Over 200 charging stations will be connected and integrated with the operational systems and the energy supply thanks to CarMedialab’s system.

CarMedialab charge management system in Barcelona

In October 2023 CarMedialab (belonging to INIT Group) has recently signed a cooperation with Optibus: together, the two companies will introduce to the market an end-to-end EV management solution “that enables smarter charging and higher-quality, cost-effective EV networks”. Another cooperation is in force with volytica diagnostics. Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH and LVB in Leipzing are among the customer of CarMedialab smart charging solution.

TMB has set a goal of achieving 25% of its fleet with zero emissions by 2024.  TMB 2025 Strategic Plan aims also to achieve that by 2025 65% of displacements in Barcelona are made by public transport, in front of private vehicles. Still according to the plan, 508 new energy buses will be incorporated, of which 233 will be electric and 46 hydrogen.

TMB operates two transport networks – the bus network and the subway network – as well as several leisure transport services. With a fleet of over a thousand vehicles and more than 100 routes, the bus network covers over 900 km between Barcelona and the ten cities in the metropolitan area. The goal of this contract is to enable higher efficiency of charging processes of TMB e-buses.

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Prior to the introduction of the driver app, TST relied on traditional methods such as paper printouts and text messages to communicate with drivers. These methods often led to confusion about the exact assignment of vehicles at the start of service and inefficiencies in the way depots communicated with drivers. “Our previous communication methods were limited and created numerous difficulties for both drivers and controllers. We needed a solution that offered comprehensive information in real time, improving the overall experience for drivers,” said Duarte Cunha, Planning and Operations Manager at TST.

The driver app was designed to include all necessary functionality, including driver access to their duties, schedules, payroll information, and real-time vehicle assignment with real-time updates.

Because of the app’s ease of use and navigation, TST was able to engage 80 percent of its drivers (about 600 people) in four weeks. Controllers are already experiencing improved communication between drivers and the depot, with the app reducing driver calls to the control center and schedulers by fifty percent.
«We have received very positive feedback from our drivers on the Optibus app. Overall, the driver app is making the work experience better and more organized for everyone», Duarte said.

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Santiago de Chile has been the 1,000th city in the world to choose Optibus, the cloud-native planning, scheduling, rostering and operations platform for mass transit, in early 2022. Latest add in Optibus offer is the Driver App.

According to a recent study by Centro Mario Molina Chile, together with the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Rapid-deployment Accelerator) partnership of C40 and ICCT, the economic competitiveness of electric buses resulted in a TCO 32% lower than the TCO of their diesel counterparts.

Optibus selected in Santiago as official fleet management software

Established in 2013, the Directorio de Transporte Público Metropolitano (DTPM) oversees the city’s bus network, which consists of nearly 7,000 buses, including more than 2,000 electric buses, operated through 11 concession contracts. With more than 950 million annual passengers, this expansive bus network stretches across the thirty-four municipalities of Santiago Province and the communes of Puente Alto and San Bernardo, home to 40% of Chile’s total population. 

Santiago de Chile was the first in the region to have a single integrated ticketing and fleet management system and is one of the largest electric bus fleets in the world outside of China, making Santiago an international pioneer in the decarbonization of public transportation, as Optibus states.

Using Optibus’ Planning, Scheduling, and EV management products “will help elevate Santiago’s public transportation system to new levels of sustainability, efficiency, and convenience. Leveraging optimization algorithms, cloud computing, and advanced data analytics, Santiago’s bus operators the Optibus platform will enable more effective, faster bus scheduling and management across the city’s public transportation operators”, in the software company’s words.

“Optibus is pleased to be selected as the planning, scheduling, and electric bus software of Santiago’s metropolitan public transportation system, one of the most innovative and advanced transportation systems in the region. Advanced planning and operational software is the foundation of any efficient and modern public transportation system. We are honored to provide our technological support and infrastructure to make Santiago’s bus network more efficient, reliable, and sustainable, improving the environment and residents’ quality of life,” said Álvaro Iriarte Sanderson, Optibus’ Regional Director for the Southern Cone.

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This event is expected to host over 10,000 professionals from 25 countries, with a notable representation from European and Latin American companies. Sustainable Bus is media partner of the exhibition, and our editorial staff has been in Madrid to attend it.

The expo features the participation of major players from the operators landscape as EMT Madrid, Arriva Spain, and Avanza. Karsan is the only bus manufacturer attending, took the opportunity to demonstrate their autonomous e-Atak. Also at the show a hydrogen-powered CaetanoBus bus.

Amidst these discussions and exhibitions, the Italian startup Busforfun as well as software compannies Optibus, ioki, and the MaaS specialist Meep contribute to the wider discourse on the future of mobility.

