James and Katherine discuss Software as a Service (SaaS) software in a world where public transport agencies face increasing pressure to modernise their services, improve operational efficiency, and provide better customer experiences. 

Many agencies are turning to software to manage complex logistics, scheduling, ticketing, and real-time information delivery to achieve this. One of the most popular software models is SaaS, which provides cloud-based solutions that can be accessed via the internet. However, SaaS is not the only option on the table—custom-built or bespoke software solutions also offer an alternative. In this post, we’ll dive into the benefits of SaaS software for public transport agencies and compare it to building custom software solutions.

To answer that question - and get our brains ticking over with many more - we welcomed Giuseppe Sollazzo, Head of Data at the DfT, to sit down with Matt and Tom for the final episode of Making Passenger series 1. 

Giuseppe broke down NaPTAN, NAP and threw a few more anacronyms at us for good measure! We talked about why data is gathered and why it's so important to the public transport sector.  We looked at cases where data had been gathered before there was even a user need for it and considered how we link data structures to user need.

Giuseppe's passion for data and open data is possibly unparalleled, so he was the perfect person to join us in pondering how we can use data to enable engagement and innovation across the public transport sector and beyond. 

This week, Matt and Tom speak to Dr. Ian Walker. Ian teaches Statistics and Traffic Psychology at the University of Bath and has undertaken research on road safety, travel habits and the impact of environmental messaging.

As councils up and down the UK start to implement changes to road and cycleways; Matt, Tom and Ian talked about conflicts engineered by the way we build our streets, how to get transport modes to function amicably together and the impact of private cars on our roads.

Thought experiments abounded as they learned more about how people psychologically adapt and react to change, and what it could take to encourage the UK to put down their car keys for good. 

Passenger's Engineering Director Dave Hulbert and Engineering Lead Andy Leon join Matt and Tom to explain how they have been able to deliver accurate, robust and reliable updates to help essential travellers to plan their travel around social distancing recommendations. 

Bringing streams of crowdsourced information alongside automatic passenger counting from a number of different suppliers of hardware on the buses, creates a qualitative picture of the live occupancy of the vehicle. Whilst this is hugely important during the pandemic, Passenger believe the technology also has longer reaching benefits. Built at pace from their Enhanced Vehicle Information module, Passenger are rolling this out now to help inform users of the cleanliness of vehicles plus space and seating availability. 

Matt and Tom spoke to Alex Hornby, Chief Executive Officer at Transdev Blazefield. They wanted to find out how the practicalities of social distancing measures will affect bus operators, drivers and passengers and the UK begins to slowly start relaxing its lockdown.

Transdev operate buses right across the North of England, and have always had people at the heart of their agenda. Matt and Tom wanted to find out how crowdedness and cleanliness monitoring would help give Transdev's passengers the confidence needed to return to using public transport post COVID - 19.

From the 15-minute neighbourhood to how tiny changes can create big ripples. Matt and Tom were lucky enough to speak to Bournemouth, Christchurch a& Poole Councillor Dr. Felicity Rice, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change. 

Felicity talked to us about BCP's ongoing plans for the Transforming Cities Funds, how we can start to live differently and how she was empowered to become a councillor and begin working to effect change.

Passenger and its staff are based in Bournemouth, so this fantastic insight into how the council is working towards making sustainable, active travel part of our future was hugely appreciated. 

Passenger's Matt and Tom talk to Phil Ellis, co-founder of bike-share company Beryl.

From the smallest of bays to the biggest of sustainable shared electric micro-mobility system plans, they all agree that bike-share schemes are exactly what the UK need to break their car habits. Beryl, who work closely with local authorities, are hopeful that change is on the horizon and are on the cusp of launching #BetterByBike - with the objective of lowering the barrier to cycling and encouraging the wider public to go by bike where possible.

Beryl's NHS initiative continues through to the end of June - details here

James Carney, Finance & Commercial Director of Blackpool Transport joins Tom and Matt to talk about how Blackpool is continuing to make buses the first choice for its residents and visitors by being there with the 'wow'. 

Habit change, the power of the penny and insight into Blackpool Transport's future plans for becoming a centre of excellence for electric vehicles are discussed - and some 'third glass of chablis conversations' are fondly reminisced on!

Tom and Matt are joined by Passenger Transport magazine Managing Editor and Publisher Robert Jack. In just half an hour, we covered usership vs ownership, climate concerns and data as a key to problem-solving plus...

... Robert explains why bus operators need to consider becoming 21st-century retailers and how they can help shift public perception after COVID. Tom reveals his MaaS vision and everyone agrees that mobile phones might just be the key to mobility.

Cycling plays an important part in how we travel around our towns and cities. This week, Matt and Tom talk to Jason Falconer, chair of the BH Active Travel Forum, about cycling in the south and how it's been affected by the current health crisis.

As Jason says "The bicycle is possibly the best invention ever". Looking to the future, we discuss how transport infrastructure can support cycling for everyone and every journey.