Canadian mobile data communications company, Red Ball Internet, announces its formal partnership with Transplus Inc of Fredericton, NB. The two organizations have teamed up with plans to create some of the most technologically advanced transit buses the North American urban transit industry has ever seen.
Red Ball Internet, purveyors of mobile data connectivity and creators of software and hardware applications designed for use in vehicle fleets, has signed an agreement to equip new Transplus manufactured buses with features from its popular TRAX, fleet tracking and on-board connectivity system.
“We’re changing the rules of this industry,” says Sean Adams, chief marketing officer at Red Ball Internet. “By partnering with Transplus and equipping their buses with our advanced TRAX system features, Red Ball Internet is providing urban transit operators the opportunity to have new buses and great on-board technology without the hefty price tag. We’re looking forward to our relationship with Transplus and to successfully working with municipalities across North America.”
In 2010, Red Ball Internet unveiled its KIRA award winning TRAX software system. Designed in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute for Information Technology, TRAX was designed to be operated on 3G and 4G wireless telecommunications networks anywhere. It uses these advanced telecommunications networks to bring high-speed, on-board connectivity to the urban transit industry. From live, GPS based fleet tracking and reporting, to on-board Wi-Fi Internet provision for riders, to advanced features like live streaming video surveillance and an on-board, GPS based video advertising, TRAX is filled with technology tools designed to lower operating costs and increase ridership.
Transplus, of Fredericton, NB, has gained notoriety for internationally sourcing transit buses and equipping them for North American use. Their buses contain standard features that are considered add-ons by other manufacturers. The combination of additional features and lower prices translates into value of 12 to 15% to implementing urban transit authorities.
“We’re excited to be able to offer quality buses with a variety of features, and now Red Ball Internet’s advanced TRAX system, for about the same price as other providers’ standard offerings,” says Mike Legere, president of Transplus. “This partnership is a win-win that will allow both our New Brunswick companies to thrive in the competitive, North American urban transit market.”
