
News, trends, research and best practice
EBooks
The Passenger Satisfaction Playbook
The most common passenger concerns and what bus operators can do to alleviate them.
The Road to Recovery
Restoring passenger faith in public transport and planning for recovery as lockdowns ease.
Bus Network Development Strategy for the ‘New Normal’
How bus operators can react and adapt to the ‘new normal’ using the latest tools and technologies.
The Data-Driven Bus Operator
How big data, AI and machine learning are being used by modern bus operators around the world.
From our blog
Meet the team: Vijani Bulumulla
Vijani Bulumulla, our Senior UX/UI Designer, on why she chose to work here; what an 'average' day looks like for our design team; and what makes CitySwift different.
Data fuels Go North West’s response to the pandemic
Go North West uses data to help deliver its response to Covid-19 – an example of how modern bus operators use emerging tech to deliver services day-in and day-out.
Six positive outcomes from the Covid crisis
Our panelists were in a buoyant mood at the Scheduler of the Year Award. Rather than dwell on the negative impacts of Covid, they offered us six positive outcomes.
‘The trick is to make a difficult job look easy’
We caught up with Trentbarton’s Richard Sherratt, who was named as the inaugural winner of the Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year Award last month.
CitySwift wins UITP Global Startup Challenge
Flying the flag for Ireland, CitySwift has won the UITP Global Startup Challenge at IT-TRANS 2020.
SwiftConnect awarded 'Technology Innovation of the Year'
Our SwiftConnect bus capacity prediction tech won the prestigious ‘Technology Innovation of the Year’ Award at the 28th Annual Technology Ireland Industry Awards.
Richard Sherratt: Scheduler of the Year 2020
Trentbarton's Richard Sherratt received the Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year Award at a virtual ceremony that included a tribute to our friend and colleague Joe Wood.
The Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year Award is back
Relaunched as a live, virtual event, the Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year Award will be presented on Thursday, 19th November 2020.
‘It's not the future anymore. It's the present’
East Yorkshire's Claire Robinson tells us how data has changed everything for the bus operator - from ticketing to timetables - and how it enables social distancing.
Case Study: The Go-Ahead Group – When2Travel
CitySwift partnered with The Go-Ahead Group to create a groundbreaking technology which predicts the best time to travel on public transport.
CitySwift 101: Introducing our bus data engine
The CitySwift platform consists of three unique modules that use big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning to digitalise public transport networks.
Meet the team: Paul Allison
Paul Allison, our Lead Front End Engineer, on why he chose to work here; what an 'average' day looks like for our tech team; and what makes CitySwift different.
Seven things you can learn from our latest eBook
Data can bring enormous benefits to bus operators and aid everything from network planning to social distancing and lobbying. Here are the top seven from our eBook.
We’re hiring! 50 new roles over the next 24 months
CitySwift co-founders Brian O’Rourke and Alan Farrelly announce an expansion of the business – with a new HQ in Galway city and 50 new hires over the next two years.
The Data-Driven Bus Operator eBook
Savvy bus operators are harnessing the power of data like never before – and there’s no going back. The era of the data-driven bus operator has well-and-truly begun.
Congestion is returning – are we ready?
As lockdowns ease, rapid increases in traffic congestion have become a problem that buses can help to solve.
How data can get bus users safely back to school/work
We speak with bus operators about how they are using data to help passengers plan their journeys and head back to school/work with confidence.
Seeking opportunity from adversity
Alex Hornby, Chief Executive of Transdev Blazefield discusses the ways in which they reassured passengers returning to travel.
NXWM launches AI-driven bus capacity prediction technology
National Express West Midlands has launched an AI-driven predictive bus capacity checker to help bus users choose the best time to travel, aiding social distancing.
Bus open data possibilities are endless
Passengers should be able to access clear, consistent information about bus services. The world will watch how the UK’s Bus Open Data Service develops with interest.
'Bus has a very bright future indeed'
McGill’s MD Ralph Roberts tells us he's confident that the bus industry has a very bright future, referring to the Coronavirus pandemic as ‘a time of discovery’.
Meet the graduates
CitySwift is growing fast, but we only hire the top 1% of candidates. Let's hear from our most recently recruited graduates.
Reasons to be cheerful
The last few months have seen the creativity and tenacity of the bus industry at its best. Let’s look back and see what we’ve achieved during these difficult times.
Reacting and adapting to the 'new normal'
In the 'new normal', bus operators need to respond to rapid and unforeseeable changes in demand at a time when they need to spend every penny as wisely as possible.
