Buses have been with us for over two centuries. Even with the advances of the 21st century, the pragmatic need to get from one place to another as a group is not likely to go anywhere.
But the industry does not settle on just that. Problems evolve with our environment and our societies, and human ingenuity keeps responding to them with solutions we had never imagined in the past.
The combination of new business models and technological advancements can have a positive impact on many side effects of the travel industry, such as carbon footprints, safety, costs, comfort, flexibility, and universal accessibility. Buses can now guide themselves to parking, connect to satellites, or kneel to onboard a baby carriage. But what else is there that technology can accomplish?
Ways Technology Can Solve 7 Different Complex Travel Problems
Problem 1: the complexity of organizing and managing transportation grows significantly with the number of participants.
Solution: you are not likely to encounter this problem unless you work for the event industry. Or want your kids to go to a summer camp. Or to arrange a family meetup. Or to go to a conference with a few colleagues. On second thought, maybe it is a pretty common concern!
The complexity itself remains, but the modern technology of Bus.com simplifies the most daunting parts. Schedules and routes are easier to optimize when they are presented in a single dashboard. And many parts of planning — licenses, insurance, driver vetting, project tracking — are outsourced. It means that only critical decisions have to be made by the client, and they are as simple as choosing which time to leave and which destination to travel to.
Problem 2: chaperoning and supporting participants can be complicated and demands constant attention.
Solution: any trip with minors usually demands one chaperone per three to five kids. But what about trips with adults, such as guided group tours? Adults require more autonomy and freedom, but the unpredictable nature of travel still requires a sync up. Here’s where mobile communication and tracking technology come handy. With apps like TripSpark or Groupstr, not only can participants track the vehicle’s location, but the guides can use location services to assist the participants.
Problem 3: while there might be several local bus shops at any destination, and it is not easy to find, evaluate, and rent from them remotely.
Solution: Here’s where Bus.com comes into play again. Bus.com makes it easier than ever to book a bus or van online without directly negotiating with each local supplier. You only have to deal with a single point of contact — Bus.com.
Problem 4: travel spending can get out of hand and over-budget fast.
Solution: by this point, most of our wallets are digital, so it makes sense that there are many tools to track and control spending. Many banking apps now offer immediate spending notifications. If you want to save while you spend, apps like Acorns (in the US) and Moko (in Canada) round your purchases to the nearest dollar and invest the spare change in a savings account for you. The amount of self-discipline that you have when it comes to shopping, however, is still up to you!
Problem 5: the environment is evolving so fast that printed guide books cannot track all the new attractions.
Solution: the internet is capable of dynamically responding to changes so having access while you travel has become a necessity. New restaurant? Chances are, it was reviewed on social media. Hiking trails revised due to recent flooding? There is probably an update on the website. A mobile hotspot or phone with satellite access can be costly for an individual, but modern charter buses are more likely to have more powerful WiFi hubs on board.
Problem 6: traveling as a group is significantly cheaper (and more fun), but it is difficult to gather a group large enough on your own.
Solution: travel withs strangers! Even if you are a very social person and have a vast circle of friends, most adults cannot take vacations simultaneously. Social media with verified profiles and reliable group tour agencies help connect people who aim at the same destination or experience. Some apps like Backpackr or Meetup can help connect you with travelers in your area so you never have to visit the local pub alone if you don’t want to (though if you want to, all the more power to you).
Problem 7: vehicles have historically not been designed for people with special needs or mobility equipment, which excludes them from many fun travel experiences.
Solution: the answer to universal inclusion comes from the change in the mindset of our societies. But technology can help to solve the physical accessibility challenge. Low-floor design, “kneeling” mechanism, lifts, and extendable ramps help to onboard wheelchairs. Bus.com can assist in finding and renting a vehicle with specialized equipment, arrange for extra space for a service animal, or help to plan frequent stops.
Bus.com was created to respond to modern challenges with smart and efficient innovations. We help our clients to travel together, safely, economically, and responsibly. We want you to focus on the purpose, spend your time meaningfully, and pay less mind to paperwork or headcount — because at the end of the day, travel is all about the experiences that you make.
