Swansea Buses Fitted with Trackers

Trackers allow late buses in Swansea to make up time by telling traffic lights to turn green.

09:14 08 March 2018

Buses in Swansea are fitted with trackers that tell the traffic lights to turn green if the buses are running late. If they are running on time, the lights will operate in their usual sequence. The system, which is now being used in the city centre, is expected to be expanded to other key routes shortly.

 

Justin Davies, the managing director of First Cymru, which runs services in the city, said: "We have the ability to know exactly where our vehicles are minute by minute as the day progresses," said the firm's managing director Justin Davies.

 

"As we collect that data, that's going to be transmitted into the local authority in Swansea.

 

"If a bus is running a little bit late, the traffic lights will change to favour the bus to enable its journey to be slightly speeded up and catch up the time.

 

"Where the bus is running normally the traffic light sequence will be absolutely as it is."

 

He added that the system is already benefiting the riding public. "Because we've got so much more information now than we've previously had, we're starting to see quite clearly where the timetables don't quite work or where the services aren't working as well as we want them to - the punctuality isn't where it needs to be," he added.

 

"We need to go through the process of adjusting the timetables, work out where we need to take some time away from journeys or even add a bit of time in."

 

"Over the next six months, you'll see a step change in the quality of service being delivered."