Big Bus Tours
Helping 5.5 million passengers ride smarter with real-time tracking and live occupancy updates
Big Bus Tours wanted to make sightseeing simpler for millions of passengers worldwide. They asked us to build a system that showed where the bus was, how long it would take and how full it was, all in real time. So that's exactly what we did.
Big Bus Tours runs open-top sightseeing buses in cities across the globe. Every year, over 5.5 million passengers hop on board. But customers had one recurring frustration, they didn’t know when the next bus was coming or how full it would be when it arrived.
That lack of visibility led to missed buses, longer waits and sometimes, standing room only. For tourists unfamiliar with the routes or schedule, it created uncertainty and stress. Big Bus Tours wanted to fix that and give passengers the confidence to plan their journey in the moment.
- Q: Where is my bus?
- Q: Will there be space when it gets here?
These were the two questions they set out to answer.
The <Solution/>
We partnered closely with the Big Bus Tours team to design and build a joined-up solution that gave passengers real-time visibility of bus locations and occupancy levels.
First, we used data captured by high-spec GPS trackers on every bus. These were connected to a dynamic interactive map, built into the customer app. Passengers could see buses moving live, get their ETA and even spot nearby attractions as they waited.
Next, we improved the accuracy of arrival times. By combining historic route data with live traffic conditions, we refined ETA algorithms to make them much more reliable. We also added push notifications to alert passengers to delays or changes.
Finally, we tackled the second big question, how full is my bus? Using fitted smart sensors to count the number of people on board in real time. That data fed straight into the app so customers could check occupancy levels before deciding whether to wait or hop on.
ETA accuracy improved by 86%
Occupancy levels updated in real time for all buses
Passengers could plan smarter, wait less and ride more comfortably
Big Bus Tours chose Indiespring because we specialise in mobile-first, real-time systems that connect digital experiences with physical movement. They needed a partner who could understand the complexity behind the scenes and keep the interface simple for users.
It’s not just about tracking a vehicle. It’s about making the whole journey feel seamless.Want to give your customers real-time control over their experience?