Smooth transfers are essential to people's daily lives, especially in rural areas. If you miss your connection there, you'll likely have to wait more than 30 minutes. A waste of time, of course, but also a source of stress and frustration. Furthermore, in most cases, the driver could have waited an extra 1 or 2 minutes. Thanks to geolocation and iBeacon technology, in just a fraction of a second, we can know what time bus "X" will arrive at a transfer stop and how long bus "Y" will have to wait for passengers to arrive. If it's less than 4 minutes, the driver can receive transfer requests and wait. If it's more than 4 minutes, passengers requesting a transfer will see that it's not possible and, at least, will be able to avoid the rush.
Business Need: Smooth transfers are essential to people's daily lives, especially in rural areas. If you miss your connection there, you'll likely have to wait more than 30 minutes. A waste of time, of course, but also a source of stress and frustration. Furthermore, in most cases, the driver could have waited an extra 1 or 2 minutes. Thanks to geolocation and iBeacon technology, in just a fraction of a second, we can know what time bus "X" will arrive at a transfer stop and how long bus "Y" will have to wait for passengers to arrive. If it's less than 4 minutes, the driver can receive transfer requests and wait. If it's more than 4 minutes, passengers requesting a transfer will see that it's not possible and, at least, will be able to avoid the rush.
Solution: To solve this historic public transport challenge, we traveled across the country. We experienced the problem firsthand and closely observed passenger and driver behavior. We also tested the effectiveness and accuracy of the iBeacons to assess all variables. We started with a pilot test in the IJsselmond region of the Netherlands. There, we installed the first iBeacons on buses to track their routes in real time. We then linked this data to the exact location of Stappover users using Bluetooth and GPS. And to communicate with drivers, we integrated a messaging system into the hardware of each bus. Step by step, we collected all the user feedback and refined the features. In six weeks, the app was ready. Yes, six weeks to create Stappover, an app that is now being rolled out to all locations where Connexxion buses operate.
Results: Did you miss your bus at the last minute? That misfortune is now a thing of the past. With one app for all Connexxion lines, you'll never miss your bus again. Simply request a transfer during your bus ride, and the driver will wait until you get to their bus.