ITxPT is an open, common architecture for IT in public transport. The aim is to ensure that equipment and systems can communicate across suppliers – covering operations, passenger information and new needs such as energy and charging management for e-buses.
Why is ITxPT important in e-bus operations?
With e-buses it is no longer just a matter of filling up with diesel. Energy consumption, charging time and when the HVAC system runs all have a direct impact on range. ITxPT provides a common framework for how data such as position, vehicle status and energy use can be shared across vehicles, depots and energy systems. This makes it possible to connect e-buses, charging infrastructure and operational systems in one open architecture instead of a set of isolated silos.
For PTAs and PTOs, ITxPT requirements in e-bus tenders are therefore not only about IT – they are about operating costs, flexibility and the ability to develop new energy-related services over time.
Adibus Preconditioning – comfort and energy optimisation in one solution
A concrete example of how ITxPT is used actively in e-bus operations is adibus Preconditioning. A temperature sensor is installed in the bus and connected to the Vehicle Communication Gateway (VCG). The VCG continuously monitors the temperature in the bus and can automatically start heating or cooling via the HVAC system – typically while the bus is still connected to the charger.
In practice this means that:
- adibusLive reads the temperature in the bus,
- if it is too low or too high, the HVAC is activated before departure,
- heating or cooling is carried out while the bus is connected to depot power – not at the expense of the battery.
The result is a comfortable temperature when passengers board, less unnecessary energy consumption and gentler use of both battery and HVAC equipment. Preconditioning is built on the same open architecture, allowing it to interact with other Adibus and third-party solutions.
ChargePlan – the brain behind intelligent charging
While Preconditioning focuses on comfort and consumption in the bus itself, adibus ChargePlan is the “brain” at the depot. ChargePlan is an intelligent charging management system that optimises charging of e-buses based on three main parameters:
- the total available power at the depot,
- the buses’ timetables – start and end times,
- electricity prices, typically based on day-ahead prices.
Using this, ChargePlan calculates an optimal charging plan for the entire fleet so that buses have the energy they need for their duties, charging is shifted to the cheapest hours whenever possible, and depot power limits are respected. ChargePlan can run as a standalone solution or in a professional configuration, integrated with planning systems or directly with operational and ITxPT data for more accurate journey and energy planning.
Bringing ITxPT, Preconditioning and ChargePlan together
When ITxPT, Preconditioning and ChargePlan are used together, they form a unified energy platform:
- ITxPT ensures that data about trips, times and vehicle status can be shared across systems.
- Preconditioning uses this data to secure comfort and optimise consumption on board.
- ChargePlan uses timetables, historical consumption and electricity prices to create an intelligent charging plan for the fleet.
For operators this means fewer unpleasant surprises in the form of buses that are not charged, less risk of charging in the most expensive hours, reduced wear on batteries and a single overview of charging and energy use across buses and chargers.
What does this mean for you as a PTA or PTO?
By combining ITxPT requirements with Adibus solutions in an e-bus context, you get an open architecture where charging management, bus IT and planning systems can be replaced or expanded without starting from scratch. You gain measurable benefits in terms of energy, economy and comfort – both in daily operations and in reporting. And you get a solution that is easy to adapt when new buses, new charging suppliers or new political goals appear.
