DSAT to improve bus management and passenger information systems

[Photo:Renato Marques]

The Transport Bureau (DSAT) plans to improve the public bus management system to enhance passenger volume estimation and data accuracy. The bureau also claims to be improving the mobile application and bus stop information to provide more accurate and relevant information.

The public bus system’s upcoming updates came to light in a response to a written inquiry from lawmaker Leong Pou U, submitted via the Legislative Assembly.

In response to lawmaker Leong, DSAT said, “The Transport Bureau will continue to expand the scope of the passenger volume estimation system and update related equipment through negotiations on bus service contracts with the two bus companies, aiming to improve data accuracy and facilitate passengers’ selection of the most suitable bus routes.”

DSAT further stated that the bureau will also optimize the functionalities and technical specifications of the “Public Bus Management System,” which has been in operation for 14 years, through a system overhaul.

According to DSAT, this upgrade “will advance the smart transformation of the transport system, improve the operational efficiency of public bus routes and the overall stability of the system, and further enhance the performance of the mobile app and bus stop announcement methods to improve the user experience.”

In his initial inquiry, submitted on March 13, lawmaker Leong noted that the trial version of the bus stop announcement mobile app was launched in July 2016 (almost 10 years ago) and has since seen almost no updates to its functionality.

He also noted that, according to available statistics, the app has been downloaded almost 3 million times, which led him to believe that it is on the mobile devices of all residents and a very large number of frequent visitors.

Leong also noted that functionalities such as the passenger count estimation system do not yet provide full coverage and that the system’s accuracy is limited.

Leong cited other statistical figures showing that of the 1,010 public buses, only 348 are equipped with the passenger counting system, which is just 34.5%. As he previously noted, the system has several accuracy issues.

The lawmaker called on the government to provide a concrete plan and timeline to improve the system and address overcrowding on buses.

He also suggested that authorities add a feature to the bus stop announcement mobile app to display not just the number of stops away but also an estimated arrival time, so users can better plan their commutes.