ShuttleID launches budget schools Bus Open Data solution

ShuttleID, the school bus pass and ticketing platform, has partnered with Pinpointers Vehicle Tracking to launch a low cost system to help smaller bus and coach operators become compliant with Bus Open Data regulation.

The “Bus Open Data Package” is designed for operators who don’t have ETMs with Bus Open Data Service (BODS) compatible vehicle location feeds. The platform works by combining the vehicle tracking data with TransXChange timetable data uploaded by the operator, before transforming into a SIRI-VM format and publishing to BODS.

Launched in 2019, ShuttleID is a simple school bus pass and ticketing system enabling transport operators to sell, issue and scan tickets for their school services. Passengers scan their mobile or printed ticket whilst boarding, using low-cost, consumer-grade tablets.

After understanding that many registered home-to-school services would be expected to become compliant with Bus Open Data regulation, ShuttleID identified that smaller operators may struggle particularly with vehicle location data. Although the Department of Transport offered tools to help smaller operators submit route, timetable and fare data, there seemed to be no solution for submission of vehicle location data other than to purchase expensive ticketing machines.

 

With a leading ETM, this could cost an operator as much as £5,800 per vehicle in their first year. Instead this solution, which makes use of portable vehicle tracking devices, would cost just £160

 

ShuttleID director, Chris Bell, commented: “We quickly realised that many smaller operators would struggle to comply with the vehicle location data requirement. With a leading ETM, this could cost an operator as much as £5,800 per vehicle in their first year. Instead this solution, which makes use of portable vehicle tracking devices, would cost just £160.”

“We’re really pleased to get this solution to market before operators are required by law to publish AVL data on January 7th. Ben Murray and the rest of the team at BODS have been instrumental in helping this get across the line. We’re excited to offer this collaborative solution with a reliable partner like Pinpointers.”

Jon Pope, Sales Director at Pinpointers, added: “We are delighted to be working with ShuttleID to help solve this problem for operators of all sizes. Our aim was to create a low cost solution that is simple to implement and that is compliant with the new regulations. We recognise that many of those operators might have already invested in a tracking solution, and we are not looking to displace or replace that, our portable plug and play tracking devices simply work alongside their existing system. However operators with or without a tracking system will be able to access all of the features of the entry-level Pinpointers Go platform, which is included at no extra cost with the BODS compliant package.”

The system is available at £10 per month per tracking device with an activation fee of £40. Operators wishing to learn more about the system can visit www.shuttleid.uk/bods and register their interest.

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