EMT strategy at Global Mobility Call

One of the key highlights of this year’s Global Mobility Call is the “Public Transport as the Backbone of Sustainable Mobility for Citizens” congress.

“Public transport is 4 times more energy-efficient and 10 times safer than private vehicles. For each euro spent in public transport, 5 euros are generated”, stressed Dionisio Gonzalez, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at UITP, in the opening.

EMT Madrid Managing Director Alfonso Sánchez Vicente stated: “Our strategic plan for 2021 – 2025 relies on the support of Madrid Council that allows us to have 1 billion euros for energy transition. Also Next Generation EU funds are helping us making this investment reality. It’s a path that have no return. Total electrification of the bus fleet will be achieved by 2033. We are going to roll out 100 e-buses per years, and this figures will be increase to over 200 per year”

This year’s event boasts a 76% increase in participation, with 104 exhibitors compared to 2022. Moreover, international companies now make up 25% of the total, a significant jump from the 10% seen in the previous edition.

The post Global Mobility Call: EMT, Arriva, Avanza, Karsan, Optibus and more join Madrid’s expo appeared first on Sustainable Bus.

Optibus Driver App “provides a professional, virtual space that connects drivers, depots, and documents – from anywhere – and enables quick and efficient communication about service changes, HR requests, and driver work preferences. It’s one step forward in making driving an easier job”, company states.

Optibus launches Driver App

A design partner for the Driver App, T.S.T. – Transportes Sul do Tejo, S.A. in Portugal is one of the early adopters of the solution and has already launched it in their operations. 

The Optibus Driver App gives dispatchers, allocators, and depots a range of abilities, including – in the words of the supplier:

• Help drivers prepare better for their shift: Give drivers all the pre-shift information they need to start their work day, when they need it.
• Alert drivers in real-time: Communicate faster with drivers about shift changes, giving them more control over their day. 
• Create lifestyle rosters: Account for drivers’ unique needs when creating assignments.
• Digitize and centralize information: Get organized and go paperless by digitizing physical paperwork and storing all schedules, timesheets, and work history in one user-friendly digital space, accessible from anywhere. 
• Enable remote sign-ons: Save drivers time by moving from in-depot sign-ons that require extra travel to remote sign-ons via the app.
• Balance driver needs with operational goals: Customize shift settings to align drivers’ work preferences with depot requirements and business KPIs.
• Integrate the app into operational processes: The Driver App communicates with payroll and HR systems, preventing operational disruptions.
• Make data-driven decisions: The Driver App connects to Optibus Operations so users can assess how shifts impact costs, efficiency, and overall operations and make data-driven decisions that improve resource management and operational outcomes.

Optibus Driver App: putting innovation in the hands of drivers

“The Driver App marks a significant milestone in our journey to empower the people who power public transportation. By putting innovation in the hands of drivers, the Driver App helps create an excellent driver work experience and ensure a strong workforce for passengers. We are excited to see the positive impact that this technology will have on drivers and depots worldwide,” said Amos Haggiag, CEO and co-founder of Optibus.

“We have received very positive feedback from our drivers about the Optibus Driver App. When we started using the app with a test group of drivers, the other drivers could not wait to also have access to it. The user stats show that drivers are using the app every day. Additionally, our schedulers and our controllers are also requesting it, as it reduces the number of calls and queries they receive from drivers, since drivers can see all the information they need on the app. All around, the Driver App is making the work experience better and more organized for everyone,” said Duarte Cunha, Planning and Operations Manager at TST.

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Optibus and CarMedialab enter cooperation

The siloed nature of EV operational processes has become one of the greatest challenges in planning and operating electric bus services, Optibus explains outlining the background of the new cooperation. Charging operations, which span peak shaving, load shifting, energy consumption and prices, and charging status, are monitored and controlled using specialized smart charging software. At the same time, route planning and scheduling for electric buses is performed using its own set of dedicated e-bus scheduling software. 

These silos limit operators’ visibility into how routes and schedules align with and impact charging needs, and vice versa. Consequently, services may be designed with a lack of insight into important charging considerations, like battery status and costs. 

Optibus move into smart charging

Optibus’ move into smart charging is then set to enable those previously siloed processes to finally speak to each other.

“Combining Optibus’ artificial intelligence and optimization algorithms, which ensure that plans are operational and cost-effective, with CarMedialab’s ability to monitor charging in real-time, send alerts about charging activity, and automate processes, the integrated solution will span charging plans, energy requirement predictions, cost savings through peak shifting, and reporting integration”, Optibus says. 

