Ticketer leads the way in Passenger Counting on buses

9 June 2020

Industry leader Ticketer has successfully launched its new, pioneering, Passenger Counting feature in record time to help drivers accurately record passengers both on and off the bus. In just under 2 weeks, Ticketer developed, tested and implemented this simple, but effective capacity measurement enhancement, that allows drivers keep a total count of passengers, measured against capacity thresholds defined per vehicle.

Ticketer is transforming the way that Bus and Coach Operators can start to ramp up services whilst protecting both drivers and passengers. In true Ticketer style, they have kept it simple; making it quick to implement, and without the need for expensive infrastructure or additional installations. The counting is done on the Electronic Ticket Machine (ETM) and removes any pressure on the driver to decide if it is safe for passengers to board.

Operators can easily set passenger capacity on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis via the Ticketer Portal and the live capacity data can be made available to Operator apps to make sure that passengers also have access to the information.

Following a successful development in partnership with First Bus, rapid rollout has commenced across other Operators who have been excited to turn on Passenger Counting.

Alex Hornby, Chief Executive Officer, Transdev Blazefield, comments:

 “All of us at Transdev congratulate Ticketer for working at pace during this critical time for our customers’ and colleagues’ safety. The ability to record customers on board is something that our drivers have found incredibly helpful and reassuring, and we embrace how this information can then be opened up for uses to view available seats via our Transdev Go app and website. This is all something we have wanted for a while, as a company so obsessed by looking after its customers, but now a positive legacy of lockdown and extremely helpful as we rebuild our bus networks for the better.”

The Go-Ahead Group have also been impressed with the rollout as Graham Pether, Project Manager Go-Ahead Group PLC mentions:

 “Within hours of launching the new Ticketer Passenger Counting feature, we have received lots of great feedback from our drivers that it’s working really well, giving them confidence that they can manage their bus and service safely, and easily. Go-Ahead are very grateful for all the hard work and long hours that our colleagues at Ticketer have put in, to get this across the line – it’s a ‘Big Thumbs Up’ from all our drivers”

And it’s not just the UK’s largest Operators who are finding this a life-saving feature.

Gary Newby, Partner at Reliance Motor Services, explains:

“The team at Ticketer have pulled it out of the bag with the speed, accuracy and deployment of the passenger counting feature. Our drivers can now accurately monitor the levels of passengers on their vehicle at a glance and this in turn improves our ability to deliver safe and reliable services for our customers. Our drivers have embraced the feature and after a short trial period, we are now using it across our network.”

John Clarfelt, CEO, Ticketer is proud of what the Ticketer Team have been able to deliver at speed and tells us:

“Hearing directly from drivers that our Passenger Counting feature is making a real difference to them is why we do this. For us, it was of paramount importance to give drivers themselves visibility of remaining capacity onboard with the ability to record passenger numbers in the most accurate, and simple way possible, to ensure everyone’s safety. Innovation is at the heart of everything we do here at Ticketer, and we will remain committed to finding new ways to support Operators through these challenging times.”