# Busable knowledge base (full) Source: https://www.busable.app/index.md # Busable **Summary:** Busable is an integrated cloud platform for Australian bus and coach operators, covering planning, charters, scheduling, dispatch, compliance, and passenger information. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/ ## What Busable does - Replaces spreadsheets and legacy desktop software with one connected system. - Covers the operator workflow end-to-end: planning, quoting, rostering, dispatch, compliance, reporting. - Built specifically for Australian regulations, awards, and contract structures. ## Who it is for Australian bus and coach operators running route services, school contracts, charter work, rail replacement, and on-demand shuttles. Operators range from single-depot family businesses to multi-depot fleets. ## Related - [/platform.md](https://www.busable.app/platform.md) — All platform modules - [/solutions.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions.md) — Solutions by operator type - [/pricing.md](https://www.busable.app/pricing.md) — Pricing model ## FAQ ### What is Busable? Busable is an Australian transport technology platform for bus and coach operators. It is an integrated cloud system covering planning, charters, scheduling, dispatch, compliance, and passenger information. ### Who is Busable for? Australian bus and coach operators of all sizes, including route service operators, school transport providers, charter companies, and on-demand shuttle services. ### How is Busable different from legacy bus software? Busable is cloud-native, integrated across modules so data flows between planning, dispatch, and compliance without re-entry, and built specifically for Australian regulations and award conditions. ### Where is Busable based? Busable is an Australian company serving Australian operators. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/platform.md # Platform overview **Summary:** The Busable platform is a set of connected modules covering the operator workflow from planning through dispatch to compliance. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/platform ## Modules - Planning — routes, timetables, GTFS export. - Charters — quote-to-cash, CRM, accounting integration. - Scheduling — driver rostering, fatigue compliance, pay calculation. - Dispatch — live tracking, run sheets, alerts. - Compliance — regulatory tracking, audit management, training records. - Passenger Information — journey planner, real-time updates, customer portal. - Fleet — vehicle records, maintenance, defects, work orders. ## How modules connect Modules share a single data model. A route planned in Planning generates dispatch runs automatically. Charter bookings flow into Scheduling for driver assignment. Compliance records pull from Scheduling and Fleet without re-entry. ## Related - [/solutions.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions.md) — Which modules each operator type uses - [/pricing.md](https://www.busable.app/pricing.md) — How modules are priced ## FAQ ### Do I have to use all modules? No. Operators can adopt modules incrementally. Many start with one or two and expand over time. ### Is the platform integrated or separate apps? Integrated. Modules share one database so data does not need to be re-entered between systems. ### Can Busable replace my current dispatch and rostering software? Yes. Busable is designed to replace separate dispatch, rostering, charter, and compliance tools with one integrated system. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/platform/planning.md # Planning **Summary:** Planning is the Busable module for designing routes, timetables, and stops, and exporting GTFS feeds for passenger information systems. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/platform/planning ## What it does - Build and edit routes with map-based tools. - Design timetables and trip patterns. - Manage stops, stop sequences, and stop attributes. - Export GTFS static feeds for use by external systems and Transport for NSW. - Validate feeds against GTFS best practice before publishing. ## Who uses it Route service operators, contracted school transport providers, and any operator submitting GTFS to a state authority. ## Integrations - GTFS — export to Transport for NSW Open Data and other GTFS consumers. - Dispatch — planned trips become dispatchable runs. - Passenger Information — timetables flow into the public journey planner. ## Related - [/platform/scheduling.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/scheduling.md) — Assign drivers and vehicles to planned runs - [/platform/dispatch.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/dispatch.md) — Operate planned services live - [/platform/passenger-information.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/passenger-information.md) — Publish timetables to passengers ## FAQ ### Can Busable export GTFS feeds? Yes. Planning produces GTFS static feeds that can be submitted to Transport for NSW or any other GTFS consumer. ### Does Planning validate against GTFS best practice? Yes. Feeds can be validated before publishing to catch common errors. ### Can I edit routes on a map? Yes. Route and stop editing is map-based. ### Does Planning work for school routes as well as public routes? Yes. Both school and public route patterns are supported. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/platform/charters.md # Charters **Summary:** Charters is the Busable module for managing charter and tour work end-to-end, from initial enquiry through quote, booking, dispatch, and invoicing. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/platform/charters ## What it does - Capture enquiries and produce branded quotes. - Convert quotes to bookings, hold vehicles and drivers. - Generate run sheets, itineraries, and driver instructions. - Invoice on completion and push to accounting. - Track customer history and repeat bookings. ## Who uses it Charter and tour operators, school operators handling charter work alongside contracts, and resort or venue shuttle providers. ## Integrations - Xero — push invoices and customer records. - Scheduling — assign drivers and check availability. - Fleet — check vehicle availability. ## Related - [/solutions/charter-bookings-tours.