How telematics can benefit passenger transportation

Passenger transportation is a crucial industry for the UK economy. The Department for Transport’s latest report, released in December 2023, states that over 645 billion passenger kilometres (around 400 billion miles) were travelled in Great Britain in 2022 (1). Of this, 86% of passenger kilometres were covered by cars, vans, and taxis (2).

With customer demand projected to increase by 79% by 2050 (3), businesses must be prepared to meet customer needs and support a sustainable, net-zero, reliable model that offers significant benefits for companies.

The International Transport Forum highlighted that investing in sustainability in passenger transportation can significantly benefit the industry. They stated, “done the right way, green, clean, and more resilient transport will offer more affordable, safer, and accessible services to all citizens” (4), making the path to clean and sustainable transport evident.

However, challenges such as fuel efficiency, competitive pressures, vehicle maintenance, labour costs, CO2 emissions, productivity, and customer service are always present for passenger transportation companies, but  fleet management technology can help make a difference and  simplify the shift to a sustainable transportation model.

Let’s dive into some important insights that show how.

Insight #1: Customer-centric culture for enhanced results

Transportation companies enhance customer loyalty and retention by delivering top-notch experiences, crucial for standing out from the competition and achieving business success. According to research, “various factors such as customer satisfaction, quality of service, customer experience, and customer relationship management” all play a part when it comes to customer preference (5). 

Customer satisfaction can be influenced by service and product quality, brand loyalty, and company reputation (6), which is why fleet management technology can be a game-changer for passenger transportation companies. This technology can enhance customer experience by providing accurate ETAs, sharing near real-time locations of the technician or service booked, and involving customers in the process, giving them some control over it. It not only supports a customer-centric culture but also improves service quality, as evidenced by 58% of GPS fleet management users in the recent Fleet Technology Trends Report Europe 2024.

Download the eBrief Advanced Fleet Management technology for Passenger Transportation and learn more about how businesses benefit from these innovative telematics solutions.

Insight #2: Customers want a safe and smooth ride 

One of the fundamental pillars of a company’s reputation lies in its safety standards. That’s why it’s essential for passenger transportation companies to provide a safe, convenient, and high-quality service. To achieve this, it’s crucial to have control over both driver behaviour and vehicle maintenance. In this regard, a GPS fleet management solution proves invaluable as it enables:

• Monitoring of the team’s driving habits to implement measures that promote safe and efficient driving practices. This helps to reduce various forms of aggressive driving behaviour, such as speeding. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, “around two-thirds of collisions in which people are killed or injured occur on roads with a speed limit of 30mph or less. At 30mph, vehicles are travelling at 44 feet (about three car lengths) each second” (7), meaning keeping a close eye on the team’s driving definitely makes sense to try and prevent car crashes.
• Effective vehicle maintenance by combining both preventive and predictive approaches. By monitoring engine hours and mileage, and promptly addressing any arising needs, companies can reduce significant and costly repairs, as well as vehicle downtime in the workshop.

Another pillar of safety in the case of long-distance passenger transport is compliance with driving times and rest periods, as these are crucial to ensure the safety of both driver and passengers.

Consider the role of long-distance bus drivers. FISA reports that police statistics show fatigue contributes to about 4% of fatal road crashes and 2% of all collisions in Britain (8), therefore, combating driver fatigue is crucial. Ensuring a driver’s condition is assessed before they begin their duties should be a priority for the company.

By using fleet management technologies alongside a digital tachograph, this enables operations to be monitored remotely, almost in real time, and to check on driving hours and rest periods. The technology also shows whether the driver is adhering to legal requirements before operating a vehicle.

We offer fleet management solutions designed to boost safety and service quality for passenger transportation companies. By enhancing these areas, your business can distinguish itself from competitors who do not use these advanced technologies, potentially transforming safety and improving customer service.

The future of passenger transportation is now

Passenger transportation companies in the UK are poised for significant growth in the coming years due to increasing demand. Therefore, proactively positioning your company in the market and setting it apart from competitors can be highly advantageous.

Learn more about how beneficial an advanced fleet management solution can be for your company and find out how our platform gives you the visibility you need for your business.

Sources: 

• (1-2)https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-statistics-great-britain-2023/transport-statistics-great-britain-2022-domestic-travel
• (3-4)https://www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/itf-transport-outlook-2023-launch.pdf
• (5-6)https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nitin-Rane-2/publication/370561455_Enhancing_customer_loyalty_through_quality_of_service_Effective_strategies_to_improve_customer_satisfaction_experience_relationship_and_engagement/links/645612ad97449a0e1a7f308a/Enhancing-customer-loyalty-through-quality-of-service-Effective-strategies-to-improve-customer-satisfaction-experience-relationship-and-engagement.pdf
• (7)https://www.rospa.com/getmedia/3a1c38a0-6a38-438d-a329-20480967a6f0/Inappropriate-Speed-Factsheet-Oct-2023.pdf
• (8)https://ukfisa.com/Safety/Safety-Library/driver-fatigue#:~:text=Police%20statistics%20show%20that%20fatigue,can't%20test%20for%20tiredness.