Optibus Launches Real-Time Suite to Improve CAD/AVL Accuracy, Give Passengers and Operators ETAs They Can Trust

The Real-Time Suite adds a layer of accuracy and intelligence on top of agencies’ and operators’ existing CAD/AVL hardware systems or GPS feeds, so data is more reliable for passengers and dispatchers

Optibus, the leading platform for end-to-end public transportation planning and real-time operations, today launched the Real-Time Suite. Part of Optibus Control, Real-Time Suite is a cloud-native, live intelligence layer that complements the CAD/AVL systems that transportation agencies and operators already run, without additional hardware.

The Suite ingests an agency's schedule data (GTFS) and live vehicle data (GTFS-RT or raw GPS) and returns more accurate ETAs, live fleet monitoring, automatic detour detection, one-click passenger alerts, and centralized compliance reporting.

Optibus will debut the Real-Time Suite at the APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026 on October 4–7, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago (South Hall, Booth 3567).

The opportunity: more accuracy from the systems agencies rely on

CAD/AVL systems are the foundation of real-time transit operations. They track vehicles and generate the live data that passengers, dispatchers and authorities depend on. But four gaps often sit between that data and the real-time service passengers experience:

• Inaccurate ETAs: When traffic and detours disrupt service, planned timetables and routes no longer match reality. The result is uniformed, frustrated passengers. A Transit survey found that more precise, real-time information was the top factor that would motivate passengers to ride public transit more.
• Dispatchers lack live insights: Without a real-time fleet view, dispatchers cannot address problems before they escalate into major disruptions. Updates arrive too late, through call-ins and complaints from frustrated drivers and passengers. Retroactively fixing issues with manual workflows is slow and error-prone.
• Fragmented service information: With no single publishing point or source of truth, the same alert is often entered tool by tool. Passengers receive inconsistent data on different channels and at different times, leading to lower satisfaction levels.
• Heavy-lift authority reporting: Staff spend significant time assembling on-time performance, ridership, and compliance reports from scattered sources. The U.S. Federal Transit Administration estimates that National Transit Database reporting takes agencies a combined 456,179 hours a year. Without a clear audit trail, disputes over service delivery are hard to resolve

The solution: a real-time layer that makes existing systems sharper

The Real-Time Suite is a software layer that sits between CAD/AVL hardware and passenger-facing and reporting tools. Built natively within the Optibus platform, its predictions draw on the same schedules and runtimes used to plan the service, improving data reliability without touching the hardware.

The Real-Time Suite is now available for agencies and operators with existing CAD/AVL hardware. It is the software core of Optibus Control, Optibus's live operations solution, and delivers its real-time intelligence entirely through software, with no Optibus hardware required.

Agencies can start with the Suite on top of their existing systems. As their needs grow, they can expand into the full Optibus Control solution, which adds driver communication, operations automation, and in-vehicle integrations. For agencies with basic vehicle tracking rather than a full CAD/AVL system, the Suite can also provide CAD/AVL capabilities through software alone.

Together, Control and the Real-Time Suite close the loop between plan and reality. Live service insights flow back into Planning, Scheduling, and Operations, creating a continuous feedback cycle in which every day on the road helps build a better plan for the next.

"The Real-Time Suite takes CAD/AVL systems to the next level. It means sharper ETAs for passengers, detours caught in minutes for dispatchers, and authority reports that build themselves. The industry has made the investment in their CAD/AVL; this is how they get even more value out of it, without investing in more hardware," said Amos Haggiag, Optibus CEO and co-founder.

How does the Real-Time Suite improve daily operations?

For passengers

• More accurate ETAs across stop signage and journey planning apps like Google and Apple, reducing missed connections and improving passenger experience
• Faster disruption alerts and service updates, synchronized across every channel

For dispatchers and operations teams

• Live fleet awareness in one view, instead of piecing it together
• Detours flagged and classified automatically within minutes, rather than logged by hand after the fact
• Incorrect service data is identified and fixed before passengers see it, leading to fewer complaints and higher passenger satisfaction

For compliance and authority relationships

• Reports built from one centralized data source instead of scattered spreadsheets
• An audit trail that makes service delivery disputes straightforward to resolve with evidence

For the agency's existing investment

• No hardware replacement, no new onboard equipment, no rip-and-replace — the Suite makes existing CAD/AVL more valuable

The Bigger Picture

Passengers and dispatchers expect accurate real-time information. The Real-Time Suite is the latest step in Optibus's commitment to real-time operational command. It expands on the launch of Optibus Control, a live operations solution that gives control centers real-time visibility into service delivery and the tools to act on it. In January 2026, Control expanded with service alerts, improved ETA predictions, vehicle diagnostics, and a map-based workspace for monitoring live service.

See the Real-Time Suite Live at APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026

Visit Optibus at Booth 3567, South Hall, McCormick Place, Chicago, during the APTA EXPO, October 4–7, 2026 for a live demo of Real-Time Suite. The product launch celebration will take place at the booth on Monday, October 5, at 3:30 p.m. CT with remarks from Optibus CEO and co-founder Amos Haggiag and CPO Omri Cohen, followed by a networking reception.

To reserve dedicated time with an Optibus expert at the show, book a meeting here.

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About Optibus

Optibus is a unified software platform for public transportation planning, scheduling, rostering, operations, real-time control, and passenger information, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and optimization algorithms. In thousands of cities worldwide, transportation agencies and operators use Optibus to maximize the positive impact of public transportation on passengers and the planet, improve operational efficiency and service quality, promote transportation equity, reduce emissions and costs, and modernize operations. Learn more: www.optibus.com

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