Network timetable information for VBB

Covering more than 30,000 km², the VBB network area is roughly the size of Belgium and is therefore among the largest in Europe. In total, the 36 network members operate more than 1,000 routes and call at more than 13,000 stops each day. In addition, the timetable information across the VBB network integrates numerous connections from companies in neighbouring regions. The VBB has now commissioned IVU to continue managing data integration until the end of 2024.

Standardised interfaces make it easier for the IVU engineers to import data from the various planning systems and ensure reliable data harmonisation. At the same time, IVU.pool allows data on walking distances, transfer times or accessibility information to be added to the timetable information. Thanks to a special component, on-demand buses not connected with a route or the BerlKönig BC shuttle bus can also be modelled in IVU.pool and output in the VBB’s timetable information.

“The functional scope of the IVU.pool system that is used enables a high degree of efficiency and cost effectiveness in editing and is one of the reasons why we awarded the contract for data integration to IVU following the tender,” said Alexander Pilz, Head of Passenger Information at the VBB. “In addition, we profit from IVU’s long-standing expertise that comes into play in extraordinary situations such as those related to the coronavirus pandemic in particular.”

In order to incorporate the regular changes to the timetables due to pandemic-related developments in a timely manner, the IVU engineers updated the VBB timetable twice as often as they normally would. Besides specialist support, IVU is responsible for all technical administration of IVU.pool. In future, the system will be fully hosted in the IVU.cloud, the powerful servers of which enable higher performance and even faster data preparation.

“The VBB is an important reference client for IVU.pool right on our doorstep, which makes receiving this renewed order now all the more pleasing,” said Lutz Trostorf, responsible division manager at IVU. “It underlines the fact that we as a system supplier and service provider present an attractive offering – and can use it to take care of important network tasks.”