“Developing smart charging strategies is new territory for many public transportation operators. We are proud to be partnering with a seasoned and ground-breaking leader in this field, CarMedialab, to bring their real-world implementation experience and technology to our clients and make it easier to address the entire life cycle of EV management,” said Lior Krupsky, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Optibus. 

“We’ve known Optibus for years, but through our new joint projects we’ve learned how well we complement each other. It’s exciting to work together towards the global rollout of our smart charge management application,” said Heiko Bauer, CEO at CarMedialab.

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Charging stations will be connected throughout Israel as Ayalon Highways, Israel’s nationwide infrastructure provider, commissioned CarMedialab to integrate the MOBILEcharge charge management system into hundreds of electric bus charging stations.

“We chose CarMedialabs charge management system for all our bus depots all over Israel. MOBILEcharge will help us to have a maximum number of buses available on time with minimal use of the grid and minimal costs. Let the electrification revolution begin!“, said Shirley W., Product Manager at Ayalon Highways.

What is MOBILEcharge and how it works

MOBILEcharge is an intelligent charge management system that not only monitors and controls the charging of electric buses, but can also integrate various interfaces. These interfaces enable seamless communication with depot management and other relevant systems. In this way, operators can better manage their electric fleets, optimize operations, increase efficiency, and save costs.

CarMediaLab and the partnership with Optibus

Optibus will help improve driver and vehicle planning and deployment optimization. Detailed information on operations, punctuality, and costs will enable operators to make public transportation more efficient and meet the needs of passengers. MOBILEcharge receives dispatching information from the Optibus platform to optimize charging processes based on departure time.

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Designing passenger information systems is an art form. But not all transportation operators have the time, experience, or budget to take all the different service data (schedules, route numbers, location, connections, and so on) and create information designs on the scale of Harry Beck’s iconic London Underground map or Lausanne’s innovative multimodal map. Part of the problem lies in the marketplace: current passenger communication tools are outdated or manual and require a significant amount of time and effort to manage. These slow processes also limit operators’ agility in quickly updating information to reflect changes in service.

“The passenger experience is not just about the journey. It is also about the ease with which passengers can understand service information. Through this partnership with Hitouch, creating state-of-the-art passenger information displays becomes possible for all transportation professionals at the click of a button. We are excited to join forces with Hitouchto revolutionize communication and design for passengers”, said Amos Haggiag, Ceo and co-founder of Optibus.

“Creating an intelligent transportation system is not just about planning and operations. It is also about communication with passengers. Hitouch is excited to partner with Optibus to enable operators to design easy-to-understand passenger information systems with geo.zpheres in a highly automated way”, said Oliver Westphal, Ceo of Hitouch.

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This article was published in our newsletter Next Stop.
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As public transport continues to evolve, the focus on incorporating diverse forms of mobility and the recognition of Africa’s untapped potential promise an exciting future. With the rise of women in leadership roles, the industry is experiencing a welcome shift towards greater inclusivity and diversity.

Below, the main 5 takeaways we gathered from the exhibition.

#1. E-mobility, a (not needed) confirmation.

No mistery, electric buses are the present of public transport and since a few times you can hardly find a diesel-powered bus in sector-exhibition. of course real registrations are still mainly of combustion engine buses (70 per cent in the first quarter of 2023) but all the effort of OEMs go in the direction of providing larger families of zero-emission buses. Also in Class II (see the Iveco Crossway LE Elec) and with the aid of hydrogen fuel cell (see Mercedes eCitaro fuel cell).

What is more, two of the three major bus&coach groups in Europe, MAN and Daimler Buses, are not updating to Euro 7 their range of city buses. After 2027, they’ll go full electric in Europe. MAN announced this strategy at UITP (for them the same will apply to intercity buses), Daimler already in 2022. 

#2. Turnkey solutions are king

OEMs are increasingly looking to provide turnkey solutions to customers. Not only vehicles, but the whole system. Daimler Solutions has launched a new division, Daimler Buses Solutions, that specializes in planning, designing and building electric infrastructure. Iveco Bus has introduced the Energy Mobility Solutions team: with goal of identyfiying the most effective charging strategies, the most suitable battery sizes and the necessary infrastructure. 

#3. Public transport embraces many forms of mobility

Quoting from UITP Secretary General Mohamed Mezghani during the opening press conference “We need to explore public transportation beyond mass transit, focusing on providing solutions that go beyond station-to-station and extend to door-to-door. By combining public transportation with sharing mobility options, we can achieve enhanced efficiency and convenience”. And UITP just launched a division focusing on sharing mobility.

