Lancashire County Council has initiated a new partnership with the Cambridge-based AI firm Alchera Technologies, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the region’s bus network. This collaboration is part of a broader commitment by the council to improve public transport services, support economic growth, and promote environmentally friendly practices within the community.
The involvement of Alchera Technologies highlights a significant shift towards leveraging advanced automation methodologies within local governance frameworks. The company's automated software will analyse operational data from the Bus Open Data Service (BODS) to identify potential improvements in the service delivery of public buses across Lancashire. This effort aims to address critical issue areas, or "pinch-points", which often hamper the flow of traffic, ultimately decreasing congestion on busy routes and incentivising more residents to opt for public transport over private vehicles.
Martin Porter, Specialist Advisor for Intelligent and Sustainable Mobility at Lancashire County Council, commented on the partnership, stating, “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Alchera, which supports Lancashire County Council’s commitment to deliver better services, protect our environment, support economic growth and care for the vulnerable.” He further emphasized that enhancing the region’s bus services aligns with these objectives and noted that Alchera’s software will facilitate more effective resource management.
This agreement is part of a continuing collaboration between the council and Alchera, which has seen the two work together on various significant initiatives, including the Transforming Cities Fund and the Bus Service Improvement Plan. These prior projects aim to secure substantial public funding through proposals associated with the Levelling Up Fund.
In addition to improving service efficiency, the deployment of AI is expected to ease compliance with statutory reporting requirements set by the Department for Transport. By harnessing real-time data, the system will enable the council to adapt its bus network priorities quickly as conditions change, ensuring that responses to operational challenges are timely and effective.
The current move towards AI-driven improvements reflects growing trends in the transportation sector, where automation is seen as a catalyst for better service delivery and ultimately greater patronage of public transport systems.
Source: Noah Wire Services