9 of 27

Passenger Transport Operator

Passenger Transport Operators operate intercity coaches between European towns and cities. Using the example of Eurolines, there are a number of different roles in the operation of a coach network. Check-in staff sell tickets and check passenger registration and identification. Call centre staff take queries and issue tickets and refunds. Control centre staff set up coaches for departure and arrival, edits the list of passengers, and distributes information to other services and clients, including any problems encountered enroute. Operations centre staff monitors ticket sales and adjusts the available capacity for ticket sales and intervenes when problems arise enroute to find solutions. There are also management, drivers, and passengers that have roles within the network that need to be catered for.

The operators want to get better information to help the management of their coach network. This includes better information on where coaches are, who is on the coach, provide navigation aids to drivers, and provide emergency call through a secure network. There are also needs to make contact with drivers, provide information in text and audio to passengers. Finally, the operators wish to provide entertainment and internet services to passengers.

Passenger transport operators are required to ensure the safety of their passengers and ensure appropriate breaks for drivers as commercial vehicle operators. They are also required to identify and passport of the passenger when passing in and out of Schengen and other border crossings that have immigration controls.

9 of 27

SAFETRIP.eu is a project co-funded by the European Commission, DG Research

© Copyright 2012 SafeTRIP