Substantial interest in real time information tender

Eighteen national and international companies have completed tender participation forms for the development and implementation of a real time passenger information system for buses and trains in the Wellington region.

Greater Wellington Regional Council will evaluate proposals after tenders close on 20 March and hopes to have a contract signed in July.

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Transport and Access Committee, says the keen interest shown in the tender is highly encouraging. “I know the project team are looking forward to seeing some high quality, competitive and innovative proposals from a range of suppliers.

“I’m confident this process will lead on to a modern real time system for bus and train passengers throughout the region. We know, from research and experience elsewhere in New Zealand and overseas, that real time information gives people much more confidence in public transport. It really helps to know when your next bus or train will actually arrive.”

Greater Wellington’s real-time passenger information system will provide reliable arrival time information initially for bus services in Wellington city but will be progressively extended to other centres, to major interchanges and then to train services too.

Arrival time information, for all bus stops and train stations throughout theWellington region, will be available at on-street displays at the busiest locations, as well as through the Metlink website and via SMS text.

Cr Glensor said a pilot of the system, on a specific bus route, would be run before the end of the year and initial roll-out would begin about May 2010.