Transdev’s innovative new app not only utilises contracted school buses during out-of-school hours, but also allows passengers to choose where they want buses to go
Harrogate-based Transdev Blazefield has introduced crowd-funding travel to its repertoire through the launch of its app, Vamooz.
With all the things a passenger would need in one place, the chance for customers to suggest destinations, and already a successful first trip under its belt, the app is proving to be a popular complement to traditional bus travel.
How it started
One of the triggers that led to Vamooz was the desire to use its resources more effectively, as well as to generate stand-alone, subscription level services.
Says Transdev Blazefield’s CEO Alex Hornby: “Transdev Blazefield has around 60 school buses that are not effectively utilised outside school hours.
“We visited one of the local schools in Harrogate and they identified that they had children coming from Ripon on our flagship 36 brand, which was getting busy with both commuters and students.
Since students were craving an alternative, a dedicated bus – that will now become a permanent Vamooz operation – crowdfunded by parents was arranged.
“Customers will be able to buy a bus pass on the app, which will create a photo card pass, and the student will be able to get on the bus and show their phone with their photo card on it.”
How it works
Vamooz allows customers to suggest destinations that buses wouldn’t ordinarily reach, such as concerts and shopping destinations.
Once interest is generated and the trip is justified, the journey is arranged and customers accept paying the initial price. As more people commit to the journey the price gets lower for everyone.
“The great thing about Vamooz is that crowd-funding tests demand in real-time,” says Alex. “By displaying trips on the app, or testing views on suggested trips on social media, we can measure the reaction of it and decide whether to go ahead.”
Adds Vamooz ’s Sales and Operations Manager Rebecca Reeve-Burnett: “Customers don’t pay until the trip goes ahead so they’re guaranteed to pay the lowest price.”
“The app is completely integrated and intuitive,” says Alex. “Customers can see what trips are available, how much they cost, suggest trips, hire Vamooz buses, pay for journeys, and even the ticket is on the app.”
He adds: “We’re saying ‘let’s run buses when people want buses, to where passengers want them to run, and they will take ownership of it as they’ve had a role in the destination or the price’.”
Spreading the word
Social media is used to market the app, and it’s also used to find out where customers want to go, not just encouraging them to book the trips that are already organsised.
“It’s more to say to people ‘where do you want to go?’ – that’s what Vamooz is about,” adds Rebecca.
Confirmed trips then rely on self-marketing as it’s in the best interest of the customer to share the details.
“The price gets lower and lower as more people book it, so the idea is that customers will share it with their friends and family on their own social networks.
“We’ve watched the reach of Vamooz multiply and multiply,” says Alex.
Creating the app
Transdev worked with Joel Kidd from Southampton-based Find My Bus to develop the app.
Says Alex: “We wanted to work with a developer who we could would grow with us in terms of refining the idea and we found Joel who was already doing some good things with other travel apps.”
Rebecca adds: “We didn’t know everything we wanted in the beginning so being able to add new things to it is ideal. Joel is flexible and has lots of ideas to bring to the table as well.”
The first trip
The first Vamooz trip took place on Sunday 4 June, taking 168 passengers to the One Love Manchester concert.
Says Alex: “We weren’t planning on operating the first journey until a few weeks later, but after the amount of suggestions we received, we just decided to get on with it, which is a testament of the agility Vamooz and how quickly our operational teams can react.”
The information was put onto social media on Thursday 1 June and the tickets for the two buses were sold out within eight hours.
“We initially had two buses going to the Manchester concert, but when they sold out we had to add another one,” says Alex. “It only took another 10 hours or so before the third bus had sold out as well.”
Transdev received a positive response to the trip, with passengers even posting videos of the journey on social media.
Says Rebecca: “It was a very quick turnaround, very exciting to do, and a big success.”
Vamooz ’s future
“I am getting out and talking to businesses and schools about whether the Vamooz model can be rolled out to them,” says Rebecca.
Adds Alex: “The product and app is flexible – day trips is just one element, private hire is another but the real aim is to create permanent, subscription services that complement the existing network, built in harmony alongside interested parties, such as schools and business parties.
“We see this as growth tool, not just as a way of bleeding resources. We have an aim for more Vazmooz buses out there serving bits of the network we don’t currently serve.
“Whether day trips or subscription services grow faster, we don’t know until we try and, given the versatility of Vamooz and the interest it is already creating, I am sure that other doors will open for us along the way.”
