Greyhound GPS Tracker
When it comes to fleet management, no technology can better improve efficiency than real-time GPS trackers. Basically what these little vehicle monitoring devices can do is observe the driving data of hundreds of vehicles, making it easy to pinpoint exactly where any particular automobile is located. This information can improve route times, identify driver inefficiencies, reduce gasoline consumption and more. That is why it is so surprising that one of the largest bus transit companies does not use the technology and share the monitoring GPS data with their customers.
According to the statistics provided by Greyhound, the bus company has nearly 1,800 passenger buses in operation. Those buses transported roughly 18 million people over 5.5 billion passenger miles in 2010 alone. With such a massive fleet operation, need for fuel and quality customer service requirements, bus GPS tracker devices would be an ideal solution to help the bus company enhance operations on many different levels. For example, ShareSpot technology featured on popular live GPS trackers would offer an easy way for riders to know the exact position of where their scheduled bus is located at any given time. This technology, which is accessible via computer or mobile phone, would provide real-time data. Data that would let passengers know if their bus is right on schedule or a few minutes delayed. Not to mention, family members or friends could use this GPS data to know that their loved ones arrived at their destination safely and timely. This would be easy to observe as all bus stops are time stamped. GPS trackers not only provide real-time data that can help passengers get the most accurate bus scheduling and routing information possible, but the monitoring systems can also help the popular bus company rate bus operators according driver efficiency. This is because OBD GPS trackers can be plugged directly into the on board diagnostics port of a bus where the unit can accurately measure driver speeds, aggressive driving behaviors and or harsh braking. This information not only is helpful in determining whether or not a bus operator is safely using company mobile assets, but also useful in measuring when a bus might need to be brought into the shop for maintenance. It is only a matter of time before all public transit and bus transit operations are equipped with GPS trackers capable of providing live locational data at any given time. With gas prices continually climbing, productivity needing to be near its maximum capacity and customer service being simply too important, it is surprising bus companies such as Greyhound are not already utilizing the fleet tracker technology.
Where Is Greyhound Bus
Bus Safety: How GPS Tracking Can Help
From a customer service standpoint it is clear to see the advantages a bus company would have by sharing real-time locational data of buses on the road through the use of real-time GPS tracking data, but that same vehicle tracking information could also be used to enhance bus safety. Along with the locational information, GPS trackers provide other data that includes how fast a bus is driving, if a driver is leaving a bus idling, if a bus driver is too harsh on the brakes and more. This GPS tracking data can provide fleet managers with easily digestible information that can be analyzed to determine if a bus driver is operating company vehicles safely. The automotive industry is constantly evolving and providing motorists and businesses with tools designed to increase productivity and safety. Every vehicle that transports large numbers of people should utilize some for of GPS tracking to enhance rider safety and hopefully Greyhound along with other transportation companies will move forward with such a vehicle management strategy.
GPS Trackers On Greyhound Buses
Real-time GPS trackers are routinely used by companies with fleet management and vehicle monitoring needs. Taxi cabs, airport shuttles and limousine operations all equip their vehicle fleet with GPS trackers because they know that the GPS monitoring devices provide multiple levels of assistance to help a business not only cut unnecessary cost, but also improve profit and the overall customer experience. Something that is accomplished through better route management, sharing of GPS tracking data and improvement of driver efficiency. That is why it is so shocking to see a company that places its reputation on the line as a passenger-friendly transportation business such as Greyhound not use GPS trackers on all vehicles in the fleet operation
Locate Greyhound Bus
Speaking strictly in terms of GPS vehicle tracking for fleet management, the three primary ways GPS trackers provide assistance is through tracking, routing and sharing. Tracking basically refers to the process of GPS tracking drivers. Whether the process is conducted in real-time or simply done for documenting historical driving records, GPS tracking gives a business a simple method to audit driving behaviors. Behaviors such as speeding that can actually create additional liability for a company. Routing is the second most effective way GPS trackers can help maximize a businesses fleet efficiency. This is because real-time GPS trackers can completely network and connect a fleet of automobiles, regardless if that fleet is as small as two (2) trucks or as large as two thousand (2,000) trucks. Through better route management, fuel costs are curbed to lower levels and drivers are monitored for maximum driving efficiency.
One of the most popular features of GPS trackers that operate in real-time is a sharing feature that would allow a company such as Greyhound to upload the location of all their buses on a easy-to-access online mapping program. This is what many limo and airport shuttle companies all across the United States are already doing. How the sharing of GPS tracking data works and creates a customer service perk is quite simple. The bus would be equipped with a GPS tracker that would send out the location of that vehicle every few seconds. The data could be shared by the bus company on their website or Facebook page. Customers could then go online to see exactly where a bus is located at any given time allowing them to know if a bus is running a few minutes behind schedule. The real-time information could even be accessed by mobile device! GPS trackers have pushed the limits of transportation efficiency and accountability and it is the reason why so many service-based transport companies are investing in the real-time technology.

Sage is a freelance writer with a background in information technology.