Don’t Travel Empty has launched a new-look version nine of its website featuring what the supplier describes as enhanced coach and vehicle management systems alongside other improvements.
The platform changed ownership last year. It is being rekindled under a new team led by Adrian Smith, the former Managing Director of North East England coach operator Gardiners NMC.
Mr Smith says that he and his colleagues “have been working tirelessly in the background” to reestablish the brand, which describes itself as the coach industry’s fourth emergency service and aims to reduce operators’ unproductive miles.
Alongside updates, Don’t Travel Empty continues to provide the established 24/7 passenger recovery service, job sharing, and single-journey CoachBook platform.
The updated management systems are targeted at coach companies that run up to 20 vehicles and offer what Mr Smith says is “a practical and efficient system to support everyday operation.” That package can be added to the traditional Don’t Travel Empty membership to give what he adds is a multi-purpose website.
Other key updates include instant membership sign-up from the homepage; unlimited training; and emphasis on a strong value-for-membership package for coach operators.
Users can take basic or enhanced Don’t Travel Empty membership to gain to the 24/7 passenger recovery service; CoachBook; job sharing between operators; advertising for single-leg journey and excess work; Master Map; and practical industry community support when needed.
Speaking about the changes, Mr Smith says: “Version nine is an important step forward for Don’t Travel Empty. The new website makes sign-up quicker and easier, while the updated coach and vehicle management systems give operators practical tools to manage their fleets more efficiently.
“Combined with 24/7 passenger recovery and CoachBook, this creates a strong-value package for the coach industry.”
Pricing is based on fleet size. Also offered are options for the Coach Hire Directory to boost online visibility and generate more direct enquiries, with packages available from a free listing to regional visibility and hosted website or customer records management support. Four growth tiers of managed marketing backing are a further option.
