Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
I have enjoyed with interest the debate on KBSM adopting information technology in their operations. It would be good to state that they have been working on an e-ticketing and fleet management system since early last year. It is now in its pilot stage. Hopefully soon, it should be operational, initially together with the old system until complete phase out. Proper customization of technology and business methods, now and in future , are the two major constraints. S.K.Murage ----- Reply message ----- From: "robert yawe" <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> Date: Mon, Jun 27, 2011 09:11 Subject: [kictanet] A true innovation? To: <stanley_murage@yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Barrack, The reason I am trying to put across is that KBMS retains their old faithful system because there is no alternative being offered. This means that there is an untapped opportunity. On the issue of issuing tickets at least KBMS receives 80-90% of the moneys due to it, the other operators have absolutely no record keeping or collection system which would mean that the owners will be lucky to receive more than 50% of the takings. A lack of monitoring in any business is a sure recipe for failure, I have seen this even in technology environments like cyber cafes where billing systems do not capture revenue from printing and CD writing. In the ISP business many did not implement integrated billing systems allowing their staff to run virtual organisations. They never realised where the lick was even after firing half the staff and still continue to haemorrhage. I again reiterate, we need to apply technology and not just peddle technology for its own sake. Regards PS. Technology is love and love shall overcome all - Creator of the Plasma Display screen. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ________________________________ From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or..ke> Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 18:48:59 Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation? Bobby, I agree with you ,however I also think increased efficiencies are bound to benefit the sector and the public as a whole, I am not pouring cold water on the legacy systems at KBS but a change is as good as a rest, I mentioned TPG since I found it to be a very modern and efficient way of managing transport, furthermore the buses are managed and owned by the county, of interest is the fact that the system is almost similar to the megarider that KBMS had implemented but which flopped, ever noticed how some of those conductors avoid issuing tickets when they know the inspectors are not around, this is what is killing the companies if only we can propose a system that minimizes the interaction between humans and money. On 6/24/11, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Barrack,
You are doing exactly what I said we should avoid as techies, we need to take our clients from what the know to where we want them to go if you get to the destination too quickly there will be resistance.
As a developing Nation we need to create jobs, Smart Bus tried the smart card issue but it failed as we are not yet disciplined enough to be left unsupervised. City Council of Nairobi has been unable to replace the parking attendants even with Kisia at the helm, we need to appreciate that there is more to labour intensive applications can just a lack of technology.
The Kenya Bus system goes beyond just the ticketing machine, any changes will need to be effected from the backend towards the front end which is the bus/matatu/boda boda.
Virtual City have shown how a previously manual process can be automated without getting rid of staff but by empowering them to become more productive.
Regards
Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
________________________________ From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo..co.uk> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or..ke> Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 9:21:43 Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
Bobby,
I think the problem could be bigger than ticketing but the whole management set up. I found www.tpg.ch to be quite efficient because of centralised management. You pay for the card monthly or weekly and your details are stored in a magnetic strip card, the buses have no conductors but the company has contracted special Police who jump into the bus at random and will slap a hefty fine (instant justice) on anyone found in the bus without a valid ticket or card. The buses of course also have the automatic ticket dispensers where you drop in a coin or slot your card, considering that the buses are managed by the county it might be a model worth studying despite the fact that we are likely to experience resistance from those manning the transport sector which is already a mess and reverses all the gains we make as a nation due to the inefficiencies.
Best Regards
On Fri, Jun 24, 2011 at 8:28 AM, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Phares,
I would like to disagree with you on the point of cost of the device, the problem with most of us technical people is that we are unable to sell the true benefits of a the solution we offer as we look at the solution from a technical point than a business point.
We need to be able to sell the business solution not the technology at which point the US$ 2,000/- will be looked at an asset acquisition that by definition will improve the bottom line. A quick one could be why not make the ticket
larger and then sell advertising space on it, I know I get bored when travelling as the average trip takes at least 15 minutes.
The reason that ticketing device is strong at the core of KBMC's system is because it delivers all we need to do to offer an upgrade that retains the current functionality and then moves them forward from there.
I have had the opportunity to see what Kenya Business Management Company does with the data collected from those perceived archaic tickets dispensers coupled with the route records filled by the conductor at predefined locations and it is a marvel.
Watch Kenya Bus Management Company has we phase out the 14 sitters, and it is a target market that any forward thinking developer should look into.
City Hopper did not take on an efficient ticketing system and neither a route planning application because not even Thuo appreciated those metal gadgets in all the time he was MD of Kenya Bus.
Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
________________________________ From: Phares Kariuki <pkariuki@gmail.com>
To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 8:10:20 Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
Speaking from personal experience, the problem with the ticketing machines is one of management on the part of the bus company owners... There have been attempts to get rugged ticketing devices (the sort that farmers choice etc use when on the road) but they are not keen on them... One rugged device is around 2,000 USD. For 10 of them, you would need to invest in what would otherwise be a down-payment for a bus... Additionally the additional cost with regards to human resource and other ICT infrastructure is not considered worth it, by the bus companies... It's an unfortunate situation, given the obvious benefits a tech based system would have. The sad thing is all 3 major bus companies have basically reached a stagnation point with regards to operational efficiency and have barely increased their fleetsize in the last five years (proof is the fact that new bus companies, City Shuttle et al are coming into the space).
On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 12:58 PM, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Listers,
A few days ago an was in a Kenya Bus and got a deja vu moment as I looked at the conductor standing in front of me dispensing his ticket.
http://quadrantshift.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/kbs-ticket-machine.jpg.
The moment tool me back to 1978 and I a sitting in a number 29 bus coming from Eastleigh, where I went to school (now you can understand my lack of etiquette at times) to Buru Buru where we lived.
To date the machine remains the same with what seems to be a very basic activity, dispensing tickets. Which would explain why it remains the same no fancy additions or features, but what many of you might not know is that it seats at the heart of a very elaborate system.
This easily overlooked device gives Kenya Bus Management Company the wealth of information that keeps them ahead of the pack and kept them operational event after all the groups of raiders who have owned the company over the past 20 or so years, lose of their garage in Eastleigh, lose of the monopoly in Nairobi and Mombasa, lose of the sole use of the Bus Terminal in Nairobi.
Now that little gadget that we all take for granted as we start new transport organisations is what has kept them going.. There is a product ready to be
transitioned to the 21st century if only we stopped looking for opportunities for innovation in all the wrong places.
A true innovation.
Regards
PS. I am a sower, I leave harvesting to others. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- With Regards,
Phares Kariuki
| T: +254 720 406 093 | E: pkariuki@gmail.com | Twitter: kaboro | Skype: kariukiphares | B: http://www.kaboro.com/ |
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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for
people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afriregister.bi, www.afriregister.com ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno
-- Sent from my mobile device Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www..afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno
Very well Stanley it would be interesting if somebody can organise a site visit so that we talk on the ground for purposes of sharing knowledge, none theless we are looking forwad to seeing the system in action, i would be interested to see how KBMS uses the data from the present Legacy machines and how effective the information is. Thank you for the information. On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 1:21 PM, stanley_murage@yahoo.com < stanley_murage@yahoo.com> wrote:
I have enjoyed with interest the debate on KBSM adopting information technology in their operations. It would be good to state that they have been working on an e-ticketing and fleet management system since early last year. It is now in its pilot stage. Hopefully soon, it should be operational, initially together with the old system until complete phase out. Proper customization of technology and business methods, now and in future , are the two major constraints.
S.K.Murage
----- Reply message ----- From: "robert yawe" <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> Date: Mon, Jun 27, 2011 09:11 Subject: [kictanet] A true innovation? To: <stanley_murage@yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Barrack,
The reason I am trying to put across is that KBMS retains their old faithful system because there is no alternative being offered. This means that there is an untapped opportunity.
On the issue of issuing tickets at least KBMS receives 80-90% of the moneys due to it, the other operators have absolutely no record keeping or collection system which would mean that the owners will be lucky to receive more than 50% of the takings.
A lack of monitoring in any business is a sure recipe for failure, I have seen this even in technology environments like cyber cafes where billing systems do not capture revenue from printing and CD writing. In the ISP business many did not implement integrated billing systems allowing their staff to run virtual organisations. They never realised where the lick was even after firing half the staff and still continue to haemorrhage.
I again reiterate, we need to apply technology and not just peddle technology for its own sake.
Regards
PS. Technology is love and love shall overcome all - Creator of the Plasma
Display screen. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
________________________________ From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or..ke> Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 18:48:59 Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
Bobby,
I agree with you ,however I also think increased efficiencies are bound to benefit the sector and the public as a whole, I am not pouring cold water on the legacy systems at KBS but a change is as good as a rest, I mentioned TPG since I found it to be a very modern and efficient way of managing transport, furthermore the buses are managed and owned by the county, of interest is the fact that the system is almost similar to the megarider that KBMS had implemented but which flopped, ever noticed how some of those conductors avoid issuing tickets when they know the inspectors are not around, this is what is killing the companies if only we can propose a system that minimizes the interaction between humans and money.
On 6/24/11, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Barrack,
You are doing exactly what I said we should avoid as techies, we need to take our clients from what the know to where we want them to go if you get to the destination too quickly there will be resistance.
As a developing Nation we need to create jobs, Smart Bus tried the smart card issue but it failed as we are not yet disciplined enough to be left unsupervised. City Council of Nairobi has been unable to replace the parking attendants even with Kisia at the helm, we need to appreciate that there is more to labour intensive applications can just a lack of technology.
