Draft:BeepBus

BeepBus: A Caribbean Transit Solution With Great Potential

Introduction

• BeepBus was an app that provided information on buses in Barbados, such as routes, schedules, and real-time locations.
• It was developed by Caribbean Transit Solutions (CTS), a company founded by Khalil Bryan and Veronica Millington in 2014, with the aim of improving the lives of Caribbean people through leveraging technology.
• BeepBus was the first app of its kind in Barbados and received positive feedback from users who appreciated the convenience and reliability of the service.
• However, BeepBus faced several challenges that led to its decline and eventual suspension in 2022, such as lack of support from the government and the private sector, high operational costs, and low user retention.

Background

• The public transport system in Barbados consists of three types of buses: Transport Board, ZRs, and minibuses, which carry over 45,000 commuters daily..
• However, the system suffers from inefficiencies, such as irregular schedules, overcrowding, and poor maintenance, which cause frustration and inconvenience for passengers.
• CTS saw the opportunity to provide a solution that would enhance the transit experience and empower commuters to make informed decisions about their journeys.
• They developed BeepBus, an app that used GPS, mobile data, and internet technologies to map the bus transit system and provide users with relevant information.
• BeepBus also calculated the estimated time and fare to the destination, and allowed users to search by route, bus type, or destination to select the best journey option for them³.
• BeepBus was launched in 2015 and was available for both Android and iOS devices, as well as on a web platform.

Analysis

• BeepBus had several strengths that made it a valuable and innovative service for the Barbadian market, such as:
  • It addressed a real problem that affected many people on a daily basis.
  • It used technology to provide a simple and user-friendly solution that improved the efficiency and accessibility of the public transport system.
  • It created a competitive advantage over other transit apps that were not available or tailored to the Caribbean context.
  • It generated positive social and environmental impacts by reducing congestion, pollution, and stress, and by promoting public transport as a viable and attractive option.
• However, BeepBus also faced several weaknesses and threats that hindered its growth and sustainability, such as:
  • It relied on the cooperation and participation of the bus operators, who were not always willing or able to install and maintain the GPS devices on their vehicles.
  • It incurred operational costs that were not covered by any revenue stream, as the app was offered for free to users and did not have any in-app advertising or premium features.
  • It was challenged with gaining the support and recognition from the government and the private sector, who did not see the value or potential of the app, or who had conflicting interests or agendas.
  • While BeepBus had a number of users on the app, some of the challenges for the user base included that many people did not have smartphones or mobile internet access, or preferred to use other modes of transport, such as cars or taxis.

Conclusion

• BeepBus was a pioneering and promising app that aimed to transform the public transport system in Barbados and improve the lives of commuters.
• However, it faced many challenges and barriers that prevented it from achieving its full potential and reaching its target market.
• Updates on BeepBus app were discontinued in Feb 2023, after CTS merged with OnTrac Telematics Corporation, a Barbadian company that provides fleet management and data analytics solutions
• BeepBus was a case of an excellent transformative idea that failed to reach the market in the way that the founders had hoped due to lack of support, and resources.