MENU
SEARCHThe announcement comes with Optibus’ signing of HADAG, the ferry operator for the city of Hamburg, Germany, for its Planning, Scheduling, Rostering, and Operations software solution.
Optibus’ expansion from the roads to the seas will first see the company’s software optimize ferry travel in Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany.
Photo: Optibus
Optibus announced its expansion beyond the bus sector into ferry operations.
The announcement comes with Optibus’ signing of HADAG, the ferry operator for the city of Hamburg, Germany, for its Planning, Scheduling, Rostering, and Operations software solution.
Until now, Optibus has focused on fine-tuning its software to meet the needs of fixed-route bus networks, which are at the core of almost every public transportation network around the world
Demand for Optibus’ software and innovation within the bus sector has seen Optibus hit a series of milestones. Usage of Optibus’ software grew to 4,000 cities across 35 countries in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.
Buses are only one way of transporting passengers from A to B. In many of the cities where Optibus’ software is used, the transportation network includes multiple modes of mobility.
Optibus is now expanding its technology beyond the bus sector. Starting with ferry operators.
Optibus’ expansion from the roads to the seas will first see the company’s software optimize ferry travel in Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany.
There, HADAG, the city’s publicly-owned ferry operator and a subsidiary of Hamburger Hochbahn, will implement Optibus’ entire end-to-end system, consisting of Planning, Scheduling, Rostering, and Operations products, across their departments to digitize their manual and paper-based workflows and bring the benefits and usability of cloud-native technology to their operation.
HADAG is a historic player in Hamburg’s passenger transportation network. Established in 1888, its network spans 330,000 nautical miles of the River Elbe (the equivalent of circling the world 11 times).
Its fleet comprises 26 vessels that can transport anywhere between 114 and 250 passengers at a time, and - just as in the bus sector - is being upgraded to replace diesel-electric models with electric hybrids to become a zero-emissions fleet.
In addition to enhancing its fleet, HADAG is investing in its planning and operational infrastructure. Using Optibus’ software, the ferry operator will introduce artificial intelligence, optimization algorithms, and cloud technology to its workflows.
The software’s user-friendly interface makes these advanced tools easy for anyone to master. This was a consideration for HADAG, as their schedulers and dispatchers have a diverse workload that also includes operating ships.
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
Read More →
Vehicles that improperly use busways and bus lanes, block bus stops, or illegally double-park will receive warning notices in the mail for an initial period of 60 days, followed by summonses thereafter.
Read More →
The project, finalized on February 12, provides the city with two different configurations of high-definition cameras to outfit 16 buses in the Pretzel City Area Transit fleet.
Read More →
Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.
Read More →
The service will offer free connections to major bus stops and park-and-rides, linking customers to NJ TRANSIT’s fixed-route bus network.
Read More →
See how MARTA’s better Breeze system came to life, from construction to installation across stations.
Read More →
The proposed acquisition of a company with deep digital expertise and expected 2026 revenues of over $220 million marks a significant step in Hitachi Rail’s strategy to operate as a leading global digital mobility player, the company said.
Read More →
The farebox is no longer just a payment machine. Learn how agencies are using new tech and pricing strategies to rethink how riders pay for transit.
Read More →
The board authorized a five-year contract, with two one-year options, to Tolar Manufacturing Company Inc., for the fabrication and installation of upgraded passenger amenities at bus stops across the DART Service Area.
Read More →
As motorcoaches navigate increasingly congested urban corridors filled with pedestrians, cyclists, scooters, and distracted drivers, safety leaders across the industry are confronting a growing challenge: visibility.
Read More →
