Blue Bird group to use GPS next year<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Blue Bird group, a leading taxi and bus
\ncompany, plans to start using the satellite-based global
\npositioning system (GPS) beginning early next year to provide
\nbetter and more efficient service to its customers, an executive
\nsaid on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Deputy director for operational affairs, Ateng Aryono, said
\nthe company would spend \"billions of rupiahs\" for the use of the
\nGPS-based in-car positioning system, which would be installed in
\nstages.<\/p>\n
The first batch to have the system would be 640 cars from the
\nSilver Bird executive taxis, Ateng told journalists.<\/p>\n
\"With this system, we can identify the whereabouts of our
\ntaxis and meet our customers' calls faster. We will try the
\nsystem in the first quarter next year,\" he explained but gave no
\nother details of the system requirements.<\/p>\n
If everything goes well, the company would be the first land
\ntransportation company in the country using such a GPS-based
\nfleet tracking system.<\/p>\n
In Singapore, several of the city's taxi companies have
\nimplemented GPS-based integrated voice response systems, or IVRs,
\nwhich allows customers to request a cab using a telephone keypad.
\nUnder the IVR technology, a computerized dispatch uses GPS to
\nlocate the nearest cab and then sends it to the waiting customer.
\nWith the system, Comfort Cabs can now handle 6,000 calls a day,
\nup from 3,000.<\/p>\n
One of the chronic problems faced by taxi users in Jakarta is
\nthe often long delay after calling the company. It takes even
\nlonger on rainy days due higher demand and macet (traffic jam).<\/p>\n
Ateng admitted that the GPS project would require quite a
\nlarge investment.<\/p>\n
\"But it's worth it to improve our services to our customers,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The Blue Bird group, which also operates hundreds of taxis
\nunder other names, has been in the media spotlight following the
\nrecent 45 percent hike in taxi fares in the city, as many claimed
\nthe increase would only increase profits for the company and
\nwould not do much for drivers or users.<\/p>\n
In the Wednesday meeting, journalists were given a tour of the
\noffice and allowed to interview a driver, selected by the firm,
\nto explain about his welfare.<\/p>\n
The company's senior manager of business development, Noni
\nPurnomo, said: \"We're a profit oriented company and need the fare
\nincrease to replace our aging cars and expand our business.
\nHowever, as you have heard we also look after the welfare of our
\ndrivers.\"<\/p>\n
The driver, named Rinudiyanto, said he had been working for
\nthe company for 14 years and is the chairman of the Blue Bird
\ngroup drivers union. To the reporters, he claimed that the
\ncompany was good in taking care of the drivers' welfare.<\/p>\n
\"Management promised that the 25 percent increase in daily
\nrental fee, over the current Rp 214,000 fee, would only be
\napplied three months after the general fare increase,\" Ateng
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Noni said the company has some 10,000 drivers and 6,000 taxis
\nin the capital. The company has expanded the business to Surabaya
\nin East Java, Bali and Lombok.<\/p>\n
\"We also have a plan to expand the business to Sumatra,\" Noni
\nsaid.(dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/blue-bird-group-to-use-gps-next-year-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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