Williamson and Miller – A PERSONALISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT DIRECTORY 1981

Description

Wootton Jeffreys & Partners developed BUSMAN, a modular, user-friendly computer suite for public transport operators that includes the Personalised Public Transport Directory (PPTD). PPTD produces neighbourhood-focused ‘‘how to get there’’ travel information—showing routes, interchanges, walking links, frequencies, fares and journey times—rather than conventional single-route timetables. Intended to raise ridership by reducing information barriers, it can generate small-area printed directories, bus-stop displays and on-line journey enquiries. The system relies on a master database of timetables, network links, route paths, nodes and zones, with editing and validation tools to keep data current. A Bury area test (267 zones, 54 routes) demonstrated fast enquiry responses and practical bus-stop printouts tailored to each node. BUSMAN supports multiple simultaneous users, is password-protected and adaptable for different operators; it is already used by several UK PTEs and overseas. Future development envisages fare integration, time-windowed route options, real‑time displays and home access via PRESTEL/VIEWDATA.