Optibus, provider of real-time operations and planning for mass transportation, announced the launch of OnSchedule EV, a solution for the rapid and efficient deployment of electric buses, assisting municipalities and transportation operators in addressing the challenges of integrating electric buses into their existing fleets.
As cities throughout the world increasingly introduce electric buses into their fleets, they face significant logistical challenges — including time and frequency of charging and range. For example, a diesel bus takes on average five minutes to refuel and can travel 135-plus miles on a single fuel. An electric bus, however, takes on average three hours to charge and may need to be charged at least twice a day to manage the same distance.
Ad Loading...
“It’s not as simple as taking a diesel bus off the road and replacing it with a shiny new electric one,” said Amos Haggiag, co-founder and CEO of Optibus. “Cities want to run more electric buses but are unable to implement as fast as they would like, due to the challenges of deployment. Municipalities and transit operators find themselves ill-equipped to address these new requirements as their existing planning methods are outdated, and often manual.”
Optibus’ OnSchedule EV ensures that operators reap the benefits of reduced capital and operational costs by optimizing battery charging times and locations. Optibus’ proprietary algorithms factor in unlimited types of batteries, chargers, and charging locations to create optimal battery usage for fleets. The solution integrates electric buses into the existing routes and schedules without negatively impacting drivers or passengers, and seamlessly compliments the existing transportation plan without any additional installation or IT resources.
“Electric buses and autonomous vehicles will rapidly change the transportation industry and scheduling systems will have to undergo a technological overhaul to quickly adapt and take advantage of these new innovations. With our cloud-based solution, Optibus allows municipalities and mass transport operators to optimize their planning and operations, while using the latest technologies to enable a seamless integration of EVs into existing fleets,” Haggiag said.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.
Expected to enter service in 2029, these locomotives support the agency’s commitment to offer reliable and efficient rail transportation across South Florida.
Transit agencies depend on safe, reliable vehicles to deliver consistent service. This eBook examines how next-generation fleet software helps agencies move from reactive processes to proactive operations through automated maintenance, real-time safety insights, and integrated data. Learn how fleets are improving uptime, safety outcomes, and operational efficiency.
The new filters include substantially more activated carbon than traditional HVAC filters, which is especially helpful in providing a better transit riding experience for vulnerable populations, particularly children, seniors, and people with chronic illnesses, according to the CTA.
In a recent episode of METROspectives, LYT CEO Timothy Menard discusses how artificial intelligence, cloud connectivity, and real-time data are transforming traffic management, boosting bus reliability, and enabling system-wide transit optimization across cities.
