The use of computer for urban transit operations

The Societe de Transport de l´Outaouais (STO) has acquired five software packages to assist in its operations, and has made an effort to fully integrate them. The Societe´s initial acquisition was a software package to allow it to plan transit service. The Societe installed an automatic vehicle location system. A major component of this system is a module which allows transit users, either at home or at the office, to place a telephone call to know the actual arrival time for the next two buses on each of the routes listed at any given bus stop. The Societe has developed a software package to perform the daily and quarterly assignments of its bus drivers more effectively. The Societe has acquired a software package to assist its information agents to plan the optimum bus routes, according to rider preferences. The STO´s most recent acquisition is an executive information system. This system, based on the principle of management by exception, allows managers to conduct daily and monthly monitoring of the performance indicators which the STO has defined.