Bus blitz: Real-time travel technology now live in regional, rural NSW

In a bid to level the playing field and bring regional NSW in line with the big cities, major changes have been rolled out across buses from the coast to the bush. Here’s how it will transform your commute.

All regional buses from the coast to the bush will now have real-time travel alerts so commuters can track when their buses are coming and going under plans by the Minns government to make transport fairer across the state.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal more than 3000 buses, covering 3880 routes and about 316,000 kilometres per day, have been fitted out with GPS technology that connects straight to smart phones.

For the first time regional and rural communities will be able to access the technology Sydney commuters have enjoyed for years, including real-time tracking in any travel app, accurate arrival times, digital timetables and route details.

It comes after the government worked with 451 bus operators, ranging from large fleet companies to small mum-and-dad businesses, to get the Transport Connected Bus Program rolling ahead of schedule.

Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the smart tech system is now live and will finally bring regional NSW in line with Greater Sydney and outer metro areas.

All regional buses from the coast to the bush will now have real-time travel alerts on any travel app. Transport for NSW

The real-time data and automatic passenger counting system will also help operators manage trips and keep services running on time. Picture: Transport for NSW

The boost means the state’s entire fleet of contracted buses, from regular to school services, can now be tracked by passengers.

“No matter where you live in NSW, you deserve the same quality public transport experience,” Ms Aitchison said.

“As someone who represents a regional community, I know how frustrating it is for regional commuters and public transport users who feel left behind when it comes to accessing real-time data.

“With more than 40 million regional bus journeys every year, every passenger deserves a smooth, reliable trip. These upgrades eliminate the guesswork, now you’ll know exactly where your bus is and when it will arrive.”

Regular and school services across the state can now be tracked by their passengers. Picture: Transport for NSW

The push to “equal the playing field” will also make it easier for Transport for NSW and bus operators to keep services running on time.

The real-time data, including automatic passenger counting, already helped operators on the NSW North Coast manage trips earlier this year during ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Commuters can now access the real-time information via transport apps, Opal Travel and the Transport for NSW Trip Planner.

Originally published as Bus blitz: Real-time travel technology now live in regional, rural NSW