The Department for Transport's (DfT) new industry-based Bus Open Data Implementation Group met for the first time this month to discuss official data guidance for councils.
The RTIG, which includes members from the majority of public authorities, transport operators and systems providers in the UK, warmly welcomed the move as helping its efforts to boost ICT deployment across public transport.
RTIG managing director, Mark Cartwright said: 'We want passengers to be confident that they are getting reliable information whichever operators they are travelling with, wherever they are in the country, and however they get their travel information.
'In particular, we strongly support DfT's commitment to working closely with the industry. We will be using our impartial understanding of the technical and commercial issues to contribute to this important initiative.'
A DfT spokesperson told Transport Network that, while the implementation group's guidance will be non-statutory, 'it will inform the development of the bus open data digital service, and help develop the data standards needed'.
The department is working closely with RTIG, and with the Public Transport Information Coordination Group, which also brings in the local authority-based Association of Transport Coordinating Officers and the Traveline public transport route planner.
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