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions/charter-bookings-tours.md) — Charter operator solution overview - [/platform/scheduling.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/scheduling.md) — Assign drivers to charter work ## FAQ ### Does Charters integrate with Xero? Yes. Invoices and customer records can be pushed to Xero. ### Can I produce branded quotes? Yes. Quote templates are customisable with operator branding. ### Can Charters handle multi-vehicle bookings? Yes. A single booking can include multiple vehicles and drivers. ### Can customers book online? Customer portals and online booking are supported. Contact sales for current configuration options. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/platform/scheduling.md # Scheduling **Summary:** Scheduling is the Busable module for rostering drivers, checking fatigue compliance, and calculating award-based pay. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/platform/scheduling ## What it does - Roster drivers across routes, charters, and school work. - Check fatigue rules and break compliance before publishing rosters. - Calculate pay against the relevant Australian award conditions. - Export timesheets to payroll systems. - Handle leave, swaps, and unavailability. ## Who uses it Operators with employed drivers, especially those managing complex award conditions, multi-depot rosters, or mixed route and charter work. ## Integrations - Payroll — export timesheets and pay calculations. - Planning — pull route runs to roster against. - Charters — assign drivers to charter bookings. ## Related - [/platform/compliance.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/compliance.md) — Driver compliance and training records - [/platform/dispatch.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/dispatch.md) — Live driver allocation on the day ## FAQ ### Does Scheduling handle Australian bus driver award calculations? Yes. Pay calculation supports the relevant Australian award structures used in the bus industry. ### Does Scheduling check fatigue compliance? Yes. Rosters are checked against fatigue and break rules before they can be published. ### Can drivers see their roster on a phone? Yes. Drivers can view rosters via the driver app or web portal. ### Does Scheduling integrate with payroll? Yes. Timesheets export to common payroll systems. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/platform/dispatch.md # Dispatch **Summary:** Dispatch is the Busable module for running services live, with GPS tracking, driver communication, and exception alerts. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/platform/dispatch ## What it does - Track vehicles in real time on a map. - Issue run sheets and instructions to drivers. - Receive alerts for late running, deviations, or no-shows. - Reassign work on the day when disruption occurs. - Record actual run times for compliance and reporting. ## Who uses it Dispatchers and operations managers running daily services across route, school, charter, and shuttle work. ## Integrations - Vehicle telematics — pull GPS positions and engine data. - Scheduling — see who is rostered. - Passenger Information — feed live arrivals to passengers. ## Related - [/platform/scheduling.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/scheduling.md) — Roster the work that gets dispatched - [/platform/passenger-information.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/passenger-information.md) — Show live data to passengers ## FAQ ### Does Dispatch include GPS tracking? Yes. Live GPS tracking is part of the Dispatch module. ### Can drivers receive run sheets on a tablet? Yes. Drivers can view run sheets and updates on a tablet or phone. ### What happens when a driver does not arrive? Dispatch raises an alert and supports rapid reassignment of the run. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/platform/compliance.md # Compliance **Summary:** Compliance is the Busable module for tracking driver authorisations, vehicle inspections, training, and contract obligations in one auditable record. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/platform/compliance ## What it does - Track driver licences, authorisations, and medicals with expiry alerts. - Manage vehicle inspections and roadworthy records. - Hold training records and competencies. - Produce audit packs on demand for state authority audits. - Track contract obligations and KPI reporting. ## Who uses it Compliance managers, operations managers, and operators bidding on or holding state contracts that require regular reporting. ## Integrations - Scheduling — block drivers with lapsed authorisations from being rostered. - Fleet — pull vehicle inspection and defect records. ## Related - [/platform/scheduling.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/scheduling.md) — Compliance feeds into roster validation - [/platform/fleet.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/fleet.md) — Vehicle compliance records - [/security.md](https://www.busable.app/security.md) — Platform security and data handling ## FAQ ### Does Compliance handle Transport for NSW contract reporting? Yes. Compliance supports KPI and obligation tracking against state contract structures. ### Will the system stop a driver being rostered with an expired authorisation? Yes. Expired or about-to-expire authorisations block rostering by default. ### Can I produce an audit pack quickly? Yes. Audit packs can be produced on demand from current records. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/platform/passenger-information.md # Passenger Information **Summary:** Passenger Information is the Busable module for delivering journey planning, timetables, and real-time updates to passengers. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/platform/passenger-information ## What it does - Public journey planner with stop and route search. - Live timetables and real-time arrival information. - School run information for parents. - Resort and venue shuttle information for guests. - Embeddable widgets for operator websites. ## Who uses it Operators publishing services to the public, school operators communicating with parents, and resort or venue operators showing shuttles to guests. ## Integrations - Planning — pull timetables and route data. - Dispatch — feed real-time arrivals from live GPS. ## Related - [/platform/planning.