Category: BODS

Webinar – Set up timetable data correctly in BODS for the festive period

Posted on September 9, 2021 by - BODS, Events, Operators, Transport Authorities

Set up data correctly for BODS

Christmas isn’t all fun and chocolate. In the schedules office it might even be considered a dirty word.

Why? Well it’s the time of year when bus companies find themselves having to create multiple bespoke sets of timetables and schedules, sometimes a different one each day over a 10-day period. This year there is the added requirement to supply compliant BODS data too.

Set up data correctly for BODS

The webinar is aimed at existing OmniTIMES and BODS Exporter customers to learn more about how to set up data correctly in BODS over the festive and New Year period.

REPLAY WEBINAR

Are you ready for Bus Open Data Service (BODS)?

Posted on July 23, 2021 by - BODS, Operators, Opinion, Transport Authorities

Network Big Data Transfer

The Bus Open Data Service (BODS) provides bus timetable, vehicle location and fares data for every local bus service in England.

The Department for Transport (DfT) wants to make it easier to travel by bus and says the open data will enable passengers to plan their journeys with confidence, spend less time waiting and find the best value tickets.

Aiden Proctor gives a rundown on the intricacies of a BODS timetable file.

Network Big Data Transfer

What is BODS?

The Bus Open Data Service is a scheme led by the Department for Transport (DfT) that requires all bus operators in England to publish timetables, fares and live vehicle tracking in an open data format that can be read by other downstream users. The intention is to provide more data to transport users, improving accessibility but also allowing third party developers access to the data.

What is required?
In regards to timetables, operators are required to supply a TransXChange (TXC) file that is either uploaded and hosted on the DfT site or hosted elsewhere but linked to the DfT site. The DfT wrote a separate list of requirements for the data it wanted to be included in a TXC file for BODS. This is known as the PTI Profile. It is currently on version 1.1A.

Fares and live tracking data is supplied differently and not in the scope of Omnibus.

What is the difference between a file for BODS and a standard TXC file?
The PTI Profile sits within the TXC 2.4 schema – that means the BODS file is laid out and set up in the same way as a normal TXC file but some of the data fields that are optional within a standard TXC 2.4 file are mandatory in a BODS file. The PTI Profile also stipulates the way that some of the data entries must be configured – this may be different to how you would export it as a normal TXC 2.4 file.

So what does that all mean?
It means that producing a standard TXC 2.4 file will not produce a compliant BODS file. That is why Omnibus created a separate BODS Exporter within our TXC Exporter Module.

Why is it separate?
Our standard TXC Exporter is very versatile in the way it allows users to configure the data fields they export in a TXC file. BODS does not have this flexibility – it must contain certain data and in a certain format. Therefore, we created a separate export routine. The BODS Exporter offers no ability for a user to customise their output because the data format is very specific as detailed by the PTI Profile.

What is happening in the real world?
The DfT have set a deadline of 30th September 2021 for all timetable files submitted to BODS to be compliant with the PTI Profile 1.1A. This means that a standard TXC 2.4 file or an invalid BODS format file will no longer be accepted.

Our friendly team is fully versed on BODS requirements and can walk you through the whole process, and continue to support you as requirements evolve. Think of us as your partner and just know that we’ve got your back; all you need to do is get in touch and we’ll be happy to make this process as simple as possible for you.

First Bus supported to meet BODS compliance

Posted on December 21, 2020 by - BODS, Operators

First Bus Operator

21 Dec 2020 – Omnibus is helping First Bus to provide seamless and compliant timetable data for the Bus Open Data Service (BODS).

Earlier this year Omnibus launched a new module that provides BODS compliant TransXChange files ready for uploading to the Department for Transport BODS portal by the 31st December deadline.

First Bus Operator

The BODS module has been designed by Omnibus, for our customers to utilise, enabling them to simply select timetables and produce compliant data with minimal effort.

Omnibus is providing First Bus with this innovative new software to enable the Schedulers to draw the data from the Omnibus suite of products in a way that is familiar to them. Omnibus has and continues to provide help and training to ensure First Bus will be BODS ready for the deadline at the end of this year.

Michael Meilton, BODS Project Leader for Omnibus, comments: “We are working closely with all our customers to ensure that they are BODS ready. We are ensuring that they are aware of the need for the TransXChange to be in a specific BODS format, and not getting caught out by thinking that their existing exports fit the bill, as unfortunately they won’t. Our developers have worked wonders in creating software that ensures the data can be exported in a compliant format, with minimal impact on schedulers’ workloads.”

