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Fast & Furious Paperless Boarding Final Launch

For 100 years, Jefferson Lines has been a leading pioneer in the motor coach industry, enabling us to be passengers’ preferred independent bus company. Through our innovative spirit, Jefferson Lines has been on the forefront of introducing paperless boarding to the bus transportation industry. Over the past two years, we have committed significant resources to launching this new technology. We are confident in assuming an industry leading position as we plan (by the end of the year) to be the largest regional interline carrier to roll out Paperless Boarding.

TDS cell Phone image

Innovative Technology

This new technology will revolutionize how we do business internally, but the biggest benefit will allow us to improve our passengers’ experience by eliminating the need of printed tickets during boarding. We have been very successful in our pilots in the Minneapolis to Duluth and Minneapolis to Milwaukee corridors. We are ready for the next step – rolling out to all corridors in the next two months with a complete the roll out by the end of 2019.

Paperless boarding training has been released via email to all 100+ drivers. Once each driver reaches 95% success rate, they will graduate to paperless boarding expert and will no longer collect paper tickets.

Thank you for your efforts in helping both Jefferson Lines and the Industry to be successful and embrace this new ticket scanning technology. Stay tuned for Paperless Boarding updates via email and upcoming newsletters.

six steps to successful boarding

Fast & Furious Paperless Boarding Final Launch – Progression

step 1 done

STEP 1

Paperless Boarding Review
(2017)

step 2 done

STEP 2

Software/Hardware Certification
(2018)

step 3 done

STEP 3

Test Corridor: WI Test Area Complete
(2018)

Done

STEP 4

Driver Training Complete
(2019)

step 5

STEP 5

Driver Scanning Live
(2019)

step 6

STEP 6

Scanning Fully Launched
(2019)

What is Paperless Boarding?

It is a handheld device that allows drivers (or agents) to scan passengers onto Jefferson Lines schedules. Sort of like an “electronic envelope” it keeps track of the passengers boarding activity throughout the schedule.

Why is Jefferson Line pursing paperless boarding?
  • Better Customer Experience – Paperless boarding is a #1 customer request for improvement.
  • Market Leadership –  We desire to be one of the first Interline providers to provide this capability to bus travelers.
  • Influence –As an early adopter, we have the unique opportunity to determine how the technology will work for customers and employees.
What are some of the top features?
  • Bus Side Scanning – Passengers presenting paper tickets can be scanned onto the bus with the simple click of a button
  • Mobile Phone Boarding – Passengers boarding with a mobile phone can also be scanned onto the bus, directly from the image on their phone.
  • More Sales – Once fully implemented, the system will monitor when passengers board the bus.  If they do not board at their designated location, the system will automatically release seats, allows downstream agents/customers to purchase them during peak travel periods.
  • Real-time Manifest – Throughout the trip, drivers will be able to view a real-time manifest of the passengers that are boarding and departing at the stop.
  • Electronic Run Card – Similar to the paper run card, drivers will have real-time visibility to the number of passengers that are on the bus at any point in time.
What is next?

This new technology will revolutionize our ability to service customers more effectively, improve sales, and reduce administration for nearly every part of the organization.  In the upcoming month we will be rolling out more information about this technology and how it impacts you directly

Click Below for Resources:

 

Paperless Boarding Feedback

Quick Reference Guide