Tait to update Transport for London’s bus radios

Transport for London has selected Tait Communications as its provider for the replacement of London’s bus radio system.

The agreement will see Tait Communications manufacture and replace current communications infrastructure with a new digital mobile radio system.

It will provide coverage across Greater London and the terminal equipment on London’s fleet of almost 10,000 buses.

This critical communications upgrade is one element of Transport for London’s investment to extend and improve the British capital’s transport network. Every day, more than 31 million journeys are made across Transport for London’s public transport and main road networks.

New Zealand-headquartered Tait Communications has designed the upgraded system to be both resilient and futureproof, with multiple fall-back features. The on-bus equipment is based on Tait’s UnifyVehicle platform, which gives users access to multiple carrier standards in addition to mobile radio (ie, next-generation cellular and Wi-Fi), and the ability to run customised data applications to improve operational efficiency and the service provided to travellers.

“Christchurch-based Tait Communications has beaten out major manufacturers from around the world to do the work, worth around $30 million. It’s wonderful to see a New Zealand technology company being innovative and forward thinking to develop a resilient system for the UK capital,” said New Zealand’s Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister, Clare Curran.

Tait Europe Middle East and Africa Managing Director Andrew Gill said the company has a long history supplying Transport for London, and the extremely challenging procurement process run by Transport for London has resulted in real value for the customer and the travelling public.

“This model of procurement, one that allows for discussion and cooperative working between the customer and supplier, can foster wider competition and true long-term value for money. Tait’s Unify Vehicle digital platform that underpins this new solution creates the ability for TfL and Tait to partner in a long-term development relationship that will respond to TfL’s future and changing needs with agility and increased collaboration,” said Gill.

“In over 20 years in this industry, this has been one of the toughest and most robust processes I’ve worked on. At its core was Transport for London’s wish to foster a spirit of collaborative working with key suppliers and it’s this spirit which has allowed a mid-sized company to compete successfully against much larger competition.”

The decision to select Tait Communications means this crucial transport network will now move to an innovative, cost-effective solution that will assist Transport for London to continue improving its service to the public and be a model for other public transport providers.

“We have been careful to choose a solution that provides a low-risk transition from the existing analog technology and also integrates well with the future vision of TfL with open standards-based DMR technology and ease of integration with an accredited ITxPT (IT for Public Transport) supplier,” said Transport for London Head of Technology and Data: Surface Transport Simon Reed.

Transport for London’s bus network consists of over 650 contracted bus routes served by over 9500 vehicles with a network of over 19,000 bus stops.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/zoltangabor

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