Spring has sprung! Catch up on what we've been up to...
- by Robin Bennett
- •
- 24 Apr, 2018
It's always good to be busy, but we've been so busy recently that we've only now had chance to catch our breath and tell you all about it. From new internal software for importing and processing TransXChange data to rolling out a programme of refreshing our inherited printed maps for our clients, there's been a lot going on while we've been waiting for Spring to start.
Our new cartographer Steve has made a great impression with new and existing clients by developing a new refreshed house style for our operator and local authority network maps. We have produced brand new maps in Norfolk for Lynx, Norfolk County Council, Sanders Coaches and West Norfolk Community Transport, ahead of major changes across the county this weekend - click here for our new Lynx network map. We're also refreshing all of Fife Council's multi-operator network and town plans and town plans for Lincolnshire County Council. Our goal has been to retain the accuracy we are known for but to inject far more visual appeal and ease of navigation into understanding often very complex bus networks. We've also carried out routine updates for Derbyshire, Devon, Durham, East Sussex and Essex County Councils and for high profile urban bus operators Brighton & Hove and Nottingham City Transport.
For Devon County Council, we have upgraded their online interactive network map website to be far more friendly for use on mobile and tablet, and we're also implementing enhancements to the essexbus.info and lincsbus.info websites to be more mobile friendly and to incorporate next bus departure lists on tens of thousands of bus stops across their areas. We are also enhancing the front end of the Lincsbus site to better reflect the county council's desire for this to be their one stop shop for all passenger transport information, and which will see real-time tracking of demand responsive Call Connect rural minibuses and more client control over service alerts and news items. It will also feature a webchat help function for users of the site to be able to talk directly to one of the county council's passenger transport team. To achieve this, we've enlisted the help of experienced software engineer Peter Mellett - check him out here.
In Norfolk, there are huge changes across the county because of Stagecoach's withdrawal from the area and the replacement of their routes by other operators. As well as the maps mentioned above, we've produced and delivered 325 bus stop departure posters and bus stop flag vinyls for the county council and bus operators, created TransXChange data for Sanders Coaches, helped in the design of branding for West Norfolk Community Transport's new Go to Town operation and delivered a set of new timetable leaflets for Lynx. We've also designed and delivered a brand new website for Sanders Coaches - click here to see it. So despite the disruption and upheaval, we've ensured that we have delivered timely, accurate and visually appealing printed and online aids to help residents and tourists navigate their way around the new network.
Internally, we have developed our own bespoke 'Transform' software for better importing and processing TransXChange bus route data and from it producing attractive, easy to understand PDF matrix timetables and route shape files, and next on the list will be far more automation of our bus stop departure posters. This is really exciting for us, and will enable us to really develop our data-led approach to public transport websites and on-street information tailored specifically to each client's individual requirements.
As well as more potential installments in the pipeline of our interactive journey planning kiosks, we've even found time to continue to support and develop our local plan websites and super-detailed property portfolio maps. Hopefully we'll also find time for a holiday now the weather's cheered up...
As always, if there's anything you think we can help you with in better informing your customers please get in touch. And thank you again, to our new and existing clients, for their support and enthusiasm.
Our new cartographer Steve has made a great impression with new and existing clients by developing a new refreshed house style for our operator and local authority network maps. We have produced brand new maps in Norfolk for Lynx, Norfolk County Council, Sanders Coaches and West Norfolk Community Transport, ahead of major changes across the county this weekend - click here for our new Lynx network map. We're also refreshing all of Fife Council's multi-operator network and town plans and town plans for Lincolnshire County Council. Our goal has been to retain the accuracy we are known for but to inject far more visual appeal and ease of navigation into understanding often very complex bus networks. We've also carried out routine updates for Derbyshire, Devon, Durham, East Sussex and Essex County Councils and for high profile urban bus operators Brighton & Hove and Nottingham City Transport.
For Devon County Council, we have upgraded their online interactive network map website to be far more friendly for use on mobile and tablet, and we're also implementing enhancements to the essexbus.info and lincsbus.info websites to be more mobile friendly and to incorporate next bus departure lists on tens of thousands of bus stops across their areas. We are also enhancing the front end of the Lincsbus site to better reflect the county council's desire for this to be their one stop shop for all passenger transport information, and which will see real-time tracking of demand responsive Call Connect rural minibuses and more client control over service alerts and news items. It will also feature a webchat help function for users of the site to be able to talk directly to one of the county council's passenger transport team. To achieve this, we've enlisted the help of experienced software engineer Peter Mellett - check him out here.
In Norfolk, there are huge changes across the county because of Stagecoach's withdrawal from the area and the replacement of their routes by other operators. As well as the maps mentioned above, we've produced and delivered 325 bus stop departure posters and bus stop flag vinyls for the county council and bus operators, created TransXChange data for Sanders Coaches, helped in the design of branding for West Norfolk Community Transport's new Go to Town operation and delivered a set of new timetable leaflets for Lynx. We've also designed and delivered a brand new website for Sanders Coaches - click here to see it. So despite the disruption and upheaval, we've ensured that we have delivered timely, accurate and visually appealing printed and online aids to help residents and tourists navigate their way around the new network.
Internally, we have developed our own bespoke 'Transform' software for better importing and processing TransXChange bus route data and from it producing attractive, easy to understand PDF matrix timetables and route shape files, and next on the list will be far more automation of our bus stop departure posters. This is really exciting for us, and will enable us to really develop our data-led approach to public transport websites and on-street information tailored specifically to each client's individual requirements.
As well as more potential installments in the pipeline of our interactive journey planning kiosks, we've even found time to continue to support and develop our local plan websites and super-detailed property portfolio maps. Hopefully we'll also find time for a holiday now the weather's cheered up...
As always, if there's anything you think we can help you with in better informing your customers please get in touch. And thank you again, to our new and existing clients, for their support and enthusiasm.