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/planning.md) — Source of timetable data - [/solutions/public-transport.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions/public-transport.md) — Public transport solution context ## FAQ ### Can passengers see live arrivals? Yes, when the operator is using Dispatch with GPS tracking. ### Can I embed the journey planner on my own website? Yes. Embeddable widgets are available. ### Does it support school passengers and parents? Yes. School-specific information views are supported. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/platform/fleet.md # Fleet **Summary:** Fleet is the Busable module for managing vehicle records, maintenance schedules, defects, and work orders. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/platform/fleet ## What it does - Hold a vehicle register with all attributes and documents. - Track maintenance schedules and service intervals. - Log defects raised by drivers and dispatch. - Manage work orders and parts. - Record inspections and roadworthy status. ## Who uses it Workshop managers, fleet managers, and operations teams across route, school, and charter operators. ## Integrations - Compliance — vehicle inspection and roadworthy records. - Dispatch — drivers raise defects from the run. ## Related - [/platform/compliance.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/compliance.md) — Vehicle compliance is part of compliance reporting - [/platform/dispatch.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/dispatch.md) — Defects flow in from drivers ## FAQ ### Can drivers raise defects from a run? Yes. Defects raised during a run flow directly into Fleet. ### Does Fleet track scheduled maintenance? Yes. Service intervals and scheduled maintenance are tracked with alerts. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/solutions.md # Solutions **Summary:** Busable solutions group platform modules by operator type so each operator sees the configuration relevant to their business. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/solutions ## Solution types - Public transport — scheduled route services under contract. - School bus transport — school contracts and parent communication. - Charter, bookings and tours — quote-to-cash for charter work. - Rail replacement — coordinating bus services to replace rail. - On-demand and shuttles — flexible and shuttle services. ## Related - [/platform.md](https://www.busable.app/platform.md) — Underlying modules behind each solution ## FAQ ### Which solution applies if I do multiple types of work? Most operators do mixed work. Busable supports all solution types in one platform — modules are not exclusive to a solution. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/solutions/public-transport.md # Public bus transport **Summary:** The public transport solution is for operators running scheduled route services, typically under state government contract, who need integrated planning, dispatch, compliance, and passenger information. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/solutions/public-transport ## What it covers - Route and timetable design with GTFS export. - Driver rostering with award and fatigue compliance. - Live dispatch with GPS tracking. - Contract KPI tracking and reporting. - Public journey planner and real-time arrivals. ## Who uses it Route service operators holding state contracts, including Transport for NSW regional and metropolitan operators. ## Related - [/platform/planning.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/planning.md) — Route and timetable design - [/platform/compliance.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/compliance.md) — Contract KPI tracking - [/platform/passenger-information.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/passenger-information.md) — Public journey planner ## FAQ ### Does this solution support Transport for NSW regional contracts? Yes. Compliance and reporting structures support TfNSW regional contract requirements. ### Can Busable export GTFS for state open data feeds? Yes. Planning produces GTFS feeds suitable for state open data submission. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/solutions/school-bus-transport.md # School bus transport **Summary:** The school bus transport solution is for operators running school contracts, with route planning, parent communication, and student management. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/solutions/school-bus-transport ## What it covers - School route planning and stop management. - Student records and eligibility tracking. - Parent communication and notifications. - Driver rostering across school and other work. - Compliance and contract reporting. ## Who uses it Operators running dedicated school contracts and operators with mixed school and route or charter work. ## Related - [/platform/planning.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/planning.md) — School route planning - [/platform/compliance.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/compliance.md) — School contract compliance ## FAQ ### Can parents see where the school bus is? Live tracking views can be provided to parents when Dispatch with GPS is in use. ### Does the system manage student eligibility? Yes. Student records and eligibility are tracked. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/solutions/charter-bookings-tours.md # Charter, bookings and tours **Summary:** The charter solution covers quote-to-cash for charter and tour operators, including CRM, run sheets, and accounting integration. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/solutions/charter-bookings-tours ## What it covers - Enquiry capture and quote generation. - Booking management with vehicle and driver assignment. - Run sheets and driver itineraries. - Invoicing and accounting integration. - Customer history and repeat-booking management. ## Who uses it Charter and tour operators, and operators handling charter work alongside route or school contracts. ## Related - [/platform/charters.