Optibus, a next-generation mobility platform provider to mass transport agencies and operators, launched its Optibus Route Planning system — a new set of capabilities within the Optibus Platform. T

Together with the previously announced Optibus Timetables, Optibus Route Planning brings modern, cloud-native solutions to transportation agencies and operators around the world, giving them the ability to quickly and more flexibly plan mass transportation on one holistic platform from routes and timetables, vehicle, and crew scheduling, to weekly rosters (rotas).

"The biggest conundrum regarding mass transportation routes is that while rider demand changes daily, weekly, and seasonally, routes are kept constant with some systems using the exact same routes for over 30 years," said Amos Haggiag, co-founder/CEO of Optibus. "Most scheduling and planning tools used today are inflexible and require long, laborious processes to make the simplest route changes. Our overarching goal is to modernize mass transportation solutions so that agencies and operators can better serve passengers by adapting routes to match demand."

The Optibus Route Planning module extends the power of Optibus' software-as-a-service (SaaS) and cloud-based planning and scheduling platform, allowing for quick and simple route creation and modification. Some of the capabilities of the Route Planning module include the ability to:

• Plan routes from scratch, including adding routes or adjusting them, by using the algorithmic power of Optibus' platform.

• View and modify routes via a modern and interactive user interface that uses the most up-to-date maps and satellite views; by drilling down into street-level pictures, users can easily see what the route and stops look like in real life from the driver's point of view.

• Move from the Route Planning module to the subsequent timetable, scheduling, and rosters (rotas) modules, creating a seamless workflow and ending the industry's dependence on disparate tools.

• Validate routes simply and effectively; the module points out errors to prevent extra work.

The Optibus platform is an end-to-end, SaaS offering that intelligently powers mass transportation. It creates an operational plan and schedule that orchestrates the movements of every vehicle and driver in a city-wide transportation ecosystem, choosing the best options available to transit operators and agencies and creating better service for passengers with lower operating costs.