Open data and bus reliability and punctuality – a changing landscape

11 April 2023

If a bus operator fails to operate its bus services in accordance with registered timetable, pursuant to the Transport Acts 1985, 2000 and the Transport (Scotland) Act, it risks large fines, claims for compensation and possibly being prevented from running registered services at all.

In addition, the Transport Manager of that bus operator can lose his good repute for failing to manage the operation in compliance with their timetabling requirements.

Why is data relevant?

The bus sector has experienced rapid development of real-time data systems and perhaps more importantly, increasingly sophisticated analysis systems for reviewing that data.  Coupled with this has been the requirement to provide that real-time data to the Bus Open Data System (BODS), the landscape is rapidly changing.

Why is this relevant to bus operators?

For the first time, the DVSA and the Office of the Traffic Commissioner have access to comprehensive real-time data including identifying whether or not bus operators are complying with their registered particulars. Not unexpectedly, they are beginning to start applying this knowledge for enforcement purposes.  The use of bus open-data in this way is in its infancy but is likely to rapidly form part of the enforcement regime going forward. Given the penalties for not complying, this is becoming a very relevant topic.

Any Public Inquiry into service punctuality/reliability will consider all aspects of the operators resourcing and managing (and this includes complaints handling systems) of their services, including tendered services, in the context of examining why the service is not operating within the law.

What can I do?

Directors and Transport Managers of bus operators therefore need to understand now what is expected of their operations regarding registered services and how to deal with challenging situations such as driver shortage, road works, weather issues and local council contracted services, and particularly complaints handling.

Join our bite-sized e-Training session on 13 April 2023 to find out:

• What the OTC and the DVSA expect.
• The penalties for non- compliance.
• The Defences.

If you have any queries, please contact the regulatory team on 01254 828300.  You can find out more about the team here.