365 Response signs three year deal to provide digital transport system to National Express Accessible Transport

Yorkshire based digital transport systems provider, 365 Response has signed a three year deal with leading transport operator, National Express Accessible Transport (NEAT).

365 Response’s innovative Smart Platform is seen as a key part of NEAT’s transformation plan to drive improvements in the operation of home-to-school transport across the West Midlands and Warwickshire.

The project will begin in October and will use advanced algorithms to plan, monitor and streamline routes to and from schools across Birmingham, Warwickshire and Wolverhampton.

Commenting on the partnership, Brendan Fatchett, Chief Commercial Officer, 365 Response said “we’re thrilled to have signed this multi-year contract with National Express Accessible Transport. Our Smart Platform will be used to digitally manage transport requirements, maximising resources and ensuring the fastest, most fuel-efficient route is taken for all journeys. Our digital dispatch software will allow National Express to plan and amend their routes, and integrated mapping will give them a live view of their full fleet, delivering complete visibility and control.”

The cloud-based software will digitise current paper processes, offering new levels of flexibility, efficiencies and visibility for staff, schools, parents/guardians and drivers. This sophisticated solution will be responsible for the journeys of over 1500 children, travelling on 320 minibuses, to and from 17 schools across the West Midlands.

Vinay Parmar, Managing Director of National Express Accessible Transport, commented “It is our ambition to transform home-to-school transport and raise the bar by delivering the most reliable, efficient and inclusive travel experience for children and young people. It is time they got the service they really deserve and not the one they have settled for.

“We’re really excited to be working with 365 Response on the roll out of their Smart Platform on our services. It is a key part of our strategy to digitise operations and bring innovation to our processes, helping to create efficiencies which enable us to deliver more value for money to local authorities as well as increased visibility and reassurance around safety and safeguarding.”

365 Response

A cloud based software solutions provider for transport services, based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. 365 Response software is responsible for the planning and management of thousands of passenger journeys annually, including patient transport services for the NHS, Special Education Needs transport for Local Authorities and private passenger transport services, including coach and travel companies.

Contact for further details: Laura Dean, Marketing Manager | laura.dean@365response.org

Further editors notes: National Express Accessible Transport operates TfWM’s Ring and Ride door-to-door transport service for more than 20,800 registered users across the West Midlands. The service is available for anybody who is unable to use conventional public transport due to mobility issues or social isolation. Those wishing to use the Ring and Ride service can register at www.ringandride.org.

NEAT also operates home-to-school contracts, providing specialist transport provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities on behalf of several local authorities.