Kochi: Kannur University, which introduced numbering system for buses in a district in the state for the first time, has now gone ahead and launched a GPS-linked app and an embedded system which will help bus passengers and users spot their buses. The app, kannurbus, and the embedded system which comes with a 4-G modem, GPS, an accident detection unit and an announcement system, have been developed by Kannur-based start-up Digiconfig Technology Solutions under the direction of the department of management studies (DMS) of the university.
“We have installed the device in five buses as a pilot project and plan to increase the number to 25 in two months before going in for a formal launch,” Dr U. Faisal, head, DMS, told DC. The app is useful for passengers, bus employees, the owners and the authorities, said Sanal Joseph of Digiconfig. “The GPS-linked announcement system informs the passenger in a bus where he has reached and what the next stop is,” he said. “A user can type two destinations and find out which is the next bus to that destination and its timing. He can know whether he has missed a bus, and what will be the next option.”
Bus employees have welcomed the app and the system, Mr Joseph said. “It has made their job easy as the system takes care of announcements. The only glitch is when there is an interruption in connectivity. We are working on addressing that issue.” More than 200 people have already downloaded the app, he said. Bus Operators Organisation Kannur district president P.K. Pavithran said passenger response has been encouraging.
“It costs around Rs 15,000 for the device and this is a reason why many owners are hesitating. However, we hope that more people will come forward.” Kannur collector Mir Mohammed Ali said the success of the project depended on its spread. “We need to incentivise the project,” he said. “We have suggested that they can generate revenue through advertisements using the announcement system.” Digiconfig's Sanal said his company can supply the units for Rs 5750 with advertisement support.
