RATP Dev USA looks to launch riders in Orbyt

Orbyt provides a full 24-hour view of the customer journey. For passengers and operators, Orbyt focuses on three segments of time: before, during and after the ride.

RATP Dev USA has launched Orbyt, described as “an innovative technology platform that keeps passengers in motion, adapting to the different demands and disruption of the transit industry.”

Orbyt combines technology and resources into what the company describes as “an intersected transit eco-system. These intersections create opportunities to seamlessly move passengers from one mode of transit to the next, so any passenger can reach any destination, at any time.”

Orbyt provides a full 24-hour view of the customer journey. For passengers and operators, Orbyt focuses on three segments of time: before, during and after the ride. “By segmenting the passenger journey, Orbyt has developed technological capabilities that optimizes fleet management and operations, and provides passengers with the ultimate customer experience,” RATP Dev USA says.

The segment before the journey focuses on route management that utilizes real-time data analytics to virtually alter routes and make informed decisions. “By delivering accurate, real-time information to passengers, it is easier to maintain and manage consistent wait times,” the company explains.

During the ride, Orbyt’s emphasis is on customer experience, where passengers are “provided with the appropriate amenities while in transit. With smart device enablement, passengers are equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while onboard so they can check email, social media, news, alerts and more, ultimately enhancing the commute and traveling experience. In addition, with unified fare collection, passengers can have access to a pass/ticket and an easy way to pay—credit, debit or commuter benefits. Passengers can also plan and pay for their next trip while on their current ride with concepts such as Demand Response Transit, where passengers can book their ride, select the mode of transit and pay the fare, all from one mobile application.

Following the journey, Orbyt concentrates on data analysis, where each rider and route’s data is reviewed in order to guide future decision-making. “Orbyt also emphasizes customer support from issues submitted by passengers, which provides a forum for feedback and operational improvement, thus increasing customer satisfaction and therefore ridership. With Orbyt, transportation providers can also recreate events to inform sound planning and decision making to advance continuous improvement by accessing historical ‘black box’ data from vehicles.”

In addition, RATP Dev’s Safety Management System (SMS), drive2zero™, “drives a sound safety culture across RATP Dev and all RATP Dev transit agencies in the U.S., throughout the entire passenger and operator journey. drive2zero™ includes policies to adopt and enforce across each department at an organization. This comprehensive solution enables transportation providers to manage safety and security to the lowest possible level of risk and ensures passengers experience a safe, comfortable trip.”

“Innovation can be defined as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, and unarticulated needs—a new method or idea,” said RATP Dev USA Vice President of Innovation and Product Delivery Sandy Freeman. “As the demand for integrated mobility increases, so does the public’s expectation of transportation providers, who need to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of technology, tools and innovative concepts that impact different modes of transit, providing choices for mobility. As Orbyt expands and adapts to the industry needs, it is clear that innovation is, and must be, at the foundation of our core services and pillars of success in public transit. With a connected transportation platform, Orbyt brings together all the puzzle pieces, delivering value to customers.”

Founded in 2002, RATP Dev operates and maintains urban transportation systems in 14 countries on four continents (United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India, China, South Korea, the Philippines, and the U.S.). “With more than 1.5 billion passengers travelling on its networks every year, RATP Dev demonstrates every day its extensive and renowned expertise in a wide range of mobility services, ranging from rail, regional express rail and tramway, to bus, cable car and sightseeing activities,” the company says. “RATP Dev leverages in France, outside of Paris and across international markets the technical expertise and experience of RATP Group, the leader in driverless and tramway operations and operator of the Paris network, one of the largest public transportation networks in the world. In North America, RATP Dev employs more than 3,800 team members transporting more than 78 million passengers in 18 states and operates a wide range of services.”