This app aims to improve shuttle experience for onsite workers
One of the biggest concerns for employees working in the office during the coronavirus pandemic is transportation.
The typical work commute has become more difficult, and many companies have resorted to providing shuttle services to their employees.
While mass transit systems are not back in full operation and many public utility vehicles are still not allowed, shuttle services for company workers amid the community quarantine is the new normal.
This is where technology comes into place in the form of a group-specific transportation pooling service available through a mobile app from vehicle-routing company SWAT Mobility.
SWAT Mobility provides solutions to alleviate employee work commute woes. It operates through two options, Commute Pass and Just In Time.
Commute Pass is for companies with staff that have stable shifts and predictable work schedules. It offers a riding service where bookings are confirmed for the whole month with the same pick-up and drop-off location.
For companies whose employees have rotating schedules, the Just in Time is available.
SWAT mobility
Chief Revenue Officer of SWAT Mobility Nicholas Stipp said in a virtual press conference, "What we found out is a lot of companies spend a lot of time on the phone, calling the driver and the passenger, trying to link them up.
"Here's what we can do--we save a lot of time and money. We calculate the routes, we can get the requests from the passengers from the mobile apps, we can do contract tracing and we can see where the vehicles are all the time.
"It's easy to use the apps, they get reserved seats," he added.
Furthermore, SWAT's technology allows companies to input their employee transportation processes.
The company app SWATRide combines requests through a smartphone-based app or employer bulk upload. It also groups passengers and calculates the most efficient routes. It assigns vehicles and sends the routes to the drivers' apps and shows full passenger manifests for contract tracing, including boarding and alighting time stamps.
It also allows passengers to track vehicles in real-time for security and convenience purposes.
SWAT Mobility has also helped provide easy transportation for Philippine General Hospital health workers through the Department of Transportation's free transport program.
Using SWAT's Just In Time booking app, PGH workers can book in advance a ride to pick them up from a close-to-home location and transport them to the hospital. As a way of fully utilizing the vans or buses provided to the PGH workers, the app organizes all bookings and generates routes that are most convenient for the medical frontliners.
SWAT has also announced plans of partnering with organizations to give a more convenient commute experience to Filipino workers.
Even though Metro Manila is still struggling with traffic congestion and setbacks, technology is paving the way for a more organized transportation system for all through various mobile apps.
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