Contracts for upgrading public transport to be signed soon

The transport ministry on Thursday announced it would soon sign a contract with the successful bidder for the implementation of the integrated telematics system for public transportation.

The contract provides for the installation of an automated system for issuing bus tickets and a fleet management system.

According to the announcement, the automated bus fare collection system, will operate with the use of smart cards, and “will help to improve services” as passengers will have the opportunity to get the smart cards from various sales points, as well as at stations and buses.

“The customer will be able to reuse the plastic smartcard in versatile ways as they will have the opportunity to purchase and credit their card online, but also manage electronically various types of tickets – one-way, multiple routes, weekly, monthly, etc – while enjoying possible discounts,” it said.

As regards the fleet management system, it aims at “detailed planning and monitoring the execution of the service” and it is expected to be “a powerful tool for bus companies, but also the ministry of transport, in their efforts to improve the quality of service,” the announcement said.

The system will collect information in relation to the service performed and the exact position of the bus, in real time, it said, while through the use of an intelligent system, passengers will receive information on the approximate arrival of the bus at each stop.

“Information will be provided through electronic displays, which will be installed at bus stations, and bus stops in central spots,” it said.

In addition, passengers will be informed via emails and SMS messages, and through access to a relevant smart phone application.

The installation of the system has been delayed by a tender dispute, recently resolved by the tenders review authority, which gave the green light for the contracts to be signed.

A spokesperson for the transport ministry told the Cyprus Mail there was no timeframe yet as to when the system would be fully implemented but it would be announced well in advance.