Centurion Travel of Midsomer Norton is among early coach operator customers of Ferdia in the UK, and the operator’s Director Steve Spiller has outlined excitement around its digital transformation and his outlook on the future via the partnership.
Ferdia launched in the UK at Euro Bus Expo in 2024. It is a Norwegian business that says it aims to automate and streamline operations via a coach management system. Ferdia is led by CEO Håkon Sæther, with a recently appointed UK Country Manager in Daniel Morton.
The supplier offers online capabilities, interactive quoting, and AI-driven tools as part of its solution; Mr Spiller is a 25-year veteran of the industry and says that the drive to modernise his operations sits alongside a desire to strike a better personal work-life balance.
“Observing how other sectors have evolved, it became obvious that we had a real opportunity to improve our efficiency,” he says. “The hours spent on manual tasks were a key pain point, highlighting the necessity for a solution that could free both time and resources.”
Centurion Travel was led to Ferdia following a conversation involving other coach operators. The platform has potential to streamline coach operations and implement a consistent, dynamic pricing model, says Mr Sæther.
It also includes a driver app, which was adopted easily and without issue. “Operationally, it is easy to visualise where we are. The safeguards are working, and everything is running smoothly,” Mr Spiller continues. Feedback from drivers and customers alike is positive.
Those clients can access all their booking information in one centralised location. That is particularly beneficial for schools and promises increased efficiency and potential cost savings. A significant benefit for customers is anticipated by the operator.
“The simpler, easier booking process that Ferdia facilitates will be a key differentiator for us in the future,” notes Mr Spiller. “The vision is to create a truly seamless experience for the customer where they can book and receive a service through one central point, mirroring the convenience they can expect from larger platforms.”
A cornerstone of the successful implementation has been close collaboration between the Centurion Travel and Ferdia teams. From an initial exploratory phase to go-live work, they worked closely, including via regular interactive sessions, comprehensive training, and on-site visits.
“Ferdia has held our hand through every step, reacting quickly to any questions we have had,” continues Mr Spiller.
He adds that his personal goal around work-life balance sits with to the Ferdia product’s offering. The supplier has actively contributed solutions tailored to Centurion Travel’s specific needs, bringing a fresh perspective on the operator’s internal processes.
“My main ambition is to spend more time at home and let the system work for me,” Mr Spiller explains. Ferdia adds that its goal is to streamline every function, from dynamic quoting to booking and delivery, with minimal human input to increase efficiency and margins.
Looking further ahead, Mr Spiller anticipates a strong partnership with Ferdia. His work-life goal is intertwined with the ambition of an increasingly autonomous system that streamlines every aspect of a coach business, from initial customer enquiries to service delivery, potential to leverage AI in vehicle allocation, and the prospect of what the supplier says is “seamless collaboration” with other operators across the UK.
