The use of transport telematics in inter-urban and rural bus services

This paper considers how transport telematics can be applied to the inter-urban and rural bus public transport industries. The nature of the industries are examined, and a clear distinction is drawn from urban services. It is noted that this sector consists of some 300000 bus units in Europe, and is a very large market for appropriate technology. To date, there has been very little use of advanced technology to support extra-urban bus services either for customer support or for system management. Based on work within the TEDEBUS Task Force, the functions which can be supported by transport telematics are identified and discussed. The relevant emerging and established technologies are then considered. A specific example is then provided based on the SAMPO project, an EU initiative which uses telematics systems to support demand responsive transport services. Demonstration sites are being established in five European countries covering rural and urban areas, and services are provided for both general public and special needs markets