Soon, city bus service info on Google Maps likely

Real-time tracking system of all NWKRTC buses in pipeline

Hubballi: Scheduled timings and routes of city buses plying in Hubballi-Dharwad are expected to be available on Google Maps in a few months, facilitating the people travelling to different locations in the twin cities.

Under an initiative of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, GIZ firm is in the process of including the details of city bus service in the twin cities on Google Maps. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) has provided information required to the agency, while synchronisation and approvals from the Google are awaited. Once launched, static transit information like timetable, route, stops and duration of journey of buses being operated by the Hubballi-Dharwad city transport division of the NWKRTC will be available on Google Maps in public transport section. 

According to the NWKRTC officials, a similar facility is already launched for city buses in Belagavi under the ‘Smart City’ project. After launching this initiative for city buses in Hubball-Dharwad, the corporation is planning to expand this to all six districts in the region from where the NWKRTC buses are being operated.

“Information of city bus service in Hubballli-Dharwad on Google Maps is expected to be available in two to three months. We also want to expand this facility for all 36,000 trips of NWKRTC buses in six districts of the region. For this our staff members have to be trained, and it may take six months,” said NWKRTC Managing Director Priyanga M.

VTMS on cards

Meanwhile, the NWKRTC which operates more than 5,500 buses has planned to have a vehicle tracking and monitoring system (VTMS). This system will give real-time information of movement of NWKRTC buses using their GPS devices through app or website, if this project is approved and funded by the Union government.

Even if the NWKRTC could not get funding, it is planning to have a basic version of vehicle tracking real-time for monitoring by the corporation itself, by spending around Rs seven crore from its own resources. Tender process is on after the NWKRTC called request for proposals for this project.

Priyanga said, 800 new buses which were added to the NWKRTC have GPS devices, and it can have a simple vehicle tracking system by having such devices for all buses, spending around Rs seven crore, as the Transport Department has mandated such devices and safety buttons for all buses.

For a detailed system offering real-time information of movement of all buses to passengers, around Rs 25 crore is required. A proposal for this project is submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, she added.

NWKRTC Deputy Chief Systems Manager Shreenath G stated that if the comprehensive project of VTMS offering real-time information to passengers is implemented, it would reduce waiting time for passengers and they can plan the journey in a better way as they can track the location and movement of buses.Scheduled timings and routes of city buses plying in Hubballi-Dharwad are expected to be available on Google Maps in a few months, facilitating the people travelling to different locations in the twin cities.

Under an initiative of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, GIZ firm is in the process of including the details of city bus service in the twin cities on Google Maps. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) has provided information required to the agency, while synchronisation and approvals from the Google are awaited. Once launched, static transit information like timetable, route, stops and duration of journey of buses being operated by the Hubballi-Dharwad city transport division of the NWKRTC will be available on Google Maps in public transport section. 

According to the NWKRTC officials, a similar facility is already launched for city buses in Belagavi under the ‘Smart City’ project. After launching this initiative for city buses in Hubball-Dharwad, the corporation is planning to expand this to all six districts in the region from where the NWKRTC buses are being operated.

“Information of city bus service in Hubballli-Dharwad on Google Maps is expected to be available in two to three months. We also want to expand this facility for all 36,000 trips of NWKRTC buses in six districts of the region. For this our staff members have to be trained, and it may take six months,” said NWKRTC Managing Director Priyanga M.

VTMS on cards

Meanwhile, the NWKRTC which operates more than 5,500 buses has planned to have a vehicle tracking and monitoring system (VTMS). This system will give real-time information of movement of NWKRTC buses using their GPS devices through app or website, if this project is approved and funded by the Union government.

Even if the NWKRTC could not get funding, it is planning to have a basic version of vehicle tracking real-time for monitoring by the corporation itself, by spending around Rs seven crore from its own resources. Tender process is on after the NWKRTC called request for proposals for this project.

Priyanga said, 800 new buses which were added to the NWKRTC have GPS devices, and it can have a simple vehicle tracking system by having such devices for all buses, spending around Rs seven crore, as the Transport Department has mandated such devices and safety buttons for all buses.

For a detailed system offering real-time information of movement of all buses to passengers, around Rs 25 crore is required. A proposal for this project is submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, she added.

NWKRTC Deputy Chief Systems Manager Shreenath G stated that if the comprehensive project of VTMS offering real-time information to passengers is implemented, it would reduce waiting time for passengers and they can plan the journey in a better way as they can track the location and movement of buses.