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/charters.md) — Underlying charter module - [/platform/scheduling.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/scheduling.md) — Driver assignment for charter work ## FAQ ### Can I produce branded quotes? Yes. ### Does it integrate with Xero? Yes. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-nsw-cbc.md # Rail replacement NSW (TfNSW CBC and TODIS) **Summary:** The rail replacement solution covers bus services that replace trains during a rail possession, including work delivered under the TfNSW Contingent Bussing Contract (CBC). It builds the possession timetable, route path and calendar, produces the TODIS file for submission to Transport for NSW, and handles driver duties, allocation and passenger information for the affected stops. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-nsw-cbc ## What it covers - Possession timetable, route path and calendar built from the TfNSW bussing request. - TODIS file production and submission to Transport for NSW, with validation before submission. - Driver duties and vehicle blocks for the possession, reviewed and adjusted by the operator. - Shift Trip Matrix (STM) output for costing a possession. - Driver and vehicle allocation, including reassignment when a shift changes on the day. - Passenger information for the affected stations and stops. ## Who uses it Bus and coach operators on the TfNSW Contingent Bussing Contract (CBC) panel delivering planned rail replacement for track possessions, and operators subcontracted onto shifts handed back by another operator. ## Where the operator stays in control Busable prepares the possession data and puts it in front of the operator. The operator verifies the route path against the turn-by-turn file TfNSW issued, confirms operating days and midnight crossovers, reviews the driver duties against their own fatigue obligations, and authorises the TODIS submission, which goes to TfNSW under their name and accreditation. ## Related - [/resources/tfnsw-rail-replacement-todis-cbc.md](https://www.busable.app/resources/tfnsw-rail-replacement-todis-cbc.md) — Guide to TfNSW rail replacement, the CBC and the TODIS file - [/solutions/rail-replacement-qld.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-qld.md) — How rail replacement works in Queensland - [/solutions/rail-replacement-vic.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-vic.md) — How rail replacement works in Victoria - [/platform/able-ai.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/able-ai.md) — The AI agent that builds the possession data ## FAQ ### Does Busable produce TODIS files for rail replacement? Yes. CBC operators using Busable produce and submit a validated TODIS file to Transport for NSW within 24 hours of the bussing request. ### Can the system handle short-notice rail replacement? Yes. Late changes and handbacks are re-cut and resubmitted the same way, subject to the TfNSW daily processing cut-off. ### Who authorises the TODIS submission? The operator. Busable prepares the data; the operator reviews it and authorises what is submitted under their name and accreditation. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-qld.md # Rail replacement Queensland (railbus and track closures) **Summary:** Busable imports the published replacement timetable and builds the route path in minutes, holds the route path, timetable, calendar and driver duties as one connected dataset, cuts duties with award and fatigue limits flagged as you build, allocates drivers and vehicles with same-day reshuffles, gives drivers turn-by-turn guidance for the replacement route on the tablet with BOAS checks, and keeps the trip-level record of what actually ran for costing and for questions afterwards. In Queensland the work is a track closure and the replacement service is a railbus, scheduled by Queensland Rail on a rolling twelve-month calendar, with capacity arranged by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and passenger information published by Translink as GTFS. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-qld ## What Busable does about it in Queensland - Closures published on a rolling twelve-month calendar -> build the railbus timetable and route path as soon as the closure is published and keep it ready - A closure runs both express and all-stops railbuses -> both stopping patterns built from one published timetable in a single import, as separate route variants - Closures get extended at short notice -> re-cut the timetable and duties from the changed dates and reissue to drivers the same day - The state owns the replacement fleet; the operation is what it is short of -> roster drivers against vehicles you do not own, with award and fatigue limits flagged as you build - A railbus corridor is invented for one closure along streets no bus normally runs -> turn-by-turn guidance for that route on the tablet, trips in front of the driver, BOAS checks before moving - Translink publishes the network as GTFS -> Busable is built on GTFS so the timetable is already in the shape the passenger pipeline expects ## What Queensland calls it A track closure, not a possession. The replacement service is a railbus, run as express or all-stops along the corridor. Queensland Rail publishes planned closures on a rolling twelve-month calendar and schedules most work off peak, on weekends, after 9pm on weeknights and through school holidays. ## Who arranges it Queensland Rail schedules and publishes the closures. The Department of Transport and Main Roads arranges replacement capacity. Translink is the journey planner, app and service-notice channel passengers use. ## The TMR bus fleet Queensland has procured a dedicated rail replacement fleet that TMR owns and deploys across South East Queensland, around 200 vehicles at 43 seats each. That changes what the state asks operators for, so it is worth confirming with TMR which parts of the task sit with the operator. ## What Busable does for a Queensland closure The replacement timetable, route path, stops and calendar; driver duties with award and fatigue limits flagged; driver and vehicle allocation including same-day reshuffles; turn-by-turn in-cab navigation; and the trip-level record of what ran. The Queensland-specific submission process is not one Busable has run end to end. ## Related - [/solutions/rail-replacement-nsw-cbc.