Launching Optibus Agent: Your Team's Expertise, Multiplied by AI

The first AI agent purpose-built for public transportation automates high-friction work across planning, scheduling, dispatch, and live operations.

Optibus, the AI-powered software platform for planning and operating public transportation, today announced the launch of Optibus Agent.

Optibus Agent is the first AI agent purpose-built for public transportation, designed to automate smarter planning, scheduling, dispatch, and live operations and help teams take their service to the next level.

Public transportation is complex. There are endless considerations: routes, drivers, vehicles, timetables, budgets, road closures, and more. The list only gets longer and more complicated as operations scale and new challenges arise, be it driver shortages or deploying electric buses. With each new element, the disparity between service plans and execution widens, and information becomes harder to manage.

By bringing AI into the heart of transit operations, Optibus Agent makes planning cycles faster, schedules more efficient, disruptions shorter-lived, and service more reliable.

"Optibus is taking an AI-first approach to public transportation, and the launch of Optibus Agent marks a new era for our users. With AI integrated into every layer of the platform, public transportation professionals can perform complex work much faster and make decisions that build far better services. It’s your team’s expertise, multiplied by AI,” said Amos Haggiag, CEO and co-founder of Optibus.

What capabilities does Optibus Agent support?

Built on a decade of experience with operators and agencies from over 7,000 cities, Optibus Agent is trained to understand public transportation-specific logic and processes and enables your team to take your work to new heights. Embedded within the Optibus Platform at every stage, the Agent amplifies your team’s expertise and work speed, from planning to scheduling, real-time dispatch to service evaluation, and more.

Now, your team can analyze all the factors, understand all the options, and make faster decisions to achieve your strategic outcomes. Just ask Optibus Agent and get actionable insights tailored to your specific operation.

Among the first capabilities to be released:

Planning & Scheduling

• Ask Optibus Agent to build balanced schedules that adhere to business goals and union agreements while respecting driver preferences (e.g., limiting overtime or split shifts).

• Find out the best routes and timetables to meet passenger demand.

Driver Assignment

• Quickly locate eligible drivers to fill unassigned duties or call-outs by using the Agent to cross-reference availability, history, and qualifications, ensuring smooth operations and service provision.

Compliance Checking

• Instantly check driver compliance rules (e.g., "Should the driver take a break now?" or checking weekly overtime limits).

Real-Time Control & Dispatch

• Locate any vehicle by inputting a plate number, code, or name.

• Request to view live performance metrics ("Show me delayed or early services").

• Ask the Agent to dispatch messages directly to drivers.

• Get service back on track with suggestions on how to reroute buses or dispatch replacement drivers/vehicles during incidents.

Operational Intelligence

• Filter data and track team activities by asking the Agent questions like "Show me trips that start after 10 am" or "Who approved the absence for driver Sean Daniels?"

• Get explanations about complex scheduling outcomes (e.g., "Why do I have more overtime in this schedule?").

Watch the Optibus Agent Launch Webinar

Optibus hosted an exclusive launch webinar on June 17 showcasing Optibus Agent in action. Transit agencies, operators, and professionals are invited to watch the recording to see firsthand how natural language AI is transforming public transportation management from depot to driver.

Watch the replay here.

To learn more about the Optibus Agent, visit https://optibus.cblogom/product/agent/

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About Optibus

Optibus is a unified, end-to-end software platform that cities and operators use to plan and operate public transportation networks. Our software unites all aspects of public transportation management - planning, scheduling, rostering, operations, real-time control, and passenger information - in one cloud-native platform. Using artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and optimization algorithms, Optibus empowers users in more than 7,000 cities across 35 countries to improve operational efficiency, enhance the passenger experience, and modernize their operations. Learn more: www.optibus.com.