NJ TRANSIT ADVANCES DRIVE TOWARD REAL-TIME SERVICE INFORMATION FOR BUS CUSTOMERS

Entire bus fleet to be equipped with ⿿smart bus⿝ technology

February 9, 2011
NJT-11-009

NEWARK, NJ — The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved a contract that will allow NJ TRANSIT’s entire bus fleet to be equipped with smart bus technology, advancing the agency’s drive toward real-time service information for bus customers.

The Board authorized a $22 million contract with Clever Devices LTD of Plainview, NY, for hardware, software and services for the installation of smart bus equipment on approximately 1,040 transit, cruiser and articulated buses.

“The use of smart bus technology will enable NJ TRANSIT Bus Operations to improve the quality and reliability of service while reducing operating costs,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson.  “This technology will act as the central nervous system for New Jersey’s buses, transmitting critical data pertaining to ridership, vehicle condition, bus location and more, which will allow for greater efficiency in terms of scheduling, planning and maintenance.”

The Clever Devices platform offers many operational and customer benefits, including automatic bus stop announcements, vehicle condition monitoring, passenger counting, and real-time location reporting.  The technology, together with an upcoming procurement for a new radio system, will ultimately enable NJ TRANSIT to deliver real-time bus location and arrival information to any web-enabled device, letting customers know when their bus is expected to arrive at their stop.  In addition to providing smart bus benefits, this project will also provide a crucial foundation for the radio procurement, leveraging the agency’s investment in technology in two vital areas:  cutting edge customer service delivery and enhanced communications to best control the statewide network of more than 2,100 buses.

“By equipping the entire NJ TRANSIT bus fleet with smart bus technology, we are laying the foundation for providing real-time bus service information to our customers,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein.  “Smart bus technology will drive improvements like ‘Next Bus’ signage at key locations and new customer information tools on the web, such as maps that display graphic representations of buses as they move across the system.” 

NJ TRANSIT is currently taking delivery of 1,145 new buses that are already equipped with smart bus technology provided by Clever Devices.  The procurement of additional smart bus platforms for the remaining buses will enable NJ TRANSIT’s entire bus fleet to be equipped with this technology. 

The installation of smart bus platforms is expected to be completed in two phases by the end of 2012, while delivery of the remainder of NJ TRANSIT’s new smart buses is expected to be completed in 2013. 

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.