Another nice definition from our interview with Optibus CEO Amos Haggiag:  “public transit needs to adapt and embrace all forms of mobility. The goal should be to create a comprehensive and interconnected transportation system that seamlessly incorporates trains, buses, micromobility, on-demand shuttles, and autonomous vehicles. By merging these modes of transportation, we can achieve a holistic system that caters to the diverse needs of commuters and optimizes efficiency in urban mobility”

#4. Is Africa the next big thing?

Opportunities for public transport (and electrification) in Africa popped out from many conversation. The scenario is that of a region where the competition with cars simply doesn’t exist. The competitors are walking and micromobility. Big players of public transport market are quite sure that, when transit system will be built (and some financing are in place), the demand will not be lacking. Demographic trends concerning Africa are quite clear, with half of young adults forecasted to be African by end of the century. 

#5. Women at the center of public transport scene

Two highlights from UITP Summit: the first female president in a history of over 130 years of the organization, Renee Almicar, was elected in Barcelona. Secondly: 44 percent of speakers and panelists were women, up from 42 percent in 2019.

The post Evolving public transport: 5 key trends from UITP Summit 2023 appeared first on Sustainable Bus.

Amos Haggiag, CEO and Co-Founder of Optibus, shares insights on their global expansion, future of mobility, company’s strategies and the importance of public transit.

Public transit needs to adapt and embrace all forms of mobility. The goal should be to create a comprehensive and interconnected transportation system that seamlessly incorporates trains, buses, micromobility, on-demand shuttles, and autonomous vehicles. By merging these modes of transportation, we can achieve a holistic system that caters to the diverse needs of commuters and optimizes efficiency in urban mobility.

Amos Haggiag, CEO and Co-Founder of Optibus

Amos Haggiag, Optibus enabling zero emission operation

May you provide us a picture of Optibus?

Optibus is a software company that provides a cloud-native platform for designing transportation networks, creating timetables, allocating vehicles and drivers, and ensuring efficient real-time operations.

When we first founded Optibus, our software was designed around scheduling drivers and allocating vehicles while planning the network. Over the years, we expanded the platform’s capabilities to address new challenges, such as the optimization of charging processes for electric and zero-emission buses. This involves determining when to charge, how long to charge, which type of charger to use, and prioritizing charging based on the vehicles’ and drivers’ schedules.

The transition to e-mobility is driving your product development, then?

Currently, many operators are rapidly transitioning to electric or zero-emission buses, and numerous cities plan to build 100% zero-emissions bus fleets within the next decade. Achieving this goal will be extremely challenging without the aid of technology, as it facilitates the management of the charging infrastructure, vehicles, and batteries. We have made substantial investments in developing AI-powered, digital tools that make it easier to manage electric vehicles and hybrid fleets.

Furthermore, we have also support real-time operations, which involve adjusting and optimizing operations in accordance with what is happening on the road at any given moment. This includes the real-time management of drivers and ensuring buses leave the depot on time, calculating costs, and addressing unpredictable issues such as traffic jams and vehicle breakdowns. By effectively managing these factors, we contribute to the real-time optimization of the network and ensure smooth operations.

You gather a lot of data for the backend side. Are there any future developments planned for a front desk app for passengers?

We do not have plans to develop an Optibus app specifically for passengers. Our focus is primarily on providing service information to passengers through various transport apps such as Google, Apple, and more. These apps utilize the data from Optibus’ platform, including routes and timetables. Last year, we acquired a company in the US that specializes in GTFS and passenger information systems to ensure that we can effectively provide accurate information about routes, timetables, and more to passengers through various apps and passenger information systems. Our intention is to collaborate with these app providers so that Optibus users can provide reliable service information to as many passengers as possible, ensuring a postive passenger experience.

Optibus, Africa is showing big opportunities

What are the figures for Optibus in terms of cities and regions?

In November 2022, usage of Optibus’ software hit 2,000 cities worldwide with our breakthrough into Vienna, Austria. That’s double the number of cities that were using Optibus just nine months prior, in February, we reached our 1,000th city milestone with Santiago, Chile. Our growth and reach is truly global, visible in more than 35 countries worldwide, including Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom (where 70% of all public buses are planned and scheduled using Optibus), Portugal (where our software optimizes 50% of the public buses in Lisbon), Spain, Germany, France, Turkey, as well as countries in North and South America, such as Brazil, the United States, and Canada, and Asia Pacific. Furthermore, we have are involved in helping to plan the first public bus network in Kampala, Uganda, which is going to have an amazing social and economic impact on people across the city and region.

