Founded in 1987, Horários do Funchal (HF) is the main public transportation operator in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, Portugal. Each year, about 17 million passengers use the operator’s services to travel across the city.
At the helm of the Operation Support Office is Andreia Quintal, who plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of HF’s transport services.
Before switching to Optibus, HF says it encountered significant hurdles due to the rigid framework of an outdated legacy system it had in place. The system’s lack of flexibility made it difficult for Andreia and her team to respond promptly to passenger demands, disruptive weather conditions, and unexpected events, the operator said, slowing down situational response times, negatively impacting services, passenger satisfaction, and driver morale.
Optibus says that following the introduction of its Planning & Scheduling software, the operator achieved a new level of operational agility and decision-making. Equipped with the software’s rapid scenario creation, HF was better positioned to quickly evaluate various operational and service outcomes side-by-side and make informed decisions, says Optibus.
“The agility we’ve gained in our operations is unparalleled. We’re no longer bogged down by the limitations of our old systems,” added Andreia.
Optibus says that the adoption of its software not only improved team morale and fostered a healthier work atmosphere, but also led to tangible improvements in operational efficiency, resource allocation – especially vehicles and drivers – and passenger experience.
The operator says it is now able to quickly adapt and respond to situations as they evolve, and also now has access to a central repository for all of its operational data, helping to give a much better understanding of its network as a whole.
“Optibus has not just been a tool, but a catalyst for change within our organisation,” Andreia stated, highlighting the software’s role in redefining HF’s operational strategy.
As a result of the changes, HF says it has not only elevated its service quality but also set a new standard for operational excellence in public transport.
See page 34 for a closer look at the bus services of Madeira.