Courtney Coaches Rolls-out Ground Breaking Ticketing Solution from Leading Mobile Technology Companies
Released on: October 17, 2007, 9:21 am
Press Release Author: Momote / Wildfire PR
Industry: Transportation & Logistics
Press Release Summary: New ticketing solution harnesses mobile technology to offer significant savings to bus operators
Press Release Body: 17th October 2007 - Courtney Coaches has today rolled out a new technologically advanced bus ticketing solution across its Berkshire based fleet. Developed through partnerships with mobile technology specialists Momote1, ETMSS2, Zebra Technologies3 and Fleetwood4, the ticketing solution will change the face of bus travel; both for Courtney Coaches, who will experience significantly improved business efficiencies in the form of reduced costs and maintenance as well as vehicle tracking, and for its customers, who will as a result receive a better service along with precise and swift live report's available for Local Borough Council contracts.
The new solution - will be Introduced across Courtney Coaches' fleet operating across the southern counties and costs less than half the price of conventional machines - It comprises of a compact IMC (industrial mobile computer) sized terminal from Fleetwood and the MZ220 mobile printer from Zebra technologies, both of which can be mounted at the driver's kiosk. ETMSS developed the complete solution using Momote's development platform, which enabled it to quickly design, develop, deploy and manage the customised wireless mobility application.
"Technology in the bus-ticketing world has remained static for decades, and the bulky ticketing machines are expensive, have lots of moving parts and generate significant maintenance costs," explained Graham Whistance, Managing Director, Momote. "This new solution is a pioneering development for the industry, and will offer operators significant savings in time, costs and maintenance, helping to improve customer service as well as manage fleets more efficiently."
Following the trials held using one of Courtney Coaches' local service buses, ETMSS will market the pioneering solution to other leading transport companies. Benefits that these companies can enjoy as a result of the new solution include:
. Future-proofing of investment - The ETMSS solution will easily accommodate future developments in ticketing such as mobile phone payment and barcode/RFID tags on 'Oyster card'-like smart cards for OAPs which will be introduced nationwide under a new government initiative
1 Momote is a leading provider of tailored wireless service management solutions 2 ETMSS (Electronic Ticket Machine Software Services) provides software configuration engineering 3 Zebra Technologies delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world 4 Fleetwood specialises in the development and supply of electronic systems for mobile resource management
. Lower maintenance costs - With no moving parts, repair costs are minimised and downtime is eradicated - if any faults do occur, each part of the system can be removed and repaired independently . Reduced investment in hardware - The PDA-style device incorporates mobile phone capabilities, satellite navigation and GPS tracking, removing the need to invest in separate devices to perform these functions, which along with the ticketing machine itself can add up to more than £8,000 . Engine management information recording - Software loaded onto the device can link up with the engine management system and record details of the driver's performance and fuel efficiency of that style of driving. Remedying inefficient practices such as braking hard or sitting stationary with the engine on can save an average of 7% on fuel bills; often the highest outgoing for transport companies . GPS Tracking - The PDA-style device contains a GPS tracking device which allows operators to monitor the precise location of the vehicle at any point, hence can track routes, and can provide assistance should a vehicle need to unexpectedly divert . Decreased insurance costs -The GPS capability of the system allows operators to set up safety zones. If the vehicle moves outside the parameters set for a specific time frame (for example, the zone may be set around the bus depot for the hours when the bus is not in service), police will be alerted to the movement, and will be provided with details of the vehicle's exact location at that time. Because of the improved chance of recovery, insurance premiums are reduced . Easy recording of sales figures - Records of sales figures and passenger traffic patterns are automatically recorded in real time to a database accessible via a web browser, making access to statistics fast and simple
"Courtney Coaches is the first coach company to deploy this solution, which underlines our position as innovators in the market," said Bill Courtney, Courtney Coaches. "The benefits it could offer us made it a totally compelling proposal; the payback period will be short and as a result of this installation, we will be able to compete more efficiently in the market. In future, bus operators without such systems will, as a result, most likely find themselves at a disadvantage when tendering."
"With more than 12 years experience in the bus-ticketing industry, we knew exactly where the shortfalls in the sector's technology lay," said David Price, ETMSS. "Each of the companies involved in this project are leaders in their field, and the result is a unique solution that will bring bus travel into the 21st century."
- ends -
About Momote Momote provides tailored wireless solutions that work across all platforms and on all devices. Momote's agile approach to mobile application development combined with the very latest innovations in mobile technology rapidly delivers real-time, always connected solutions for corporates and developers alike. Momote works in partnership with some of the biggest enterprises in the mobile industry, such as Orange, Motorola and Zebra, in order to provide one of the highest quality end-to-services in the market. Customers include corporate organisations such as Autoglass and Iveco, and ISVs, including Zafire, Professional IT and Courier Exchange. For more information, please see www.momote.com
About ETMSS Ltd ETMSS Ltd (Electronic Ticket Machine Software Services, UK) is an independent company of ex-wayfarer software configuration engineers with over 12 years\' experience within the Industry. The company offers transport operators configuration of fare updates, concessionary fare Schemes, ticket & keyboard alterations, system set-up and training, as well help & advice for the main ticket machines on the market. For more information, please visit www.etmss.com
About Fleetwood Fleetwood Electronics Limited supplies mobile hardware and systems that allow managers of vehicles or mobile workers to optimise their performance through information delivery and improved management. Today the solutions offered by Fleetwood bring together software applications, mobile communications, GPS based location tracking, engine management and mobile devices to enable all remote events, transactions and resources to be viewed and managed in real time. Highly scalable, Fleetwood's solutions are ideal for companies investing in mobile technology for the first time as well as companies that are seeking to maximise their return on existing investments. Fleetwood Electronics Limited is a privately owned UK company, based in Cambridge. For any further information please see www.fleetwoodmobile.com
About Zebra Technologies Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra®-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, \"smart\" label and receipt printers, and plastic card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold more than six million printers, including RFID and wireless mobile solutions, as well as ZebraDesignerT software, ZebraLinkT connectivity solutions, Genuine Zebra printing supplies and ZebraCareT services. Information about Zebra specialty printing solutions is at http://www.zebra.com
About Courtney Coaches Courtney Coaches is a family run bus and coach operator that has been providing quality transportation since 1973. The company supplies transport for many blue chip companies as well as nurseries, schools, colleges however the majority of its work is contract based. More information is available from http://www.courtneycoaches.com/
2025
