Public transport authorities in many European cities have developed their own telematics or intelligent transport systems for real-time passenger information and traffic control. Suppliers of real-time information systems are either local entrepreneurs or global players in the electronics and telecom sectors. The problems associated with this situation for bus manufacturers are outlined. Bus operators will try to buy vehicles with integrated telematics systems. For bus manufacturers, this is changing the focus from just delivering a bus to delivering a complete bus ready to be put into traffic without extensive refurbishment. Bus manufacturers must include telematic functions in their bus range and the supplier of real-time information systems will act as sub-suppliers to the bus manufacturers.
Abstract