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-nsw-cbc.md) — How the process works end to end in NSW - [/resources/tfnsw-rail-replacement-todis-cbc.md](https://www.busable.app/resources/tfnsw-rail-replacement-todis-cbc.md) — TfNSW rail replacement, the CBC and the TODIS file ## FAQ ### What is a railbus in Queensland? A railbus is a timetabled bus service that replaces trains during a Queensland Rail track closure. A closure usually runs both express and all-stops railbuses. ### Who arranges rail replacement buses in Queensland? TMR arranges replacement capacity, Queensland Rail schedules the closures, and Translink is the customer-facing journey planner and app. ### Does Queensland require a TODIS file like NSW? No. TODIS is a Transport for NSW specification. Translink publishes the Queensland network as GTFS and GTFS-Realtime open data. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-vic.md # Rail replacement Victoria (Metro Trains and V/Line occupations) **Summary:** Busable imports the published replacement timetable and builds the route path in minutes, holds the route path, timetable, calendar and driver duties as one connected dataset, cuts duties with award and fatigue limits flagged as you build, allocates drivers and vehicles with same-day reshuffles, gives drivers turn-by-turn guidance for the replacement route on the tablet with BOAS checks, and keeps the trip-level record of what actually ran for costing and for questions afterwards. In Victoria the work is an occupation, contracted by Metro Trains Melbourne for the metropolitan network and by V/Line for regional Rail Replacement Coach services through a statewide panel with its own coordination, allocation and rostering function. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-vic ## What Busable does about it in Victoria - Metro Trains builds and blocks the replacement plan then shares it with operators -> import that plan and turn it into duties your drivers can legally run instead of retyping it - V/Line coordinates planning, panel allocation and rostering across the whole coach panel -> produce duty and allocation data that lines up with a panel coordinator and reissue when work moves - Metro work is short-haul; V/Line work is a coach replacing a whole regional journey -> same build either way: route path, timetable, calendar, duties - Occupations get extended past their original end date -> re-cut from the new dates and reissue the same day, duties moving when the timetable moves - A replacement corridor is invented for one occupation and no driver knows it -> turn-by-turn guidance for that route on the tablet, trips in front of the driver, BOAS checks before moving - You have to show what ran afterwards for costing and for the contracting body -> the trip-level record of what ran plus the shift and trip breakdown the costing is built from ## What Victoria calls it An occupation, not a possession. Metropolitan work is a replacement bus; regional V/Line work is a replacement coach, reflecting the distances involved. In Melbourne, V/Line replacement coaches run from the Southern Cross Station coach terminal and passengers touch on and off with myki. ## Who contracts it Two separate bodies. Metro Trains Melbourne for the metropolitan network, and V/Line for regional Victoria through a statewide Rail Replacement Coach panel. The Department of Transport and Planning is the state transport authority above both. ## Panel allocation is itself contracted V/Line procures Rail Replacement Coordination Services covering planning, panel allocation, rostering and supervisor duties. An operator on the panel needs its duty and allocation data to line up with a coordinator working across the whole panel. ## What Busable does for a Victorian occupation The replacement timetable, route path, stops and calendar; driver duties with award and fatigue limits flagged; driver and vehicle allocation including same-day reshuffles; turn-by-turn in-cab navigation; and the trip-level record of what ran. The Victoria-specific submission process is not one Busable has run end to end. ## PTV is no longer the authority Public Transport Victoria was retired as a brand in late 2025 and the PTV statutory authority was wound up in 2019. The passenger-facing brand and journey planner are now Transport Victoria at transport.vic.gov.au, under the Department of Transport and Planning. The replacement services themselves are contracted by Metro Trains Melbourne for the metropolitan network and V/Line for regional Victoria. ## The contracting body does its own planning Metro Trains Melbourne moved its rail replacement planning off manual processes and onto dedicated route planning and vehicle blocking software, with the stated purpose of sharing that information with its operator partners more effectively. An operator is therefore more likely to receive a plan already built and blocked, and the work that lands on them is execution: turning it into legally runnable duties, allocating buses and drivers, and proving what ran. ## Related - [/solutions/rail-replacement-nsw-cbc.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-nsw-cbc.md) — How the process works end to end in NSW - [/resources/tfnsw-rail-replacement-todis-cbc.md](https://www.busable.app/resources/tfnsw-rail-replacement-todis-cbc.md) — TfNSW rail replacement, the CBC and the TODIS file ## FAQ ### What is an occupation in Victorian rail? An occupation is the Victorian term for taking a section of track out of service for engineering or project work. It is the equivalent of a NSW possession or a Queensland track closure. ### Who contracts rail replacement buses in Victoria? Metro Trains Melbourne for the metropolitan network and V/Line for regional Victoria through a statewide Rail Replacement Coach panel. ### What is a Rail Replacement Coach or RRC? RRC is the V/Line term for a coach replacing a regional train service, often for the whole journey. ### Is rail replacement in Victoria still run by PTV? No. The Public Transport Victoria statutory authority was wound up in 2019 and the PTV brand was retired in late 2025. The passenger-facing brand and journey planner are now Transport Victoria, under the Department of Transport and Planning, while replacement services are contracted by Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/solutions/on-demand-shuttles.md # On-demand and shuttles **Summary:** The on-demand and shuttles solution covers flexible bookings, fixed shuttles, and resort or venue services with passenger-facing booking and live tracking. