Transport Made Simple (TMS) has launched Cafe Connect, an innovative hybrid cafe and travel information hub in Colchester.
The coach and bus business, which operates services as Konectbus in the city, has trained the cafe’s baristas to give out information about the entire Colchester bus network, regardless of operator.
The cafe, which is located at the Digital Forum co-working space in the city centre, will be stocked with network maps and timetable leaflets, as well as a tablet so staff can demonstrate how to use TMS’s app.
TMS points out that the food and drink sales will enable the information centre to be sustainable at a time when other travel shops are increasingly having to close.
The group’s Managing Director, Peter Nathanail, says: “The concept is simple: we provide great food and drink, much of it locally sourced from across our bus network, and in addition our team are trained to provide help and support to bus users.
“Phoebe and Bella, our new baristas, spent time with Matthew Camp from our commercial team last week, learning all about Colchester’s bus network, and we also have a tablet to help people learn how to use our app…
“This is all about delivering high-quality, reliable bus services for the communities we serve, and making buses accessible to all, whilst also having a commercial model that is sustainable.”
TMS is one of the largest operators in the East Midlands and East Anglia. Having launched 10 years ago, its Central Connect, Simonds and Flagfinders arms operate nearly 400 vehicles via around 800 staff.
Following the acquisition of Konectbus from the Go-Ahead Group last year, all TMS bus services will fall under the Central Connect brand from July.
