TransMach launches Bus Tracker
New vehicle tracking equipment is free of charge to service package customers
Contactless ticketing and travel software specialist, TransMach, is launching Bus Tracker.
Developed in-house, Bus Tracker utilises the company’s 4G Android ticket machines to pin-point a bus’s precise location via GPS software. Its provider says it is the ‘most accurate in the industry’.
As part of its service package to operators, TransMach is making its ‘Bus Tracker’ available to customers free of charge, to assist with their recovery from the effects of the pandemic. A website ‘plug-in’ branded for each operator, the system allows passengers to track bus services in real-time, showing expected arrival times at each stop. This is intended to reduce telephone and social media enquiries, thereby saving operators time and resources.
The ticket machine-enabled vehicle tracking system’s launch follows six-month trials with selected customers in the UK and Ireland. TransMach reports the tests have seen passenger numbers increase by as much as 10%.
Following the government’s introduction of the Bus Open Data Service (BODS) for live vehicle location, basic fares and ticket data in January 2021, which covers all local services in England, many operators have struggled with the challenges of providing this legally required data, according to TransMach director, Minesh Vandra.
“Our ‘Bus Tracker’ module is unique to the UK market and its capability saves operators considerable time and resources” – TransMach director, Minesh Vandra
Minesh said: “Our experience suggests that the majority of smaller, regional operators, many of which are family-owned businesses, still use older generation ticketing machines. This means that BODS data has to be processed manually, which is very labour intensive and not economically sustainable.
“TransMach works closely with provincial bus companies to upgrade them to a cloud-based system, which ticks all the boxes regarding contactless payment compatibility, BODS compliance, driver shift allocation, vehicle mileage and occupancy rates. We’ve seen customers boost passenger numbers by more than 10% after moving to this technology.
“Our ‘Bus Tracker’ module is unique to the UK market and its capability saves operators considerable time and resources, allowing them to focus on delivering the most efficient service. TransMach’s contactless ticket machines are also helpful when it comes to securing Bus Service Operator Grants (BSOG) from local authorities, as they are compatible with all forms of contactless payment protocol, including ITSO smart cards, travel QR codes and the latest EMV specification.”
In addition, the TransMach Cloud mobile app enables managers to run their operations whilst on the move. A smartphone dashboard provides live ticket revenue and enables two-way messaging with drivers, via the onboard ticket machine.
Minesh Vandra concludes: “For many operators, the impact of Covid-19 has meant that the person owning the business has often needed to drive a bus themselves. TransMach’s team will continue to support our colleagues across the industry with innovative ways of improving efficiency, while reducing their cost base.”