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/solutions/on-demand-shuttles ## What it covers - Passenger booking flows for on-demand services. - Shuttle timetables with live tracking. - Resort and venue shuttle information for guests. - Driver dispatch and run sheets. ## Who uses it Resort, venue, and event shuttle operators, and operators running on-demand transport services. ## Related - [/platform/passenger-information.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/passenger-information.md) — Guest and passenger information - [/platform/dispatch.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/dispatch.md) — Live shuttle coordination ## FAQ ### Can guests book a shuttle online? Yes. Passenger-facing booking is supported. ### Does it support resort and venue branding? Yes. Passenger views can be branded for the resort or venue. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/customers.md # Customers **Summary:** Busable is used by Australian bus and coach operators across route, school, charter, and shuttle work. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/customers ## Operator types - Route service operators holding state contracts. - School bus operators. - Charter and tour operators. - Resort and venue shuttle providers. ## Related - [/solutions.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions.md) — Solutions by operator type ## FAQ ### Can I see a list of named customers? Named references are shared on request. Some are subject to NDA. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/pricing.md # Pricing **Summary:** Busable is priced per vehicle per month. Longer contract terms attract a discount. Some modules require partner pricing. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/pricing ## Pricing model - Per-vehicle-per-month subscription. - Modules can be adopted incrementally. - Longer contract terms (1-5 years) attract a discount. - Hardware-dependent modules (e.g. driver tablet hardware) require partner pricing — contact sales. ## What is included Standard subscriptions include software access, updates, and support. Implementation, data migration, and training are quoted separately. ## Related - [/platform.md](https://www.busable.app/platform.md) — Modules being priced - [/contact.md](https://www.busable.app/contact.md) — Get a quote ## FAQ ### How much does Busable cost? Busable is priced per vehicle per month, with discounts for longer contract terms. Exact pricing depends on which modules are adopted — contact sales for a quote. ### Are there setup fees? Implementation, data migration, and training are quoted separately from the subscription. ### Do longer contracts get a discount? Yes. 1-5 year terms attract a discount. ### Is there a free trial? Trials and pilot arrangements are available — contact sales. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/resources.md # Resources **Summary:** Resources covers articles, GTFS tools, and reference content for Australian bus operators. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/resources ## What you will find - Free GTFS tools (validator, calendar visualizer, route timetables viewer). - Reference articles on Australian bus contracts and compliance. - Buyer guides for bus and charter software. ## Related - [/platform.md](https://www.busable.app/platform.md) — Platform behind the tools ## FAQ ### Are the GTFS tools free? Yes. The GTFS tools provided in Resources are free to use. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/resources/tfnsw-rail-replacement-todis-cbc.md # TfNSW rail replacement and the Contingent Bussing Contract (CBC): the TODIS file **Summary:** TODIS stands for Transport Operations Data Interchange Specification: the file format a bus operator uses to submit service data to Transport for NSW. Under the Contingent Bussing Contract (CBC), TfNSW issues a bussing request to panel operators for a rail possession; the operator builds the route path, timetable and calendar, validates it, and submits a TODIS file. Once accepted, the temporary rail replacement service exists as real data in TfNSW systems, so passengers can look it up. CBC operators using Busable produce and submit a validated TODIS file within 24 hours of the request. The route path inside the TODIS submission is the source data for driver navigation: TfNSW calls it the R file, and once processed it feeds the navigation app TfNSW itself issues to rail replacement drivers on the tablet in the bus. The same trips are what real-time passenger information is matched against. The Shift Trip Matrix (STM) is the shift-by-shift, trip-by-trip breakdown TfNSW builds the payment claim from: populate the STM tab correctly and the costing tabs populate from it. Assembled from the duty data already in Busable, a whole possession takes roughly half an hour rather than the hours of spreadsheet transposition it takes by hand. