KORID LK is celebrating its 20th anniversary! How are the timetables being prepared?

A pencil, paper, and a calculator? We don't use those anymore (as a rule).

To prepare timetables, we use the Edison software from M-line. This product offers a comprehensive solution for public transportation issues for both organizers and operators. KORID, as an organizer, primarily uses two modules: timetables and connections. We plan to use a third module for routes, which are currently being prepared in Excel. Another tool that assists in timetable creation is the regional NISA GO portal, where distances between individual stops are measured with an accuracy of tens of meters. Last but not least, the technology specialist also works in the field, where they monitor the situation directly in real-time and stay in contact with representatives of municipalities, schools, and employers to gain as much insight as possible into passengers’ transportation needs.

In the timetable module, a specific timetable for a given route is prepared, the route (i.e., the stops, each of which has its own specific number according to the nationwide information system), the locations of the individual stops, and the schedule for each service—including departure times from stops and any layover times. Each service typically has certain restrictions; for example, it may operate only on weekdays, school days, weekends, during the summer or winter seasons, etc. Other specifics are also defined, such as the use of low-floor vehicles, small-capacity vehicles, bicycle transport, and—especially on long-distance routes—the availability of Wi-Fi or the option to reserve a seat. Some stops are for alighting only or are served in Radiobus mode; most stops are on-demand and are also assigned to a specific zone in the IDS IDOL system, and in the case of inter-regional routes, to the IDS system of the neighboring region as well. All of this is configured in the timetable module. Predefined templates are available for posters at stops and for publishing timetables on the website, in various versions, including those for inter-regional routes. The data outputs are .isy and .jdf files, which the regional office then forwards to the CIS (National Information System), and the transit operator uploads them to the on-board computer. Thanks to this, passengers can look up current schedules online, and information displays at terminals and bus stations also draw on this data. Drivers have access to route information and departure times from individual stops via their onboard terminals, so they know where to go and when to leave . Information displayed on buses—such as external and internal electronic panels and audio announcements—also draws on this data.

To ensure reliable transfers between individual connections, waiting times are entered into the connection module. Currently, guaranteed transfers between bus services and bus wait times for trains are being defined; this year, we will also test train wait times for buses, but we must wait until the period of railway closures—of which there are a great many this year—has passed. The driver also receives this information on the dispatch terminal.