German transport company Kommunal-
verkehr Rhein-Nahe relies on INIT’s integration competence

New transport company plans digitalization with Karlsruhe-based telematics specialist

Caption: City view of Bad Kreuznach: The new transport company KRN Kommunalverkehr Rhein-Nahe GmbH (KRN) will provide bus services in the two districts of Bad Kreuznach and Mainz-Bingen from 17 October 2022. (© Stadtverwaltung Bad Kreuznach)

Karlsruhe / Bad Kreuznach, August 11 2022

Public transport in the southwest German region of Bad Kreuznach is currently undergoing a complete relaunch. The new transport company KRN Kommunalverkehr Rhein-Nahe GmbH (KRN) will provide bus services in the two districts of Bad Kreuznach and Mainz-Bingen from 17 October 2022. They chose Karlsruhe-based telematics specialist INIT as the ideal partner as they strive to develop the digitalization of their operational processes. INIT is able to deliver an integrated solution for operations control, ticketing, planning, dispatching and statistics right from the start.

KRN will provide public transport as early as October, just 17 months after it was set up. "Because we started from scratch, we needed a partner that could commission and network all the necessary systems – all within the tight schedule leading up to our go-live date," explains Managing Director Uwe Hiltmann.

Thanks to INIT’s comprehensive solution MOBILE, which covers all public transport operational requirements, INIT can offer a solution from one single source. The advantage: The often time-consuming development and implementation of interfaces, which are normally required in a heterogeneous environment, are no longer necessary. The system can be used with all its various functions from the outset.

Pushing digitalization to improve and expand public transport offerings

KRN’s contracting authorities, the two districts of Bad Kreuznach and Mainz-Bingen and the city of Bad Kreuznach have set the goal of improving and expanding public transport offerings in the Rhein-Nahe region. This is why they set up the new transport company. To achieve this, KRN will almost double the public transport services on offer from just over 7 to 14 million scheduled kilometers. KRN’s second goal, in conjunction with INIT is to push digitalization: From the very beginning, passengers will benefit from cashless ticketing in accordance with VDV-KA as well as open-loop ticketing with credit and bank cards (EMV). For voice and data communication between the vehicle and the control center, KRN also relies on a digital solution with Voice-over-IP.

Next generation operations control system

Given the short time frame until October 2022, KRN and INIT are initially focusing on those operational areas that are essential for the go-live. These include planning, ticketing and operations control. In configuring the IT systems, KRN relies on the proven INIT solutions successfully in use all over the world. This is especially true of the operations control system which is being implemented in its new generation version. MOBILE-ITCS nextGen will not only allow dispatchers to work more intuitively and quickly but, once KRN transitions its fleet to e-mobility, will also enable them to monitor e-buses.

Hosting solution ensures security

The first step in the implementation of the system was to set up a “private cloud” to host INIT’s systems. The advantages over a public cloud solution are clear: The renowned Tier3 data center which houses the servers is located in the Karlsruhe area and therefore offers secure data access under German legal regulations. In addition, both the data center provider and INIT are ISO27001 certified and follow IT security requirements.

Up-to-date planning and dispatching solution

INIT’s planning and data management system will support KRN to set up fundamental data that is required for the overall system and to carry out timetables, blocks and duty planning. A special module within the personnel dispatching system will enable KRN to coordinate its partner companies, to which it contracts 49 per cent of its trips. INIT's statistics and reporting system is available for the revenue sharing that is required for this.

Vehicle equipment

In addition to software, INIT will also supply the necessary hardware: The fleet’s 300 buses will be equipped with the PC-based ticket printer and on-board computer EVENDpc3, with PIDvisio3 multimedia displays for passenger information and an Ethernet switch for fast Ethernet in the vehicle.

The need to prioritize due to the tight time frames does not prevent KRN’s managers from planning ahead: further projects are already underway such as the connection of ATMs, the introduction of INIT’s passenger counting system and a video system from Derovis, another INIT Group company.

Andrea Mohr-Braun

Head of Department Corporate Marketing
INIT worldwide
Phone: +49 721 6100 113
Fax: +49 721 6100 399

Get in touch
Privacy settings
This site uses cookies to provide you with an optimal website experience. This includes cookies that are essential to the operation of the site and cookies that you need to agree to use. You can also reach this panel later via a text link in the data protection declaration and can further adjust your cookie settings on our website to your preferences at any time. You will find additional information in the detailed view below and in our data protection declaration.
Required
These cookies are necessary to enable the basic functions of our website. We store personal page settings and your language settings.
Statistics
To further improve our website, we collect anonymized data for statistics and analysis via Matomo. With the help of these cookies we can, for example, determine the number of visitors and the effect of certain pages of our website in order to optimize our content.
Video statistics
Third-party content – e.g. Vimeo or YouTube videos – can be embedded and displayed. To further improve our communication, we collect anonymous statistical data.
Settings saved
Accept selected
Accept all