Catalonia launches app to show passengers bus occupancy levels

Social distancing requirements are creating huge challenges for public transport. To reassure people about the safety of public transport, the Government of Catalonia has launched an app to inform passengers about bus occupancy levels. The new Autocorb app will inform citizens of the occupancy of approaching buses in real time. The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the deployment of this new app, with the aim of ensuring safe physical distance on buses. From 11 May, citizens will be able to find out through the Autocorb app the occupancy of their bus. The new functionality is part of the Intellibus project and involves the 'inLab' FIB laboratory of the Politechnichal University of Catalonia. The user will be presented with estimated occupations of buses throughout the day. In doing so, the government hopes to encourage people to opt for buses with lower occupancy, thus balancing the supply and demand of the service. In the context of the health crisis, this will minimise congestion on buses and help to reduce the spread in the fight against the pandemic.