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/resources/tfnsw-rail-replacement-todis-cbc ## What is TfNSW rail replacement? TfNSW rail replacement is the substitution of buses for trains on a closed rail corridor. Most of it is planned: Sydney Trains takes possession of a section of track for engineering works, and Transport for NSW arranges buses to carry passengers along the corridor while the track is out of service. Possessions range from overnight closures to weekend closures, multi-day holiday closures, and major closures lasting weeks. ## What is the Contingent Bussing Contract (CBC)? The Contingent Bussing Contract (CBC) is the TfNSW panel arrangement under which bus and coach operators are engaged to deliver rail replacement work. TfNSW issues a bussing request setting out the corridor, timetable and shifts required. CBC panel operators are typically charter and coach businesses rather than metropolitan contract holders, and work is often reallocated at short notice through handbacks. ## What a TODIS file contains - The route path the bus physically drives, turn by turn. - Every stop it serves, in order. - The timetable for each trip. - The calendar, meaning which days the service runs. - The vehicle and driver shifts that deliver it. ## How a CBC operator submits a TODIS file to TfNSW - TfNSW issues a bussing request to operators on the CBC panel. - The operator confirms what shifts it can cover, usually by the next morning. - The operator builds the service: route path, stops, timetable, calendar, then blocks and driver shifts. - The data is validated and submitted to TfNSW as a TODIS file; there is a daily processing cut-off. - Once processed, the service exists in TfNSW operational systems and the channels that draw on them. ## Where the route path ends up: the driver's screen A rail replacement route does not exist in any public timetable — it is invented for one weekend, along streets no bus normally runs, calling at stops that are not normally bus stops, so no driver knows it by heart. In Busable the route path is built and verified on a map turn by turn, every left and right, stop to stop. That mapped path goes into the route file inside the TODIS submission, which TfNSW calls the R file. Once TfNSW has processed it, that is what reaches the driver: the navigation app on the tablet in the bus is TfNSW's own software, issued by the government, and it works from the trips in the file rather than from a driver shift. An operator without an accepted TODIS file cannot use the TfNSW navigation app at all and falls back to paper run sheets. The same trips are what real-time information is matched against, which is what lets a passenger see where their replacement bus actually is. ## How Busable produces a TODIS file within 24 hours Able AI reads the possession requirements and builds the trips, stops, calendar, route path and a first cut of driver duties, asking the operator to confirm as it goes. Route paths are drawn from TfNSW's own record of previous possessions on that line rather than from a blank map. Route path, timetable, calendar, blocks and driver shifts are one connected dataset. The file is checked against the validation rules, including a visual check of the route path, before submission. ## Who is responsible for TODIS data accuracy The operator. Able AI does the legwork and puts the result in front of the operator, but does not sign anything off. TfNSW's historical route data is not always current, so the operator verifies the route path against the turn-by-turn file TfNSW issued, confirms trip counts, operating days and midnight crossovers, and reviews driver duties against their own fatigue obligations before authorising submission. Under heavy vehicle law the duty around driver fatigue, licensing and rostering sits with the operator and cannot be delegated to software. ## The Shift Trip Matrix and the payment claim The TODIS file gets the service running; the Shift Trip Matrix (STM) is how the operator gets paid. The STM breaks a possession down shift by shift and trip by trip - block, day type, start and end times, durations, trip type, distance - and TfNSW builds the claim on top of it, so populating the STM tab correctly is what drives the costing tabs. By hand it is transposition work: hundreds of rows retyped into someone else's template, with quirks to remember such as day types rolling to the next day for trips starting after midnight, and breaks recorded against the block number. Because the duty data already sits in Busable, the STM is assembled from it rather than typed a second time: roughly half an hour for a whole possession, most of it reviewing rows. Busable produces the CBC-format matrix as part of the service while the CBC-specific export is finished. ## Related - [/solutions/rail-replacement-nsw-cbc.md](https://www.busable.app/solutions/rail-replacement-nsw-cbc.md) — The rail replacement solution for CBC operators - [/platform/able-ai.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/able-ai.md) — The AI agent that builds the possession data - [/platform/planable.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/planable.md) — Route path, timetable and calendar planning ## FAQ ### What does TODIS stand for? Transport Operations Data Interchange Specification. It is the format used to submit bus service data to Transport for NSW. ### Is a TODIS file required for rail replacement work? Bussing requests issued under the Contingent Bussing Contract are marked as TODIS enabled where a file is required. Without an accepted file the service does not appear in TfNSW systems. ### Are driver shifts required in a TODIS file? Every trip must be associated with a shift for the file to import, but the route path, timetable and calendar are the substance of the submission. ### How quickly can a TODIS file be produced? Using Busable, CBC operators produce and submit a validated file within 24 hours of the request, and same day where the request arrives before the daily processing cut-off. ### Can a software provider submit a TODIS file on an operator's behalf? Yes, with written authority from the operator to TfNSW. The operator still reviews and authorises what is submitted, and it goes under their name and accreditation. ### Who is accountable if TODIS data is wrong? The operator. TfNSW places the data accuracy obligation on the operator, including the left and right turns in the route path. ### How do rail replacement drivers get turn-by-turn directions? From the navigation app TfNSW issues, running on the tablet in the bus. It is fed by the route file inside the TODIS submission, so the route path built and verified in Busable is the source data for what the driver sees on screen. ### What happens if an operator has no accepted TODIS file? They cannot use the TfNSW navigation app, because it has no route or trips to show for that service. The buses still run, but on paper run sheets or a third-party app instead of the government system. ### How can passengers see where a rail replacement bus is? The trips in the accepted TODIS file are what real-time information is matched against, so the replacement service can be tracked like any other service rather than only appearing on a printed notice. ### What is the Shift Trip Matrix used for? The Shift Trip Matrix is the shift-by-shift, trip-by-trip breakdown of a possession that TfNSW builds the payment claim from. Populate the STM tab correctly and the costing tabs populate from it. ### How long does a Shift Trip Matrix take to produce? Assembled from the duty data already in Busable, a whole possession takes roughly half an hour, most of it reviewing rows rather than typing them. Done by hand from scratch it is hours of transposition work. