Mobile-optimised Transport for London website goes live
Transport for London (TfL) has fully launched a new website optimised for use on mobile devices after a successful beta testing period. The site provides a range of personalised, live travel information including a new 'Nearby' function which shows local travel options and real-time service information. The website, which receives 250 million visits a year, has been running in beta mode for the past eight months to give customers the opportunity to shape its development. Its features include: the 'Nearby' feature, which allows customers to see on a map all the Tube, bus, river, rail, and Barclays Cycle Hire services in their vicinity, including live information on departures and how many free bikes or docking spaces are available; improved mapping, including tourist attractions and other points of interest; Road Status Boards, showing how traffic is flowing on main roads and how they will be affected by future planned events; and an improved 'Transparency' section, providing more extensive information about how TfL operates, including its business contracts. Since launching in beta mode in July 2013 more than two million customers have visited the site, and around 6,000 feedback forms were received and used. TfL is also a leader in open data, offering a range of live travel information feeds to developers without charge. Meanwhile in a separate innovation, TfL has partnered with media and advertising company Clear Channel UK to trial a real-time mapping tool at a Regent Street bus stop. The mapping tool displays TfL's data feed of live departure information on a digital screen to allow passengers to track their bus in real time. The panel also offers wider transport network updates from the London Underground and real-time availability of nearby Barclays Cycle Hire bikes and docking points, plus maps and walking routes to tourist attractions, theatres and shops.
Pictured: The new TfL website, as displayed on a smartphone
Transport for London: www.tfl.gov.uk
Capita acquires network services provider Updata
Business process and specialist software group Capita has announced it has acquired IT network services provider Updata Infrastructure (UK) for £80m. Updata provides networking and connectivity services to mainly public sector clients. Updata is forecasting an operating profit of £5.6m on turnover of £41.8m in its financial year to 30 June 2014. For the 12 months to 31 December 2015, Capita expects Updata to generate operating profits of about £12m on revenues of £74m. Capita and Updata have had a strategic alliance in Scotland since October 2011, working together on contracts for local authorities in West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire, Fife and East Lothian. The two companies have also recently started working together on a framework contract to deliver the Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN), a single public services network for the use of all public service organisations within Scotland.
Capita: www.capita.co.uk
