UrbanThings has partnered with South Yorkshire’s TravelMaster, a company owned by the regions operators, to launch a new initiative which is designed to help passengers buy and collect their tickets more quickly via the comfort and convenience of their smartphone. In response to feedback, TravelMaster was seeking to improve its process for digital ticket retail, where purchasing and ticket collection could often involve a number of separate steps. TravelMaster opted to partner with UrbanThings to streamline this process, increasing passenger trust, improve their purchasing experience, and ultimately pushing the wider adoption of public transport.
UrbanThings will use its mobile applications expertise to deliver a smart ticketing solution that will enable passengers to order and register smartcards, purchase tickets and load them onto their TravelMaster smartcards. The solution will be based upon its existing transport software platform UrbanHub that has been deployed to customers across the UK and Europe. By working with TravelMaster, UrbanThings says it will also acquire greater knowledge of consumer trends and preferences, making it easier to optimise its products and services.
“We approached UrbanThings to improve the customer experience. I worked with the team on another project around standardisation of transport assets, and UrbanThings is always delivering innovative solutions. What impressed me was the technical skills. We also share a lot of common interests in the way we want to progress,” said John Henshall, General Manager at TravelMaster.
Because transport operators, suppliers and passengers need to work together to make services efficient and sustainable for everyone, TravelMaster says it is hoping that a dedicated passenger app will lay a solid foundation for future smart ticketing initiatives. With around 26,000 passengers a month, offering a smooth customer experience and easy access to support and information is key, the company said.
“One of the best things about UrbanHub is its flexibility and integration capabilities. Mobile ticketing and payment options allow passengers to plan and pay for their journey. UrbanHub plays a significant role in fostering improved mobility for future generations,” said Ashish Pande, Product Manager at UrbanThings.
