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Digitalising public transport: customers benefit – efficiency improves
Digitalisation has already fundamentally changed public transport and will continue to do so, while constantly opening up new possibilities for customers and transport companies. Real-time information, digital ticketing and intelligent traffic control systems are only a few examples of technologies already widely in use.
The following three examples show how innovative technologies can improve mobility and efficiency and benefit customers.
Voicebot – a digital voice assistant for phone bookings
“A bus from Muttenshofen to Neumarkt departing at 1 p.m. please“. In Neumarkt i.d. Oberpfalz in Bavaria a voicebot helps users book a dial-a-ride bus. It improves customer service and takes the strain off workers taking customer calls.
The digital voice assistant is AI-driven and programmed to hold a normal conversation with customers. A friendly voice requests the route, departure time and number of passengers. The voicebot can book trips from A to B in the system on its own. Dial-a-ride service employees are nevertheless on hand, and callers can ask the voicebot to put them through at any time.
DB Regio Bus Bayern and DB Systel are the joint organisers of this innovative service.
A voicebot helps with booking a dial-a-ride bus. (image: Deutsche Bahn)
ioki Route – navigation software for public transport buses and rail replacement services
ioki Route navigation software helps to meet specific bus company demands. This digital solution combines a navigation app for the driver and an app in the call centre. The bus routes are uploaded and updated in a route management system and appear on the driver’s android smartphone in real time. No complex installation of special hardware is required. ioki Route provides orientation for drivers on their route and helps to prevent accidents on unsuitable roads.
Bus routes are efficiently managed and rail replacement services can be flexibly adapted at short notice – individually and based on needs.
ioki Route navigation software helps to meet specific bus company demands. (image: Deutsche Bahn)
Snapbus – book a bus anywhere in Germany with only a few clicks
With the innovative Snapbus platform, customers can book the right bus for their trip with only a few clicks. Operated by DB Regio Bus Ost, the platform is an interface for customers and bus operators who are partners in a Germany-wide network.
The entire process is automated, starting with a customer inquiry, the calculation of a price, an offer including immediate and transparent prices, through to booking and payment.
Sustainability is part of the deal: CO2 emissions are offset.
Snapbus customers can book a bus for their trip with only a few clicks. (image: Deutsche Bahn)
Summary
The solutions above show how digitalisation is helping to improve mobility. By offering practical assistance to meet challenges, these technologies help to improve efficiency in public transport and benefit customers. In each case they are helping to drive the mobility transformation.
Additional information
Voicebot
• Contact: Martina Mantel, Director, Customer Marketing, DB Regio Bus Bayern, martina.mantel@deutschebahn.com
ioki Route
• Product website: https://ioki.com/route/
• Contact: Christoph Tellkamp, Sales & Business Development Manager, christoph.tellkamp@ioki.com
Snapbus
• Product website: https://www.snapbus.de/
• Contact: Sina Niemann, Director, DB BusCharter, sina.niemann@deutschebahn.com