John Birtwistle, Head of Policy for First Bus, commented: “The work that Omnibus has done has simplified the process. The software does its job perfectly. We have been able to compile our BODS data seamlessly, enabling us to meet the DFT deadline efficiently for customers.”

-ENDS-

Press Contact:
Harmi Sangha
Marketing Manager – Omnibus and EPM Bus Solutions
07538 935 568
Harminder.sangha@epm-bus.com 

Seamless.Effecient.Easy

Alex Hornby
CEO for Transdev Blazefield

We are delighted to be working with Omnibus in leading the way in helping us make data more open and accessible. Ensuring information is easily available to our customers, existing and new, is a vital part of growing bus use and we are excited to embrace the opportunities it provides.”

BODS module launched ahead of December 2020 deadline

Posted on December 7, 2020 by - BODS, Operators

Data sharing

7 Dec 2020 – Omnibus has launched a new module to enable clients to provide Bus Open Data Service compliant data ahead of the 31st December deadline.

The new module makes it as easy as possible for clients to provide seamless, compliant timetable data by producing TransXChange 2.4 files in accordance with the BODS profile. The module has been launched now to give customers the benefit of a twelve week window to refresh their timetable data prior to 31st December.

Data sharing

Peter Crichton, Managing Director, Omnibus, explains: “Our team has worked hard over the last few months to ensure our customers have plenty of time to prepare for the BODS deadline at the end of the year. This enables them to get ahead of the game and establish their BODS data flow now, rather than in the busy weeks before Christmas.”

Peter continues: “As well as operators, BODS has implications for Local Authorities, which are now obliged to update and maintain the NaPTAN stops database. We have therefore also developed a solution for that and an option for Councils who are considering providing a bureau BODS service for operators of their tendered services.”

Meera Nayyar, Head of Passenger Experience, Buses and Taxis, Department for Transport, says: “From 31st December 2020, bus operators will be legally required to publish their timetable data. The Bus Open Data Service is publicly available now for those who wish to get on board and publish their timetable data early. It is very encouraging that many have already done so. For those of you yet to do so, we’d encourage you to talk with your scheduling software supplier about sharing your timetable data with BODS.”

Peter concludes: “We have made it as easy as possible for everyone to act now, before their scheduling staff initiate the service changes for the Christmas period. As always, the Omnibus support team is on hand to help guide anyone through the process.”

-ENDS-

Press Contact:
Harmi Sangha
Marketing Manager – Omnibus and EPM Bus Solutions
07538 935 568
Harminder.sangha@epm-bus.com 

Supporting clients get ahead of the game with bus open data (BODS)

Posted on September 11, 2020 by - BODS, Operators, Transport Authorities

11 Sept 2020 – Omnibus is launching a new module to help clients to provide seamless, compliant timetable data for the Bus Open Data Service (BODS). From its launch in the Autumn, clients will be able to produce TransXChange 2.4 files in accordance with the BODS profile, giving customers the benefit of a three-month window to refresh their timetable data prior to the 31st December deadline.

Omnibus is also advising operators that they can submit data now, before the September launch of the new facility, as the current versions of TransXChange are acceptable for submission to BODS.

Meera Nayyar, Head of Passenger Experience, Buses and Taxis, Department for Transport, commented: “From 31st December 2020, bus operators will be legally required to publish their timetable data. The Bus Open Data Service is publicly available now for those who wish to get on board and publish their timetable data early. It is very encouraging that many have already done so. For those of you yet to do so, we’d encourage you to talk with your scheduling software supplier about sharing your timetable data with BODS.”

Peter Crichton, Managing Director, Omnibus, explains: “Operators can set up their BODS data flow now, with their current TransXChange files, and they will only need a simple data refresh once the BODS TransXChange option is available in the Autumn. Our advice is to get ahead of the game and establish your BODS data flow now and not in the weeks before Christmas. As always, the Omnibus support team is on hand to help guide anyone through the process.”

Alex Hornby, the CEO of Transdev Blazefield, comments: “We are delighted to be working with Omnibus in leading the way in helping us make data more open and accessible. Ensuring information is easily available to our customers, existing and new, is a vital part of growing bus use and we are excited to embrace the opportunities it provides.”

-ENDS-

Press Contact:
Harmi Sangha
Marketing Manager – Omnibus and EPM Bus Solutions
07538 935 568
Harminder.sangha@epm-bus.com