Santa Monica, Calif., to use Siemens tracking technology

The Big Blue Bus, the public transportation authority for the Santa Monica, Calif. area, will be adding an advanced fleet management system (AFMS, at a value of $6 million. The system, provided by Siemens Transportation Systems Integrated Local Government Division (ILG), will monitor transit vehicles by harnessing the power of satellite technology. Use of this system will improve on-time performance, operational efficiency, driver and passenger safety and the overall quality of service. The AFMS is part of Siemens' TransitMaster(TM) advanced public transportation system and will provide precise, GPS-based real-time bus location information to Big Blue Bus dispatchers and customers. Siemens will also provide the transit authority with computer-aided dispatching, automatic passenger counters, traveler information signs at stops, an on-vehicle announcement system and a new security system.