Optimal Scheduling of Buses and Drivers for the Long Distance sector

GoalBus®LD is a software solution aiming to optimally solve the planning of vehicles and drivers in interurban passenger bus transport companies. A software for the management of long distance buses with great versatility and customizing capability, which allows a great deal of parameters to solve any situation affecting the bus fleet and staff. As a result it is possible to solve, in a single model, a wide range of scenarios which may occur in an easy and understandable way.

GoalBus®LD  is designed to offer an optimal solution for the planning of long distance bus transport companies in terms of vehicles and drivers. Accordingly, the software for the management of long distance buses efficiently minimizes the cost function of transport planning in which all service quality and economic variables of the company intervene.

GoalBus®LD is, therefore, an information system with which it is possible to perform the scheduling and rostering of the vehicle fleet, drivers and other on-board staff for a defined period. This way, the services corresponding to each type of resource, as well as its assignment and rostering, are generated in a single calculation. The result is the highest degree of optimization and, as a consequence, an important cost saving for the company.

GoalBus®LD is complimented by  GoalDriver® (which allows the optimal assignment of vehicles and human resources to services, for the planning of other collectives subject to shifts in transport companies), and by  GoalBus® (follow-up and management of the daily operations), giving a complete solution of resource planning in the company, fully integrated with the rest of information systems of the company.

Description of GoalBus®LD  current and additional Modules

Optimal generation of bus services module: creates definitions of the network, commercial services offered, and bus types, in order to carry out weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, or other planning of timetables, vehicle use, and maintenance schedules. Optimizes costs, adjusts the planning solution to service conditions, and reduces non-revenue travel.

Optimal assignment of driver shifts for vehicles module: carries out weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, or other scheduling of driver shifts as well as relief and rest break schedules, in order to optimize costs while complying with workplace regulations and obligations.

Scenario management module: modeling based upon the company’s standards, applicable contractual agreements, commercial services offered, transit network in place, and day-to-day operational scenarios.

Report and statistics generation module: a full set of customizable reports to cover all of the company’s operational needs, based upon each customer’s specific set of characteristics.

Integration module: contains the protocols for interfacing with the customer’s own company computer systems, such as localization systems, management systems, payroll systems, etc.

Dispatching and monitoring modules: management of daily operations, allowing manual scheduling adjustments as well as creation or suspension of services based upon incidents that may occur.

Web Module: provides users with Internet-based access to the full functionality of the tools from any location.

Processes in which GoalBus®LD is involved:

The tool fulfills the planning needs for a variety of corporate stakeholders:

As the main GoalBus® LD benefits we can emphasize:

Goal Systems long-distance transport software is a world-class solution that guarantees complete and ideal solutions for your organization.

Optimizes services offered and their quality: fits the services offered to existing demand, maximizes sales, guarantees services at the lowest costs, and guarantees compliance with your service-quality goals.

Optimizes use of bus fleets: guarantees minimal use of vehicles, plans maintenance schedules, reduces investment in new vehicles, and reduces unproductive use of existing vehicles.

Optimizes driver and crew productivity: optimizes sizing for number of driver shifts and those for other personnel, allowing more services to be provided with the same amount of human resources dedicated.

Optimizes services offered to passengers: insures compliance with commercial timetables and provides quick responses to changes in passenger demand.

Guarantees compliance with contractual agreements: applies social costs during planning, distributes work shifts equally, and provides tools for negotiation.

Adjust operations to current conditions: makes changes in terms of time zones, tolls, countries, rest stops, bus cleaning and refueling needs, etc., with solutions calculated based upon realistic scenarios.

Optimizes your company’s strategic decision-making: simulates new scenarios, new concessions, new contracts, etc., in order to obtain the most appropriate solution for your needs, by taking all of your company’s parameters into account.