Press release
Thetis to provide and maintain satellite system for public transport service in Rome’s periphery
The essential components of the system are a reliable control room staffed with 6 operators and computerized systems aboard the buses that meet the stringent contractual obligations defined by Rome’s Mobility Agency. On each of the 450 buses in service, there will be a touchscreen terminal run by a high-performance computer for the driver, a 4-camera video-surveillance system to prevent anti-intrusion, a system to count the number of passengers getting on and off the bus, video screens and loudspeakers that automatically announce the next stop and finally a multimedia television system for automated advertisements. Other features include a GPS system that enables remote determination of the bus’s location and accessory equipment for exchanging data with the control centre and the 6 overnight depots. At the terminal, a screen on the front of each bus provides an estimated departure time.
This new-generation system was conceived by Rome‘s Mobility Agency to ensure efficient, safe and functional management of the bus fleet and to monitor adherence to the planned schedule.
The control centre monitors all in-service buses in real time, checking to determine if they are running on schedule. Any divergence from the planned schedule (due to accidents, heavy traffic, etc.) is detected in real time, allowing corrective measures to be taken and thereby ensuring the best possible service.
An important aspect of the system is that it creates daily and monthly reports detailing the routes that were actually completed and adherence to the schedule. These reports are automatically generated based on satellite positioning data and take into account documented problems (accidents, changes in routes due to road construction, delays due to heavy traffic, etc.). They are used by the Mobility Agency as a basis for payment for the service, with compensation determined by the actual kilometres driven and punctuality.
This type of contractual relationship is innovative for Italy, though it has been tested in Rome since the 2000 Jubilee.
Last year the City of Rome, through its Mobility Agency, held a European tender offer for the city’s periphery bus routes. These routes represent approximately 20% of the city’s public transport bus services, covering a total of 28 million km/year for 8 years and requiring an estimated 450 buses. The contract, awarded to Società Roma TPL, stipulates that the actual service provided will be paid for by the City of Rome at a rate of approximately 3.30 euro/km, based on the monthly reports discussed above. The City of Rome, through its Mobility Agency, will continue to collect the revenues generated from ticket sales. This type of contract differs from those used with city-owned enterprises in that it is based on objective verification of actual services provided and applies penalties for lack of adherence to the planned services.
A leading company on both the Italian and international stage, Thetis has been involved in several international projects, most notably sustainable mobility programmes in Beijing, China, and Delhi, India.
Thetis’ expertise was a deciding factor in its being selected to provide Roma TPL with a system that enables the company to document its services.
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