buses known as the New
Routemaster. The date for conversion is unknown as the deliveries of the
New Routemasters commenced again from LT813 onwards and they will be delivered
to Stamford Hill (SF) garage.
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