Omnibus to help operators open up bus data with new tech

Omnibus is launching new technology that will help bus operators share more data about their services with the public.

From December 31, 2020, bus operators will be legally required to publish their timetable and stop data as part of of the Bus Open Data Service (BODS).

Basic fares and ​location data will be enforceable from January 7, 2021, with complex fares being added from January 7, 2023.

Complex fares and tickets refers to more complicated ticket structures such as multi-operator passes.

Those operators who breach the new requirements may be faced with financial penalties or the removal of their licence.

Fines can be up to £550, and that sum could be multiplied by the number of vehicles operating under all the PSV operator licences held.

From autumn this year, Omnibus 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 deadline.

Meera Nayyar, head of passenger experience, buses and taxis, Department for Transport, said:  “ 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,  said 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.

He said: “Our advice is to get ahead of the game and establish your BODS data flow now and not in the weeks before Christmas.”