Transport for the North (TfN) has partnered with transit data experts, Ito World, to pioneer a ‘Disruption Messaging’ solution which will transform the quality and speed of information reaching passengers during times of disruption.
The new tool will allow local authorities and service operators to enter travel disruption information once, and seamlessly output consistent messages to customers via a multitude of channels including social media, real time displays and journey planners.
Travel disruption is a well-publicised source of frustration for passengers and can be made worse by inaccurate, inconsistent, or out-dated information leading to increased uncertainty on how to progress their journey.
Equally frustrating for authorities and service operators is the current challenge of having to update many different systems – often manually – with the same information. With rapidly changing situations, this can inevitably lead to the delays and inconsistencies that some passengers experience in information updates.
The new tool, due for release in early 2020, will enable authorities and service operators to quickly identify services affected by planned and unplanned disruption and recommend alternative travel arrangements.
Consistent data will then be made available via TfN’s ‘open data hub’ – also currently in development - and cascaded simultaneously to passengers across multiple channels.
Initially being trialled by 19 local authorities and respective service operators within the TfN region, the tool will be also become available across the UK. The open source data will also be available third-party app developers, providing further opportunity for innovation.
Barry White, Chief Executive at Transport for the North, said: “This is a further investment in the North’s public transport network and enables us to deliver improvements to the way passengers find out about and travel across the region. Wherever you are going, journeys on public transport should be simple and easy to plan for.
By providing quality, open and reliable data, the Fares Data Build Tool will help make getting from A to B an improved and more seamless experience.”
Johan Herrlin, CEO at Ito World, continued: “We are delighted to be working on this pioneering project with TfN, who have had the foresight to understand the power of unified and quality data. Disruptions are often exacerbated by inaccurate data and can cause huge stress across public transport network systems. Being able to address and circumnavigate these potential disruptions is crucial, not just to alleviate these stresses, but to aid the continued use and growth of public transport networks.
“More and more we are looking to shared mobility services as economic and environmentally sound alternatives to private car travel. However, we need easily accessible, accurate data if we are going to successfully navigate public transport systems – whether in rural or urban locations. Access to open data sources are a crucial piece of the data puzzle.”