Overview
Founded in 1987, Horários do Funchal – Transportes Públicos, SA (HF) is the main public transportation operator in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, Portugal. Each year, about 17 million passengers use their services to travel across the city.
At the head of the Operation Support Office is Andreia Quintal, who uses Optibus Planning and Scheduling to ensure services run smoothly and disruptions are handled quickly.
Challenge
Before Optibus, HF encountered hurdles due to the rigid framework of an outdated legacy system. The system’s lack of flexibility made it difficult for Andreia and her team to respond quickly to passenger demands, disruptive weather conditions, and unexpected events. This negatively impacted services, passenger satisfaction, and driver morale. The system’s slow pace of analyzing and enacting changes meant HF was often operating in a reactionary state, rather than a preventative one, leading to a stressful and strained work environment and dips in operational effectiveness and public confidence.
Solution
Thanks to the vision of the Board of Directors, the introduction of Optibus’ Planning and Scheduling software introduced a new level of operational agility and decision-making.
- Equipped with the software’s rapid scenario creation capabilities, HF can quickly evaluate different operational and service outcomes side-by-side and make informed decisions before on-the-ground implementation.
- Optibus Calendar provided a comprehensive overview of operational plans and adjustments, enhancing HF’s ability to forecast costs and adapt resources accordingly.
- This seamless integration between Optibus and HF’s existing systems streamlined workflows, from planning and scheduling to real-time operations.
Results
- Easier, Faster Work Processes: Optibus’ software introduced easy-to-use tools and streamlined workflows, leading to better team morale and a healthier work atmosphere.
- Efficiency: Optimization of resource allocation – especially vehicles and drivers – improved operational efficiency.
- Responsiveness: HF can quickly respond and adapt to situations as they evolve, resulting in more reliable, efficient services. With insight into the best option for meeting their operational goals, Andreia can quickly implement smarter changes, a crucial advantage during unpredictable events like weather disturbances due to storms on the island of Madeira or sudden shifts in passenger demand, mostly related to tourism.
- A centralized, unified workspace: HF now has a central repository for all operational data, giving them a better understanding of their network as a whole. The seamless integration between Optibus and HF’s existing systems – including ticketing, and passenger information – streamlined workflows all the way from planning and scheduling to real-time operations.
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