A data-driven recovery for the bus sector
As lockdown restrictions lift, the bus industry must ensure a smooth recovery and a safe return to public transport. Data should be at the heart of the process.
From Paisley to Riyadh and beyond!
On the 50th anniversary of his joining the bus industry, CitySwift board member Robert Montgomery reflects on his career and considers the future of buses.
Why we’re in the cloud
Our CEO, Brian O’Rourke on how CitySwift got started and how other companies might go about creating their own cloud software.
Cityswift closes €2 million funding round
CitySwift has closed a funding round of €2 million. Here's what it means for our company, our clients and our industry.
Public transport can and will be the 'natural first choice'
We are in the eye of a brutal and unexpected storm. But that storm will pass and public transport will rise again, reaching its baseline and perhaps going beyond it.
The most powerful use of big data for buses yet?
Go North East MD, Martijn Gilbert discusses the innovative When2Travel bus capacity predictor, how it came about and the potential for big data in the bus industry.
When2Travel harnesses the power of data to reassure bus users
We worked with the Go-Ahead Group to quickly develop and launch an innovative technology tool that provides bus users with dynamic information about bus loads.
NXWM deploys SwiftMetrics across its network
National Express West Midlands rolls out SwiftMetrics across its entire bus network to support a data-powered recovery.
The Road to Recovery eBook
We're pleased to announce a new CitySwift eBook, 'The Road to Recovery' – a guide to predicting and planning for recovery as coronavirus restrictions ease.
Prioritising 'active travel' must not leave buses behind
New guidance for prioritising 'active travel' on road networks should be lauded. But plans should be data-driven and enable a future, enhanced role for buses.
How a Bluetooth tracing app could get passengers back onto buses
Could Bluetooth contact tracing apps be the catalyst to enable public transport to make a swift recovery when restrictions are lifted?
Thank you to all the bus workers
Today is Bus Workers Support Day. A day to thank all the drivers, mechanics and operational teams that continue to keep our towns and cities moving.
How COVID-19 changed our machine learning algorithms
To help bus operators through the pandemic, we have to provide accurate, relevant insights that will aid their decision-making in a constantly-changing environment.
Let’s seize the moment
Bus companies must focus on how to manage the drop in revenue due to coronavirus, how to continue to support local communities – and how to plan for recovery.
Scheduler of the Year Award 2020: the finalists
We received nominations from bus companies large and small, from across the UK. The judges have reviewed all the entries and selected their shortlist.
Digitally transforming bus journeys
CitySwift CEO Brian O'Rourke was recently invited to speak at MOVE – Mobility Reimagined. Here's an excerpt from his presentation.
DevOps for buses
Software development and bus ops aren't that different! A bus schedule is like software that runs on buses. Schedulers are developers and passengers are users.
The Joe Wood Scheduler of the Year Award 2020
Bus schedulers play a vital role, but rarely get the recognition they deserve. We've teamed up with Passenger Transport to launch a new award for 2020.
It's time for more bus operators to embrace SaaS and AI
How and why bus operators should embrace cloud-native SaaS technology platforms and machine learning.
What impact does Black Friday have on bus networks?
Over the last two years there's been a 12%-20% increase in UK bus passengers on Black Friday. This year, 26% more adults plan to take part. Is your network ready?
Uber's lost licence is good news for London's bus passengers
Uber losing its licence to operate in London may have black cab drivers rubbing their hands with glee, but bus passengers might also have reason to celebrate.
Powering the smart city revolution
Cities worldwide are changing, becoming more connected, more sustainable and more liveable. Discover how Irish innovation is powering the smart city revolution.
Bus passenger concerns (and what to do about them)
The most common bus passenger concerns are value for money, punctuality, frequency and journey times. Here's our advice on how to deal with each of them.
Feeling the pinch? Apply for local pinch point funding
The UK Government has launched a £150 million local pinch point fund, for local authorities to bid for high-impact schemes to address their congestion pinch points.
The Passenger Satisfaction Playbook eBook
We're delighted to announce the publication of the first CitySwift eBook, 'The Passenger Satisfaction Playbook' – a guide to increasing bus passenger loyalty.
We are now CitySwift
Our platform has a great track record of helping bus companies optimise their schedules, so we decided it was time to optimise our name.
A 'secret sauce' to transform the bus industry
Delivering enhanced reliability and greater passenger satisfaction at less cost through a better understanding of data opens up a whole new future for urban buses.
CitySwift is Siliconrepublic's 'Startup of the Week'
Renowned technology website Siliconrepublic has awarded CitySwift its coveted 'Startup of the Week' accolade.