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.
Santa Monica, Calif., to use Siemens tracking technology
Use of this system will improve on-time performance, operational efficiency, driver and passenger safety and the overall quality of service.
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