Palm Tran Upgrading Transit Technology

For immediate release: August 5, 2009
Contact: Jessica Dumars, 561-841-4245 Senior Public Relations Specialist

Palm Tran, Palm Beach County’s public transportation agency, is in the process of upgrading to a new system of transit technology. An automated vehicle location (AVL) system is currently being installed on all Palm Tran fixed-route buses with full installation scheduled to be completed during the fall. Installation and consulting services for the AVL project are being provided by Avail Technologies.

The AVL system uses global positioning satellite technology to provide accurate bus location information. Upgrading to the AVL system presents real benefits to Palm Tran and its passengers, including:

Improved safety and security for customers and employees;
Improved service reliability and real-time bus schedule information for customers;
Improved collection of route and passenger data for use during Palm Tran’s service planning process.

As part of this upgrade, Palm Tran will be installing real-time digital bus location/schedule information signs at 18 major bus stop locations to improve the ease and reliability of using the bus service.

During the installation process, existing next-stop announcement systems onboard Palm Tran buses will be replaced, making the systems inoperative. Palm Tran’s bus operators will ensure that major intersections and transfer points are announced for passenger convenience. Additionally, commuters may see two buses traveling together, with the second bus displaying a “not in service” message. This is necessary to complete on-route testing of the AVL systems.

For route and schedule information, please call the customer service department at 561-841-4287.