Unisys bags Vic Transport deal

The Victorian Department of Transport has signed a six-year, $11.4 million contract with Unisys to upgrade its passenger information system which predicts train arrival times.

The new system will improve the accuracy of schedule updates given to passengers waiting for trains at 220 stations on Melbourne's metropolitan network, especially in the case of breakdowns or emergencies.

Unisys will develop a new application and supply required hardware and support. It is expected to be built using open-source and Java development tools to increase its flexibility and reduce support costs. While the new system is rolled out, Unisys will also provide support for the old system.

A notification service, which Unisys developed with lead telcos, will also be installed.

"As it incorporates an application that Unisys has deployed successfully in other large engagements, this is a proven solution with the potential for additional messaging capability using other channels such as mobile phones and the internet," Unisys Asia Pacific commercial industries VP Sue Carter said in a statement.