Electronic Bus Service Registration and TransXChange

1. Electronic Bus Service Registration and TransXChange

2. What are EBSR & TXC? • TransXChange (TXC) • Is a data transfer protocol that has been developed to allow for data on passenger transport services to be transferred in a standard and consistent format • Electronic Bus Service Registration (EBSR) • Is a business process that allows bus service registrations to be submitted to VOSA and local authorities in an electronic format. • To ensure that data is provided in a standard format, this process uses TXC to structure the data that is included in the registration

3. Why Do We Need EBSR & TXC? • The origins of TXC & EBSR lie in a move to modernise systems that began in the late 1990’s affecting both VOSA and the increasing need to share data about public transport services • VOSA – programme to update their business systems & processes and make them suitable for 21st Century (TAN21 Programme) • Wider transport information community – development of Traveline and emergence of new systems such as RTI • Both of these initiatives challenged the traditional view of bus data and bus registrations

4. The Bus Schedule …Different Interpretations Bus operator’s registration Timing points Sufficient data to show route taken Local authority (or traveline) schedule database All stops served Interpolated times Sketchy beyond area boundary Real-time system Precise times Seasonal/ date variations Vehicle allocation Coarse: sufficient detail to meet regulations Medium: sufficient detail for journey planning Fine: detail necessary to drive real-time stop signs

5. The Bus Schedule …Different Interpretations Bus operator’s registration Timing points Sufficient data to show route taken Local authority (or traveline) schedule database All stops served Interpolated times Sketchy beyond area boundary Real-time system Precise times Seasonal/ date variations Vehicle allocation Coarse: sufficient detail to meet regulations Medium: sufficient detail for journey planning Fine: detail necessary to drive real-time stop signs Typically, separate systems; manual intervention in each

6. The Case For Electronic Data Transfer Reduce the need for separate systems and manual intervention Recognise that the bus schedule is material common to core business for: Bus operator Local transport authority Information provider Each party has been re-writing/copying bus schedules/routes/timetables Introducing error Diverting resources Slowing timely delivery Each party has something to gain from more efficient schedule description & data transfer

7. What is EBSR? • Moving the bus service registration from paper..... • …To data (suitable for import into other systems) • Via the use of the EBSR process and the TransXChange/XML data format • …And making sure that this data can be reproduced in a readable format • Using the TransXChange Publisher

8. The Role of EBSR An electronic business system and process to register a bus service with the Traffic Commissioners and VOSA A formal transaction between parties:- Operators LTAs / PTEs VOSA A system that can carry the full information required downstream by:- LTAs Traveline Transport Direct Other information systems

9. Benefits Produce schedule once, then share, import & edit electronically Reduce re-keying of schedules Re-use schedules for operations, publicity, traveline, real-time etc. Improve timeliness Reduce errors Reduce operational costs Improved visibility of route/timetable details for operator, local authority/PTE, VOSA etc.

10. Outline Process/Timelines Service Start Date Pre-56 days 56 days 28 days Share updates Pre-Registration discussions with LA Finalise operational details for info. systems Submit Registration to VOSA Clarify any queries on Registration Registration in operation LA consider imapct on services VOSA acceptance. LA notified. Details available from VOSA Preapre information needed for e.g RTI systems (more detail than for registrations)

11. Timeline VOSA EBSR pilot capability enabled 1 Jun 2007 Registrations submitted from 14 Aug 2007 EBSR became VOSA operational service 20 Sep 2007 Technology launch at York INFORM 8 Nov 2007 VOSA moved pilot to ‘business as usual’ 14 Dec 2007 EBSR Launch by Secretary of State 31 Jan 2008

12. Progress EBSR is now a fully live service Operational service at VOSA since December 2007 Formal launch by Secretary of State January 2008 Only one outage since EBSR became operational That was the failure of an external web service used in the process 5 registration failures One of which has led to fix in EBSR Publisher Service characteristics of successful e-registrations include:- Linear routes Express journeys Forked routes Complex Services (Circulars, Cloverleaf, Lollipop routes etc.) Special day timetables Frequent Services/Long Routes (275 vehicle journeys & 75 stop points) Pick-up/set-down only H&R

13. Service Registrations & EBSR At end May 2009

14. Rollout – Larger Operators Planned: All remaining Stagecoach companies by end 2009 Further Arriva companies, linked to RTI & other data exchange needs by end 2009 Firstgroup testing TransXChange file creation & transfer Firstgroup pilot EBSR implementation in Edinburgh & Lothians EYMS pilot implementation starts in 2009 National Express Group pilot data exchange trials in Coventry National Express West Midlands transition during 2009 Under consideration: EBSR Evaluation by National Express Coaches TransXChange evaluation by Go Ahead

15. Local Authorities & EBSR At 12 June 2009

16. Rollout – Smaller Operators Various LAs/ PTEs intending to include EBSR in their bus contracting arrangements Review of internal processes/ systems Consider timing with technology refresh EBSR just small part of electronic bus service tendering system Prior experience in London may be relevant Consider including agency service for small operator commercial registrations Consider joint work with neighbouring authorities Technical trials started: Norfolk Kent Buckinghamshire Metro South Yorkshire PTE

17. EBSR Submissions At end May 2009

18. Implementing EBSR

19. The Transition to EBSR Before an operator switches to EBSR there needs to be an agreed transition process in place Manage the transition from paper to electronic Local meetings with operators, LTAs and traveline regions before the EBSR process starts Review EBSR process as it would work for local depots Establish stakeholder requirements & opportunities Review local NaPTAN quality/stop updating Existing registrations submitted as EBSRs to compare current with electronic data. Resolve any discrepancies Convert fully to EBSR - No reversion to paper!

20. The Benefits of EBSR for Local Authorities Faster production of information for leaflets, roadside displays, etc Faster supply of data to traveline More efficient working with real-time systems Less effort creating interpolation of stop times Develop/ use tools to compare the proposed against the existing registration From second electronic version onwards

21. Other Possible Uses of this Data? Better links with accessibility planning/ Local Transport Plan Quicker updating of “Accession” data – the annual snapshot of bus service schedules Smaller operators Working through LTA or others as a registration agent Potential for TXC to be used within LA contract procedures

22. What do Local Authorities Need for EBSR & TXC? VOSA set up a mailbox on their system where EBSRs for your area are lodged LAs/PTEs need to set up an EBSR email address and register this with VOSA VOSA will advise LAs/PTEs of new registrations received for your area EBSR files with TXC data made available to LAs/PTEs. How will these be processed? Import to local systems? TXC Publisher?

23. The Benefits of EBSR for Operators Simpler process Create data once for a variety of uses No more photocopying/faxing/posting to LAs etc. Fewer queries about proposed registrations Clear version of what is registered (PDF from VOSA) No risk of missing out Authorities that should receive a copy of the registration More efficient supply of data to travel information systems Simpler working with real-time systems

24. What do Operators Need for EBSR & TXC? Need to have the capability of producing EBSR or TXC data Scheduling system Use an agent Work with local authorities On-line system? Make VOSA and affected local authorities aware of your plans Develop a transition plan – moving from paper to electronic