Bus Éireann is to fit its fleet with an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system in an effort to counteract the country's burgeoning traffic congestion problems, which cost the company €18 million last year.
The company has put out a tender seeking a consultant to identify a relevant system.
A spokesman for Bus Éireann told Motors an automatic vehicle tracking system would "improve timekeeping and control of the fleet". Using satellite global positioning systems, the technology can pinpoint vehicles to within 10 metres. He said if and when the system is fitted it would allow local depots to keep a closer eye on the location of services.
"We will be able to estimate more accurately the time of arrival of buses," the spokesman added. "If we know exactly where the buses are then we can make more efficient arrangements for passengers."
Bus Éireann estimates that traffic congestion cost it in the region of €18 million last year and €12 million the year before.
"The problem is not just confined to the Dublin area or city services in Cork or Limerick. It effects all our services."
Dublin Bus operates a form of AVL called Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) on three of its routes on a pilot basis.
The 78A, 25A and 51 servicing the Clondalkin, Ballymun and Lucan bus corridors in the capital are fitted with GPS equipment which relays information to a central terminal in the Conyngham Road garage.
Information can subsequently be sent to bus shelters along the routes to inform passengers if they have just missed a bus or if one is nearby. "People don't mind waiting so much if they have the information," said a spokeswoman for Dublin Bus.
"We rolled out RTPI about 18 months ago and it has proven to be very effective. Customer surveys show they like the idea of knowing if they have just missed a bus."
The spokeswoman said the company would like to expand the system to the entire fleet of 1,100 buses. "It would cost €7 million and we would like to do it, but it obviously depends on Government funding."
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