Company seeks $4.5m for electronic bus timetabler

By Chris Hutching

Friday 16th August 2002

Christchurch electronic engineering company Connexionz is seeking $4.5 million in a public share float at $1 a share and plans to seek quotation on the unlisted securities facility that is used by sharebroking members of Stock Exchange.

The money will be used to further develop its software and hardware system that it has been trialling in Christchurch and which has helped lift bus patronage 26% in the city. The first stage of the system was installed last year at the Christchurch City Council's new central-city bus exchange, telling bus passengers how many minutes away their bus is and what platform it leaves from. Passengers know whether they have time to visit a nearby book shop or perhaps walk to the next stop. The latest stage of the trial in Christchurch involves installing 10 interactive touch screens at bus stops allowing passengers to find out how far away their bus is at the press of a button. Passengers will also be surveyed for their reactions.

A similar internet-based version has been bought by Tourism Holdings for its Auckland airport-to-city shuttle service. Last week the company announced it had won a $A1 million contract to supply its real-time passenger information service to the New South Wales government's 31km Liverpool-Parramatta bus transitway. The contract involves installing illuminated signs and touch screens at 36 stops. Managing director Robert Burke said that winning the contract means the company will be well placed for gaining subsequent contracts on six transitways planned for western Sydney.

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