Cardiff Bus has embraced enhancements to the Omnibus vehicle scheduling software, OmniBASE, to improve the scheduling efficiency of their alternative fuels transport. 

The operator will use the features to validate assumptions for its battery-electric buses. 

The new functionality in the powerful software makes scheduling alternative fuels vehicles easier and quicker. 

Operators can specify alternative fuel types along with fuel capacity and discharge rates – and the data is specific to each schedule, which allows schedulers to adjust parameters by depot and over time based on real-world data.  

Schedulers can quickly review their workings with new reporting which provides an overview on the ability of each bus working to operate within range, based on the vehicle parameters defined by the user.   

Other new features to help improve efficiency include distance details on the bus graph – making editing workings easier, and the ability to provide information on driver running boards to advise on the required battery charge for an electric vehicle to complete a trip.   

Also, intelligence has been added to the link process to assess the effect on charge levels and feasibility of potential bus links, assisting the scheduler in selecting the pieces of work that provide the best match and taking into account charging requirements and opportunities.  

In terms of electric vehicles, new functionality identifies a period when a vehicle is recharging, and this time is automatically converted to additional range and factored into the range calculations.  

Gareth Stevens, Commercial Director at Cardiff Bus, said: “As Cardiff’s main bus operator and a real cog in the wheel of city-life, public transport is key to reducing air pollution in our cities. With the adoption of new fuel types, we need a partner who understands our business. Omnibus has consistently proven to be a trusted partner for us as we continue to use the latest technology to meet our zero emissions goal and investment plans for the future.”  

Peter Crichton, Omnibus founder, said: “Providing robust software solutions for the bus industry is at the core of what we do and OmniBASE achieves this by enabling operators to produce efficient and accurate vehicle schedules quickly and for all types of passenger transport.   

“The new advanced functionality in the software not only improves scheduling efficiency, but it also supports operators on their journey to meet the Government’s clean air targets.” 

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PR contact at Omnibus, part of the EPM Group:
Harminder Sangha
Harminder.sangha@epm-bus.com
+44 (0)7538 935 568