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/company.md # Company **Summary:** Busable is an Australian transport technology company building software for bus and coach operators. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/company ## About Busable is an Australian company building integrated cloud software for the bus and coach industry. The platform is purpose-built for Australian regulations, awards, and contract structures. ## Related - [/platform.md](https://www.busable.app/platform.md) — What we build - [/security.md](https://www.busable.app/security.md) — Security and compliance ## FAQ ### Where is Busable based? Busable is an Australian company. ### Is Busable hiring? Hiring status changes over time — contact us through the website for current openings. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/demo.md # Book a demo **Summary:** Operators can book a personalised Busable demonstration to see the platform configured for their type of work. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/demo ## What to expect - Walkthrough of the modules relevant to your operation. - Discussion of your current systems and pain points. - Indicative pricing based on your fleet size and module mix. ## Related - [/pricing.md](https://www.busable.app/pricing.md) — Pricing model - [/platform.md](https://www.busable.app/platform.md) — What the demo will cover ## FAQ ### How long is a demo? Typically 30-60 minutes depending on scope. ### Is the demo tailored to my type of operation? Yes. Demos are configured around the modules relevant to your work. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/why-switch.md # Why switch to Busable **Summary:** Operators typically switch to Busable to consolidate spreadsheets and legacy desktop tools into one integrated cloud platform built for Australian operators. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/why-switch ## Common drivers - Replacing multiple disconnected tools with one system. - Eliminating manual re-entry between dispatch, rostering, and compliance. - Modernising from on-premise desktop software to cloud. - Meeting state contract reporting requirements without manual collation. - Award-based pay calculation built in rather than spreadsheet-managed. ## Related - [/platform.md](https://www.busable.app/platform.md) — What replaces existing tools - [/pricing.md](https://www.busable.app/pricing.md) — Cost of switching ## FAQ ### How long does it take to switch? Implementation timeframes depend on fleet size and module scope. Most operators are live on first modules within weeks. ### Will I lose my historic data? Data migration is part of implementation. Most legacy data sources can be imported. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/security.md # Security and compliance **Summary:** Busable is an Australian-hosted cloud platform with security and data handling practices appropriate to transport operators handling driver, customer, and student data. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/security ## Data and hosting - Australian-hosted cloud infrastructure. - Encryption in transit and at rest. - Role-based access control. - Audit logging for sensitive operations. ## Related - [/platform/compliance.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/compliance.md) — Operator compliance module ## FAQ ### Where is data hosted? Data is hosted in Australia. ### Is data encrypted? Yes — in transit and at rest. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/support-passenger-app.md # Passenger app support **Summary:** Support information for passengers using the Busable passenger-facing app for journey planning and live arrivals. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/support-passenger-app ## Common questions If a service is missing, the route information may not yet be configured by the operator. If live tracking is missing, the operator may not have GPS tracking enabled on that vehicle. ## Related - [/platform/passenger-information.md](https://www.busable.app/platform/passenger-information.md) — Operator-side passenger information module ## FAQ ### Why can't I see live arrivals for my route? Live arrivals depend on the operator running GPS tracking on that route. If they are not, only timetabled times will appear. ### How do I report a missing route? Route data is provided by the operator. Contact the operator running the service. --- Source: https://www.busable.app/support.md # Support **Summary:** General support information for operators using the Busable platform and passengers using Busable apps, including troubleshooting and contact details. **Source:** https://www.busable.app/support ## Getting help Passengers can find app-specific help on the passenger app support page. Operators and anyone else can contact support@busable.app — include details about your device, the product you're using, and the issue. ## Related - [/support-passenger-app.md](https://www.busable.app/support-passenger-app.md) — Passenger app specific support ## FAQ ### How do I contact Busable support? Email support@busable.app. We aim to respond within 24-48 hours during business days. ### A route or timetable looks wrong — who fixes it? Service information is managed by the bus operator. Report it to support and we'll work with the operator to resolve it. ---