New Scheduling System to Improve the Ring and Ride Service

wmsnt is radically reforming its booking system to provide a better and more flexible service for its passengers. wmsnt is introducing a new computerised system to its Ring and Ride service, allowing more passengers with limited mobility to travel and allow last minute changes to bookings.The software for the system has been developed by wmsnt and could be sold onto other companies if successful.

In addition, wmsnt is developing an in-cab navigation and information system for it's Ring and Ride vehicles.This improvement will be paid for with a £400,000 capital grant from Centro, the region's transport authority, which is funding wmsnt with a £35m funding package over three years.

The £35m grant, allocated in 2009, is helping fund other improvments along with financial support from wmsnt. These include extending operating hours until after 10pm, new services to take young people to college once their allocated funding is cut when they turn 19, and transport to work services.

A pilot project is also being launched in Coventry this summer in partnership with National Express Coventry. It will allow service users to transfer from the community service to a mainstream service of low-floor buses.

Peter Maggs, Chief Executive of wmsnt, said he was delighted Centro was helping to fund improvemnts. 'All of these changes mean a better service for our passengers. The new computerised system and the in-cab system will link the depots with drivers, giving passengers more flexibility and reducing the stress of our schedulers. There is also the potential for us to sell the software and make money from the royalties', he said. 'Working with Centro provides wmsnt with the financial security to make long term plans'.

wmsnt has been partially funded by Centro since 1985.

Picture above: From left: Peter Maggs, Chief Executive, wmsnt; Stewart Stacey, Chair of wmsnt; Gary Clarke, Chair of Centro; Jon Hunt, Lead Member for Bus and Highways at Centro.