Mayor István Tarlós has inaugurated the so-called Futár, the new traffic management and passenger information system of Budapest, operated from the dispatcher centre of the Centre for Budapest Transport.
We often find a predictable novel or movie boring, however in real life we dislike the unexpected, and we have a desire for predictable, calculable things. Computability, the ability to pre-plan is crucial in transport. The Futár, following the most modern technological achievements, ensures that the users of Budapest public transport reach their destinations as quickly as possible, said István Tarlós during the ceremony. The dispatchers of the traffic management centre are already observing the traffic by using GPS-based tracking, thus they are able to continuously control the vehicles operating on the ground, or in case of a sudden turmoil they can organize tram or metro replacement much easier, announced the Mayor.
Onboard computers, which are necessary elements of the Futár, are already operating on 1597 buses, 557 trams, and 141 trolley buses. All new or recently purchased vehicles had been equipped with these, just as in the case of all operating buses. The development of the system required an investment of 7 billion HUF, and partially has been realized with EU subsidies.
