Arriva, the public transport operator, is to invest up to €10 million in innovative technology throughout a 10-year contract with Venice-based engineering and technology expert Thetis SpA, the Arriva Malta consortium said last Friday.

Thetis will supply and maintain transport fleet management and passenger information systems, including real-time control of buses and passenger information feeds and displays, electronic ticketing, and video surveillance.

The company will also supply technology for the barrier and ticket management of the three park and ride sites, and all the related back office and control centre systems.

Arriva promises passengers will benefit from a well-managed network and more information: the control centre will send bus arrival information to around 100 electronic displays at terminals and bus stops.

Buses will also feature next stop displays and announcements to help those on board keep track of where they are on their journey.

Thetis has considerable expertise in innovative technology solutions for transport, having already been involved in the development of high profile intelligent mobility systems in Venice, Bologna and Rome and in China and India.

It was responsible for the design and provision of GPS management for special bus lines during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.