All Aboard as Unisys wins train station deal

The six-year contract is worth approximately $11.4 million.

The system operates across 220 stations on the Melbourne metropolitan train network.

The customer information system is designed to improve the accuracy of schedule updates given to rail passengers waiting on platforms, via screens and audio announcements.

The information is particularly useful when there are disruptions such as train breakdowns, natural disasters or medical emergencies.

"With approximately 2,500 train services running daily on the Melbourne metropolitan rail network, the messaging system is an essential component of this new customer information system," said Sue Carter, vice president, Commercial Industries, Unisys Asia Pacific. 

"As it incorporates an application that Unisys has deployed successfully in other large engagements, this is a proven solution with the potential for additional messaging capability using other channels such as mobile phones and the internet."

Under the contract Unisys will develop and supply the new customer information application and required hardware. 

This includes advisory, architecture design, development, testing and multi-year support services, to modernise the Department of Transport's legacy passenger information system.  

Unisys will also provide ongoing support for both the new and old systems while the application is rolled out across the metropolitan rail network. 

The application, to be developed by Unisys, is expected to be built in the Linux Open Source environment using Java development tools. 

A key part of the new system is the integration of the Unisys Next Generation Notification Service (NGNS), developed by Unisys.