The Department for Transport (DfT) recently paused for thought on the Bus Open Data Service (BODS) in England.
An event was held on 15 June, gathering a cross-section of key stakeholders, where DfT officials with their contractors took on some real feedback, and took a look at future potential.
For many operators, BODS is another hurdle to deal with alongside a host of others. It is often viewed as a ‘tick box’ exercise that is required to comply with the law. There is little reward to be seen currently from the investment. Driver CPC was seen in a similar light when introduced 15 years ago, though many now see the CPD benefits to their business that it brings.
BODS should eventually have a positive outcome. The potential is there, if the system can be fine-tuned. Luckily, this was exactly what DfT was looking to achieve with its stakeholder event in June.
Aside from DfT and its contractors, the gathering was attended by select operators, technology providers, local authorities (LAs), and many more. Feedback was teased out of individuals using some interesting techniques, with a scribe converting feedback pictorially. That seemed to work well.
Unsurprisingly, there was a general feeling across the room that BODS data is currently unreliable. That was duly noted by DfT. Further work was undertaken throughout the event to look at what areas of BODS need change. Five key headings were agreed and discussed at length:
- Data accuracy needs to improve
- There are benefits to using data more widely, which should benefit all
- Reform and digitalisation of bus registrations needs to be undertaken so that both systems align, with data entry not duplicated. We hope that this may extend to exempting closed-door school services from registration (and therefore the legal requirement to comply with BODS)
- Better education for all users of the BODS service, from operators and LAs to technology providers
- More help for smaller operators, where there may not be the time, expertise and/or funding to comply.
Let’s watch this space. It certainly sounds like DfT is listening and willing to assist. This could change minds and get some benefit out of the Bus Open Data Service.
The ‘growth’ that was promoted when BODS was put out to stakeholders should actually come. Sooner rather than later would be good, but then I am perhaps straying into the realms of punctuality, and those requirements are in different legislation!
