United Kingdom, 2005-May-19
London’s six million regular bus passengers are to benefit from an improved service after Siemens won a £120 million (€175 million) contract from Transport for London.
In what will be the largest project of its kind in the world, Siemens will track and monitor London’s 8,000 buses using satellite navigation technology.
The project is part of Transport for London’s (TfL) five-year investment programme in which a total of £10 billion (€14.7 billion) will be spent to deliver improvements to existing services and new projects.
The new systems will provide better real-time information to passengers so they can see a more accurate predicted arrival time at 2,000 bus shelters around the city.
Nick Rendell, UK head of Siemens’ telematics business, said: “This is an innovative project which will improve the quality of services for passengers and improve the performance of the capital’s buses. The new systems will also help to prevent buses from bunching or running early.”
Wolfgang Dehen, CEO of Siemens VDO Automotive, said: “Transport for London will benefit from Siemens' ability to design, deploy, maintain and operate this complex system. It will also benefit from Siemens’ 40 years experience of supplying successful public transport solutions to customers around the world.”
Buses run by London’s 30 private operating companies will be fitted with the new technology over the next four years. Siemens VDO Automotive will supply the technology and Siemens Business Services will install and maintain it for 10 years.
The bus network in London is one of the largest and most comprehensive urban transport systems in the world which is used by 6 million people on 700 routes every weekday. Siemens is the world's number one supplier of public transport solutions with more than 150 systems operating successfully worldwide.
Peter Hendy, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “Providing modern and accurate information systems to our passengers is critical to attracting more people onto London Buses and to ensuring we have a world-class public transportation system.”
The new technology would also play a crucial role in helping to transport the millions of visitors London expects if its bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is successful.
Notes to editors
Siemens VDO Automotive will supply new advanced system components and Siemens Business Services will provide programme management, installation and operational services to Transport for London.
About Siemens
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 162 years ago. The company employs 20,317 people in the UK, including about 5,000 in the manufacturing sector.
With annual revenues of £2.6 billion, including exports of almost £400 million, Siemens provides innovative, high-quality services and solutions to customers in a diverse range of industry sectors comprising: power, automation and control, information and communication, medical, transportation, lighting, and household.
Siemens operates through a de-centralised structure, with its headquarters in Bracknell, Berkshire. The company’s structure reflects that of its parent company, Siemens AG, headquartered in Munich, Germany.
About London Buses
The London bus network is one of the largest and most comprehensive urban systems in the world. Each weekday 8,000 London buses carry 6 million passengers on over 700 different routes.
Bus use is up by 11 per cent over the past year (03/04) - an extra 168 million passenger trips
The number of passengers using buses is at its highest level since 1968
Night bus use is up by 29 per cent over the past year
London Buses is running the highest volume of service on London's roads than at any time since 1957
For more information about London Bus Services, click here.
Mr. Rob Simpson
Corporate Communications, Siemens plc
Further information
Tel: +44 (0)1344 396338
Fax: +44 (0)1344 396693