Government to Open-source Beeline Platform Code to Catalyse Industry and Public Innovation

Government To Open Source Beeline Platform Code To Catalyse Industry And Public Innovation

30 Sep 2017

In line with Singapore’s Smart Nation vision of catalysing innovation and co-creation, the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) will progressively open-source the code [^1] for the Beeline smart mobility platform from October 2017. Industry and individual developers will be able to adopt, build on and scale up the platform or develop new mobility solutions using the code.

Jointly developed by GovTech and Land Transport Authority (LTA), Beeline is an open, cloud-based smart mobility platform to provide data-driven shuttle bus services for commuters.

Commuters can use the Beeline app to book seats on available private express bus routes in advance. Should there be sufficient commuter demand for a certain route, the route will automatically be activated. Beeline enables private bus operators to provide shuttle bus services based on commuters’ demand and economic viability, and use data analytics tools for fleet management and operations.

Designed on an open architecture, Beeline enables private transport operators and tech start-ups to easily build and integrate additional applications/functions, providing more convenient transport options for commuters. Since its pilot in 2015, seven private transport operators – including Grab (GrabShuttle), BusPlus, Aedge Holdings and Woodlands Transport – are on the Beeline platform, with more than 130 bus routes deployed on Beeline.

Catalysing Innovative Mobility Solutions

Jacqueline Poh, Chief Executive, GovTech, said, “Getting people from one place to another in an efficient and pleasant manner is a challenge that all cities are facing. Smart urban mobility is a key component of Singapore’s Smart Nation vision. Transport APIs have been made available through the open data portal, Data.gov.sg, and we have seen applications created out of such APIs. By open-sourcing Beeline, we hope to catalyse innovative solutions, be it by commercial operators or individual developers. We are inviting developers to improve our open-sourced code and push out new features to the benefit of citizens at a faster pace.”

Chua U-Zyn, Founder, Zynesis, said, “Open-sourcing encourages open innovation and collaboration between the public and Government – a true quality of a Smart Nation, where anyone and everyone is able to contribute to the public good. I applaud GovTech’s move to open-source Beeline, and hope this would encourage more software companies and individuals in Singapore to actively participate and open-source their work.”

The first set of Beeline code will be released on 1 October 2017, on GitHub.

For more information, interested members of the transport industry may write to feedback@beeline.sg

Developers may get in touch with the Beeline dev team by opening a GitHub issue on the repositories listed above.

Enc: Beeline Factsheet

[^1]: Key components of the code base that may compromise the security of the Beeline platform will not be open-sourced.

About Government Technology Agency

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) is a statutory board formed in October 2016 after the restructuring of the Infocomm Development Authority.

Following the formation of the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group in May 2017, GovTech is placed under the Prime Minister’s Office as the implementing agency of the Group. GovTech works with public agencies to develop and deliver secure digital services and applied technology to individuals and businesses in Singapore. GovTech builds key platforms and solutions needed to support Singapore as a Smart Nation. As a leading centre for information communications technology and related engineering such as the Internet of Things, Data Science and Application Development, GovTech also enhances the capabilities of the Singapore Government in these domains.

For media clarification

Elizabeth LEE (Ms)
Assistant Manager, Communications and Marketing Group
Government Technology Agency
DID: (65) 6211 1267
Email: Elizabeth_Lee@tech.gov.sg

Joycelyn CHAN (Ms)
Assistant Director, Communications & Marketing Group
Government Technology Agency
DID: (65) 6211 1151
Email: Joycelyn_Chan@tech.gov.sg

Press release issued by Government Technology Agency of Singapore