Whether a school bus is operated commercially or via a contract with a day rate, operators avoiding technology are missing out on the potential to earn themselves extra revenue. Worse still, operators risk being perceived as not relevant to clients and customers, creating a void that will undoubtedly be filled by a competing operator or transport broker.
Expectations of clients and customers have shifted significantly. Parents demand flexibility to book transport 24/7 around their busy lifestyles, and many want to do this at the last possible moment. Parents want continuous reassurance that transport is safe for their children and they want everything quicker; whether that’s a bus pass being issued or an update regarding travel disruption. This pressure is also felt by schools and colleges and then amplified back onto the operator.
Unlocking business growth
ShuttleID launched an affordable all-in-one system designed specifically for operators of school and college bus services. The system gives operators all the key features required to meet the needs of a modern school bus service; mobile ticketing, service alerts, vehicle tracking, parent boarding notifications, online payments and bookings, and reporting.
Rather than an expensive or complex ticket machine, ShuttleID is instead powered by a simple driver app. This makes it cost-effective to use on home-to-school services but also portable so any vehicle or driver can use the technology. The emergence of data that was previously missing means a range of opportunities are now possible.
Protecting revenue
Drivers have less to worry about as the driver app scans tickets to validate and protect revenue. Chasing payments from parents is less of an issue as the system automatically handles recurring payments and does the chasing for you. The operator has ultimate control and can prevent repeat offenders from travelling with the press of a button.
Securing and expanding routes
It is no longer a case of whoever is cheapest wins but who can actually give the client what they want. The industry has many examples of operators who have been blindsided and lost longstanding contracts simply because they didn’t offer any technology. Savvy operators now factor technology into their tenders and they are winning. To safeguard contracts, operators should consider putting forward a price for both with and without technology.
Less admin
A key benefit of introducing a system like ShuttleID is reaping the rewards of automation. By automating many of the thankless tasks involved, staff are suddenly free to focus on more important jobs and growing school routes becomes a real possibility. This includes repetitive tasks such as printing or replacing passes, selling over the phone, chasing payments and answering parent phone calls regarding the bus whereabouts.
Keeping operators in control
ShuttleID’s simple technology has gained traction, with over 100 transport operators in the UK and Ireland already benefiting from its features. Operators looking to modernise their school bus are invited to get in touch with ShuttleID for more information and a free demo.