Please explain…

Imagine a city that has no existing public transit, where only 5% of the population owns a car, and where millions of people primarily commute by walking or by using unsafe, unregulated forms of mobility. However, with the support of organizations like the World Bank and the advent of new technologies, substantial opportunities are emerging. By bringing public transit in these areas, many people will finally have a safe, reliable means to commute to work, attend school, and access healthcare facilities. This transformation will significantly improve their quality of life.

Did Optibus set any targets for this year?

In terms of growth, we are continuing to pursue our exponential goals and to establish our presence in newregions so we can expand globally. We believe that public transportation is essential worldwide, and it is crucial for us to have a presence in every city, in every country to create an impact. On the product side, you can anticipate numerous updates related to electric vehicles (EVs). Our customers are using Optibus’ EV scheduling software at various stages of their journey to establish zero-emissions fleets, be it rolling out their very first electric buses, to managing a fleet that is already 100% electric or that consists of hundreds or thousands of electric buses, as is the case with some of our clients in the United States and Chile, which has one of the largest electric bus fleets in the world. However, scaling up electric bus fleets presents new challenges. For instance, if numerous buses are charging simultaneously, there may not be sufficient electricity supply. We are focusing on citywide optimization of charging infrastructure and addressing associated issues.

Additionally, we see immense potential for innovation in the real-time operations space, and are actively exploring ways to introduce advancements and improvements. Public transportation has traditionally been managed manually worldwide. Decisions related to traffic jams, vehicle breakdowns, and other incidents that happen unexpectedly have been typically handled using manual interventions, such as phone calls to drivers. We want to make the process of reacting in the moment much smoother and more automated, so that operators can work smarter and passengers experience fewer service disruptions.

Autonomous driving, challenges and opportunities

What about autonomous driving?

Autonomous driving will be a major development for public transportation. However, it is difficult to determine the timing of how things will unfold, as even the most promising projects take more time than expected. However, the replacement of all drivers with autonomous technology seems unlikely, at least in our lifetime. It’s more realistic that the driver role will evolve, requiring more oversight and management of the vehicle in place of time behind the wheel.

However, as the cost of personal autonomous vehicles decreases, there is a risk that people may overly rely on them for travel, and the convenience may outweight the offer of public transportation. Personal AVs will not solve issues like pollution if the vehicles are not zero emissions, and they will not reduce traffic and congestion if every person still travels in their own vehicle. With the added convenience of personal AVs, public transportation will need to put up an even bigger fight against private cars.

That’s a crucial issue.

Yes. In a scenario where car ownership is increasingly convenient, it is likely that many individuals would opt for private transportation, leading to a proliferation of cars on the roads and severe congestion issues within cities. It is crucial to bring people together and implement appropriate regulations. Whether a car is autonomous, electric, or driven by a person, it still occupies physical space on the roads. Autonomous vehicles, although promising in terms of safety, are not a standalone solution to alleviate congestion.

Public transit plays a pivotal role in mitigating traffic congestion. However, with the advent of autonomous cars, there is a risk that ridership on public transit systems might suffer.

How to react?

To prevent this, public transit needs to adapt and embrace all forms of mobility. The goal should be to create a comprehensive and interconnected transportation system that seamlessly incorporates trains, buses, micromobility, on-demand shuttles, and autonomous vehicles. By merging these modes of transportation, we can achieve a holistic system that caters to the diverse needs of commuters and optimizes efficiency in urban mobility.

The mindset of a startup

Are you still considering your company a startup?

It depends on how you define a startup. I receive this question frequently, and I have contemplated it myself. Is Google considered a startup? Probably not. People often perceive startups as small companies, but Optibus currently has 400 employees worldwide. So, are we still a startup? In my opinion, a startup is a company that is in a phase of high growth and disruption, distinct from companies that have already saturated the market or focus on low growth. We are still relatively small compared to the overall opportunity, and our progress is rapid, leading to significant growth and developments every year. This necessitates different strategies and entry into new markets. Therefore, we are still operating with the mindset of a startup.

My definition of a startup is a company that is experiencing rapid growth, making substantial investments, and expecting substantial profits but has not yet achieved profitability.

Optibus’ current focus is on investing heavily in growth, product development, and market expansion. Building the best, most innovative platform possible and expanding rapidly to make it available to every city in the world is our priority. We still embody the startup spirit in that nature.

Is there a projected timeframe when you expect to shift your focus towards profitability?

I don’t believe there will be a specific moment when we suddenly switch our focus. Innovation is an ongoing process, and we will continue to innovate our software until we feel that we have a solution for every problem. However, there will always be new challenges to address. As we progress, our profits will naturally increase. We started the company with no revenues, and only expenses. Over time, our revenue grew, leading to profits. However, maintaining an innovative mindset will always be a core aspect of our company.

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