CAMBRIDGE, England, May 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge-based ACIS (Advanced Communication and Information Systems), a leading ITS company, today announced its involvement in the sustainable development initiative being delivered in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. On 20th April, the new Dash Direct bus service was officially launched to provide an attractive public transport alternative to the car for residents of new and existing housing areas developed in South Leighton Buzzard when travelling to the town center and railway station.

The new housing development is being delivered by Charles Church, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey in partnership with Arnold White Estates. As part of the development, ACIS is providing House Display technology (acisHome) which will make live public transport information accessible on a screen in each home, including Arriva's Dash Direct service. The information is delivered by a local network within the development and is designed to help homebuyers decrease the number of short car journeys they make.

The home user is shown the bus route number followed by the destination and the expected departure time of the next bus. Additionally, the next three departures are shown enabling the user to plan their journey according to their personal timetable. The live information is gathered from GPS-tracking equipment on the buses and is updated every 30 seconds. A voice alert can be enabled advising when the next bus is approaching the stop nearest their home. As well as public transport services, information on other travel options, such as walking and cycling routes, is available on screen together with community information, weather forecasts and current news.

Speaking at the launch Cllr Tom Nicols, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development at Central Bedfordshire Council said: The new Dash Direct service is a splendid initiative that offers people living in Southern Leighton Buzzard an alternative method of getting around the town. One of the key issues facing us all is what to do with the number of cars that are on the roads and in driveways of new homes but Dash Direct could offer an opportunity to reduce the need for families to have a second car in the town.

Ian Foll, of the developer Arnold White, which will install the system in 1,330 homes in Leighton Buzzard, says that the ACIS technology could change travel habits. When integrated with a fast, reliable bus service you really start changing how people use public transport.

Supporting these comments, Victoria Harvey of South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth added: It is brilliant that after six years of campaigning we have a new, high quality bus service for Leighton Buzzard that will bring people into the town centre.

ACIS has previously been involved in providing this technology at The Bridge development in Dartford, Kent announced in August 2009. Here, more than a thousand homes, also developed by George Wimpey, were equipped with the acisHome information display as part of the Fastrack project there to deliver a Bus Rapid Transport system for North Kent.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

About ACIS

ACIS is a market leader of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) technology, and the UK's largest systems integrator and provider of real time intelligent passenger information and bus fleet management systems.

With an installed base across the USA, Europe, Middle East and New Zealand, the ACIS solution aggregates large volumes of real-time transport network data to deliver mission-critical business intelligence to Transport Operators empowering them to drive continuous improvements in operational efficiency and service delivery.

The ACIS proven technology is highly valued by Local Authorities, Passenger Transport Executives, House Builders and Developers to improving the attractiveness of public transport as an alternative to the car and underpinning a move for sustainable and environmentally sound public transport infrastructure. ACIS achieves this through the provision of on-vehicle computers, intelligent bus priority at traffic lights, fleet management for Bus Operators, and live multi-modal passenger information for travellers, from the initial planning and throughout journeys, using a variety of channels including interactive home portals, mobile devices, web browsers and SMS.

Renowned for going the extra mile, ACIS is proud of the impact its technology has on the improved use of existing public transport infrastructure and consequent reduction in environmental impact.

About Persimmon Homes

Founded in 1972 and with our headquarters in historic York, the group comprises a North, South and Central Division with a number of regional offices throughout the UK.

Building around 10,000 beautifully designed new homes a year in more than 400 prime locations nationwide, Persimmon is proud to be the one of the UK's leading house builders, committed to the highest standards of design, construction and service. We also take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and are passionate about designing homes that are sensitive to the environment in which they are built.

About Taylor Wimpey

Taylor Wimpey plc is a dedicated homebuilding company with operations in the UK, North America, Spain and Gibraltar and was formed through the merger of George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow on 3rd July 2007. Our aim is to be the homebuilder of choice for our customers, our employees, our shareholders and for the communities in which we operate.

Media Contact: ACIS marketing@acis.uk.com +44(0)1223-728801 http://www.acis.uk.com

SOURCE: ACIS

CONTACT: Media Contact: ACIS, marketing@acis.uk.com, +44(0)1223-728801