PubliCar Thusis
On-demand scheduled services in the evening and at night
PubliCar Thusis is an on-demand route service that covers services on nine routes with three to four vehicles from 5.30 p.m. until the end of service. The concept is extremely widespread in the Canton of Graubünden. Journeys can be booked online.
Anchor Navigation
Background
The on-demand bus service in the evening and at night is an established service in the municipalities around Thusis. Vehicle scheduling and journey pooling were implemented on an ad-hoc basis and based on telephone registrations. The PubliCar route service was introduced in 2021 to ensure greater operating efficiency and to improve the reservation process.
Goals
Automation of the entire operating process, from booking and vehicle scheduling with ride pooling to the driver request in the cockpit via Push in the driver app.
Concept
The online booking option for passengers was implemented and increased operating efficiency achieved without modifying the service. The timetables on the routes are coordinated with those of RhB trains. Journeys between the municipalities run via the railway station and must also be reserved as such. Reservations via app are not mandatory for passengers travelling from Thusis.
Service
PubliCar Thusis runs daily from 5.30 p.m. until the end of service at 1 a.m. It covers the routes and locations indicated in the timetable. Detailed information can be found in the online timetable and the SBB Mobile app.
Timetables are approximate and connections are guaranteed in Thusis.
Swiss public transport fares and tickets apply to the entire service. There are no special surcharges.
Results
The concept presents challenges for software and operation. As a result of the reservation system from Thusis, passengers without reservations cannot be taken into account in automatic dispatch planning. This means that the operator is constantly required to transport passengers on an ad-hoc basis and outside of automatic dispatch planning. This results in delays and deviations from planned operations.
Scheduled route concepts require the use of one vehicle per route. Mapping several routes with a single vehicle involves complicated software configuration. Attempts to operate the route service in the background as part of an area transport concept did not achieve the desired improvements for customers or the operator.
Development
There are no plans to develop the service as area transport. Current customer requirements are covered by the existing service.
