​Travelers worldwide can now use Google Maps to check whether the buses in Kristiansand are coming, and when they will arrive at the stop points.

AKT is the first transit company in the Nordic Countries to deliver realtime data via GTFS (General Transit Feed Specifications), which is a common format used to display public transport information, initially developed with the help of Google. The realtime data from AKT’s system is provided by Consat Telematics.

“Google’s GTFS is currently the best way to deliver realtime information to all current and potential travelers, both on a local and global level. It’s designed in a way that can really simplify their daily lives”, says Thomas Ottosson, Vice President of Consat Telematics.

The travelers, who already have access to other realtime information such as road traffic and bicycle lanes, can now select the most efficient option between bus, car and bicycle thanks to the addition of realtime public transport information. All this data is also available without requiring the download of a local app or other solutions which do not always cover all needs, and which might also be problematic for tourists or those who seldom use public transport.

Public transport operators can now provide forecasts alongside static timetables to their customers, which greatly improves the ease of their traveling experience and thereby can increase the use of public transport.

Buses and trains are usually a more time-efficient means of travel than cars, which can easily be shown with realtime data. With all available information at their fingertips, travelers can make a quick and well-informed choice for their travels. Alternatively, travelers can leave it up to their mobile phone to make that decision, by synching the alarm to the realtime traffic information. If there are unexpected delays causing longer travel times due to an accident or roadwork, the traveler can be awakened a little earlier so they can still arrive at their destination on time.

Consat is Scandinavia’s largest provider of Intelligent Transport System solutions (ITS) and currently offers GTFS realtime publishing via its ITS4mobility platform. Thunder Bay Transit in Canada and Agder Kollektivtrafikk in Kristiansand, Norway, are the very first customers to expand their ITS4mobility systems with this feature.

“There is a lot of talk in the industry about open data and accessibility to the public, but there are few who actually deliver. Consat will take the lead and show that it’s possible. We are convinced that more customers will choose to share their data this way, once they are made aware of the opportunities” says Mr. Ottosson.