The Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures will support the Road Company Terceirense Lda in the introduction of multi-platform geolocation system, which will provide users with diversified information on the public transport systems within the SIRIART (Incentive System to Reduce Environmental Impact and Fleet Renewal in Regular Public Passenger Transport).

Hence, the public passenger transport on Terceira Island will provide the public with important information systems in the last quarter of 2010, including the introduction of smart bus stops to inform the user about the arrival and departure of buses and the forecast of waiting time in urban centres. Moreover, users may rely on information kiosks to consult timetables, routes and fares. 

The package of innovations also includes a unique SMS service that provides real time information on the arrival and departure timetables in any part of the circuit and a web platform with the geolocalisation of vehicle in real time.

The Government expects to implement a pilot video surveillance experience in vehicles.

In order to implement the geolocalisation system, the company, through the SIRIART incentives, will create a computer and communication platform to connect the central services, buses (GPS), bus stops and the multimedia kiosks. This platform will also work as an important tool for fleet management as well as for the rationalisation of costs and energy efficiency.

Likewise the initiative of the governmental department on S. Miguel, the Road Company Terceirense, Lda provides information on timetables, routes and fares at the website www.evt.pt in order to improve the information and the services rendered to the public.

Thus, the Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures, in a partnership with the concessionary company, takes a significant step to gradually improve the information system for users, in compliance with the Resolution of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores no.17/2009/A, in order to carry out the technological modernisation and the provision of information on the public transport system.

Nearly 183 thousand Euros is the total investment estimated for the first stage of this project.

One should remind that in the beginning of the pervious year, the Government of the Azores awarded financial incentives to six regional companies, the amount being of 1.8 million Euros, to subsidise the purchase of 17 buses for regular passenger transport on the islands of S. Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Graciosa.

For the current year, the Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures estimates the purchase of two trolleybuses, which will be operated by the transport system of Terceira Island under the HIBRIMAC project.