App Discussion 2.0: Teddy's Transportation
Spurred by the interest in the first article on Limo Apps (Read HERE), I decided to get real-world advice from industry authority, Charles Wisniewski, CEO of Teddy's Transportation, who launched their own App in 2012.
The following is the edited email transcript between myself and Charles Wisniewski, October 2, 2015.
Me: Charles, you launched your App in 2012. Have you seen any advantages to having it, are people using it, and what has been your experience with it?
Charles: About 20 trips a month pop in from the App. They are almost all from existing clientele choosing this method of communication. However, this is a minute portion of our trips. But, given all the ‘App’ buzz lately, having the App available is likely a highlight in many new-user’s choice of service.
Me: Have there been any pitfalls or struggles with the App integration into your business?
Charles: We need a Herculean team effort to ‘not miss’ reservation requests sent by e-mail (or App) twenty-four hours a day, but we usually elect to keep current on communications modes. We adopted, early, the enhanced TranspoNet affiliate communications packages as they came out and first choose affiliates with platforms that interface with ours. Moving forward, we are first in line for the Deem/NLA/BCD next-gen traveler Cloud App, and we even recently talked about ways to allow clients to text our operations team.
There is a real cost to everyone. [Also] we are dreadfully afraid that the more methods of communication we use, the more chances there are to lose information. But we can’t afford to shy away from travelers’ preferences.
Me: Obviously, companies such as UBER and Lyft have been taking bites out of operator business for a few years now. Did you create your App as a way to combat them?
Charles: I think our getting and using an App is to mitigate the competition from the TNCs. Our App lets us say “yeah, we got that. But ours comes with credentialed and vetted chauffeurs, and a fleet professionally managed for safety!”
Me: If Apps are a way to neutralize the competition, then what would you like to see happen with other operators around the country?
Charles: My sincere hope is that every taxi and livery operator buys an app and lists it in all their marketing campaigns. It would go a long way to dilute competition from UBER. After all we all have critical mass in our own markets whereas UBER's ad spend has to cover a thousand other markets – all from an office tucked away in San Francisco.
A sincere "Thank You" to Charles Wisniewski and Teddy's Transportation for his valued and trusted information. You will be able to hear more about Deem's cloud-based App at the CD show in South Beach, October 11-14.
And, if you are looking for my information on Shopbuses.com and what we do, well, here you go. See HERE.