When taking the bus in Hangzhou, you can scan the QR code on the electronic screen to know the arrival time.
Therefore, taking the bus is as convenient as taking the taxi. You can catch the bus once you get out of the subway station during peak hours. These travel changes are actually due to the “digital bus” that Hangzhou Bus has been working to build in recent years.
The reporter visited the data platform at the Hangzhou Bus Building. A string of numbers appeared on the big screen. The city has 1,229 bus lines and more than 20,000 stations. The real-time display shows 7,533 operating buses, more than 510,000 kilometers of mileage, and nearly one million passenger flows. Such a large bus network not only has dense data but also a lot of dynamic data analysis. How does it “change automatically”?
As early as 2017, Hangzhou Bus Group was creating a framework for digital integrity. With the use of mobile payment, version 1.0 “Data Brain” of Hangzhou Bus was launched. After several years, it has developed to version 3.0. From version 1.0 to 3.0, it is a process of digital bus growth. “Version 1.0 collection is based on data and moves these data to the ‘cloud’, which is relatively simple, while version 2.0 builds modules, that is, individual applications, such as line, parking lot, monitoring, etc. Today’s version 3.0 improves the original functional platform, opens up many scenarios, and forms an integrated management.” Luo Xunqi, deputy director of the Institute of Strategic Development of Hangzhou Public Transport, introduced.
The staff can sit in the “BI Tool”. He can analyze the current passenger flow, see passenger flow concentration, and manage the online network to intelligently dispatch buses. At the same time, he can manage smart stations, customized buses, information services, public bicycles, and other sections. Version 3.0 is no longer a function display, but can directly operate the applications.
Data empowers bus operations and management to improve travel experience.
The data are mainly divided into three parts: one is daily operations, such as passenger flow, lines, and dispatch; the second is safety management, such as driver training, daily bus operation supervision, etc.; the third is related to passengers, such as the electronic screen of the bus station, the query on the app, etc.
The overall efficiency of bus operations has improved, so where is the ultimate foothold? Luo Xuqi said that the foothold is on the passengers. They can enjoy more convenient public transportation services. Their customized services have greatly improved the travel experience, so as to promote the high-quality development of public transportation in Hangzhou.