CitySwift Expands into the APAC market, Marked by First Regional Partnership with Citybus in Hong Kong

CitySwift, the Irish data-company leading in performance optimisation for the public transport sector worldwide, has announced its expansion into the APAC market. This news has been marked with its first partnership in the region,  with Citybus, a leading bus operator servicing over 1.1 million customers daily across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Following twelve months of rapid growth for the business, CitySwift – which was founded in 2016 by Brian O’Rourke and Alan Farrelly – will now be working in the APAC region with further global expansion set to be a key focus in 2025. Since inception, CitySwift has operated in its home territory of Ireland, as well as the UK and the US. In 2024, CitySwift partnered with leading UK bus operators, including Go-Ahead Group, Transport for Wales, and National Express. Earlier this year, CitySwift signed its largest deal to date with Transport for London, a move that underscores the demand for data-driven solutions to alleviate challenges faced by operators, passengers and drivers alike.

“Across the world, operators are looking for ways to make bus networks more efficient, reliable, and sustainable, and data-driven technology is proving to be the key. At CitySwift, we are committed to helping cities and operators harness the power of AI to optimise routes, reduce emissions, and improve passenger experience. Our expansion into the APAC market is a direct response to the growing need for smarter public transport and we’re excited to bring our expertise to the region at a time when the world is looking for innovative ways to make mobility more sustainable,” said CEO Brian O’Rouke on the announcement. 

This latest partnership with Citybus aims to power Hong Kong’s public transport network using AI and data to improve bus service reliability and deliver a better customer experience. With a fleet of over 1,700 buses and a workforce of more than 5,000 employees, this agreement marks a significant milestone for Citybus. The operator is setting up a new AI-driven Operations Control Centre to elevate the customer experience and boost operational efficiency. In addition to reducing excess wait times, balancing supply and demand, and enhancing overall operational efficiency, the partnership will also lower costs through team and vehicle efficiency improvements while embracing digital transformation and technological innovation.

Richard Hall, Managing Director of Citybus, commented: “Citybus is unwavering in our commitment to investing in the long-term future for our business and the franchised bus system in Hong Kong. Thanks to CitySwift’s AI-powered performance management platform, we are poised to deliver an even more customer centric, efficient and agile network based on our strong operating foundations. We look forward to this new partnership with CitySwift and delivering an enhanced operating model achieving even greater outputs and ultimately a stronger and higher quality customer proposition, enhancing our business and growth opportunities in the future.”

Powered by AI data processing, CitySwift works with public sector transport authorities and private bus operators to break down the barriers to accessing and interpreting transport data, replacing manual analysis with insights, recommendations and simulations. This solution enhances efficiency, benefiting drivers, passengers, partners, and cities, aiding in the transition from private vehicles to more sustainable public transportation. With its industry-leading technology, CitySwift envisions a future where public transport is the travel mode of choice in cities across the world.

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