QC: Pacific Western Transportation Benefits from Hastus/AVL Integration
Providing safe and timely bus service to workers in the Fort McMurray area is a top priority for Pacific Western Transportation (PWT).
With the integration of Giro’s Hastus software and Strategic Mapping's Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system, PWT benefits from improved visibility into its vehicle operations and can provide even more reliable service to workers in northern Alberta.
Giro and Strategic Mapping worked together to ensure the seamless real-time and bi-directional exchange of data used in PWT’s bus operations. HASTUS receives actual bus arrival and departure times at each stop from the AVL; this information allows dispatchers to adjust planned operator assignments as needed, in the context of important delays. Hastus, in turn, sends operator and service assignment updates to the AVL. The accurate data exchanges enable PWT to confirm that it is fulfilling contracted service levels and validate overtime claims caused by road delays.
“We are pleased to be using Hastus for our scheduling and dispatching requirements,” says Thomas Schmidt, vice president - IT, Pacific Western Transportation. “As our operational information source of truth, Hastus positions us with data to drive our business and financial functions. The scheduling and planning group have matured as a group around their processes driving quicker information for operators. As well, our billing and payroll cycles have been reduced significantly resulting in lower labor costs better customer service levels and improved morale.”
Grio’s Director of Public Transit Software, Robert Victor adds, “We have integrated Hastus with many different third-party systems over the last years. The successful work done with Strategic Mapping confirms once again Hastus’ versatility and we are happy that Pacific Western Transportation can benefit.”
In upcoming months, PWT and Giro will have the opportunity to work together again as PWT plans bus service for thousands of athletes taking part in the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games in Toronto.