The Kenya Bus system goes beyond just the ticketing machine, any changes will need to be effected from the backend towards the front end which is the bus/matatu/boda boda.
Virtual City have shown how a previously manual process can be automated without getting rid of staff but by empowering them to become more productive.
Regards
Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
________________________________ From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo..co.uk> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or..ke>
Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 9:21:43 Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
Bobby,
I think the problem could be bigger than ticketing but the whole management set up. I found www.tpg.ch to be quite efficient because of centralised management. You pay for the card monthly or weekly and your details are stored in a magnetic strip card, the buses have no conductors but the company has contracted special Police who jump into the bus at random and will slap a hefty fine (instant justice) on anyone found in the bus without a valid ticket or card. The buses of course also have the automatic ticket dispensers where you drop in a coin or slot your card, considering that the buses are managed by the county it might be a model worth studying despite the fact that we are likely to experience resistance from those manning the transport sector which is already a mess and reverses all the gains we make as a nation due to the inefficiencies.
Best Regards
On Fri, Jun 24, 2011 at 8:28 AM, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Phares,
I would like to disagree with you on the point of cost of the device, the problem with most of us technical people is that we are unable to sell
true benefits of a the solution we offer as we look at the solution from a technical point than a business point.
We need to be able to sell the business solution not the technology at which point the US$ 2,000/- will be looked at an asset acquisition that by definition will improve the bottom line. A quick one could be why not make the ticket
larger and then sell advertising space on it, I know I get bored when travelling as the average trip takes at least 15 minutes.
The reason that ticketing device is strong at the core of KBMC's system is because it delivers all we need to do to offer an upgrade that retains
the the
current functionality and then moves them forward from there.
I have had the opportunity to see what Kenya Business Management Company does with the data collected from those perceived archaic tickets dispensers coupled with the route records filled by the conductor at predefined locations and it is a marvel.
Watch Kenya Bus Management Company has we phase out the 14 sitters, and it is a target market that any forward thinking developer should look into.
City Hopper did not take on an efficient ticketing system and neither a route planning application because not even Thuo appreciated those metal gadgets in all the time he was MD of Kenya Bus.
Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 8:10:20 Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
Speaking from personal experience, the problem with the ticketing machines is one of management on the part of the bus company owners... There have been attempts to get rugged ticketing devices (the sort that farmers choice etc use when on the road) but they are not keen on them... One rugged device is around 2,000 USD. For 10 of them, you would need to invest in what would otherwise be a down-payment for a bus... Additionally the additional cost with regards to human resource and other ICT infrastructure is not considered worth it, by the bus companies... It's an unfortunate situation, given the obvious benefits a tech based system would have. The sad thing is all 3 major bus companies have basically reached a stagnation point with regards to operational efficiency and have barely increased their fleetsize in the last five years (proof is
________________________________ From: Phares Kariuki <pkariuki@gmail.com> the
fact that new bus companies, City Shuttle et al are coming into the space).
On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 12:58 PM, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Listers,
A few days ago an was in a Kenya Bus and got a deja vu moment as I
looked
at the conductor standing in front of me dispensing his ticket.
http://quadrantshift.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/kbs-ticket-machine.jpg.
The moment tool me back to 1978 and I a sitting in a number 29 bus
coming
from Eastleigh, where I went to school (now you can understand my lack of etiquette at times) to Buru Buru where we lived.
To date the machine remains the same with what seems to be a very basic activity, dispensing tickets. Which would explain why it remains the same no fancy additions or features, but what many of you might not know is that it seats at the heart of a very elaborate system.
This easily overlooked device gives Kenya Bus Management Company the wealth of information that keeps them ahead of the pack and kept them operational event after all the groups of raiders who have owned the company over the past 20 or so years, lose of their garage in Eastleigh, lose of the monopoly in Nairobi and Mombasa, lose of the sole use of the Bus Terminal in Nairobi.
Now that little gadget that we all take for granted as we start new transport organisations is what has kept them going.. There is a product ready to be
transitioned to the 21st century if only we stopped looking for opportunities for innovation in all the wrong places.
A true innovation.
Regards
PS. I am a sower, I leave harvesting to others. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at
http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/pkariuki%40gmail.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
share
knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- With Regards,
Phares Kariuki
| T: +254 720 406 093 | E: pkariuki@gmail.com | Twitter: kaboro | Skype: kariukiphares | B: http://www.kaboro.com/ |
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at
http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail....
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
for
people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afriregister.bi, www.afriregister.com ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno
-- Sent from my mobile device
Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www..afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno
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Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail....
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www.afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno
@ Andrea, you hit the nail on the head, sometimes i feel that public transport is the governments responsibility, it can help it attain 1 trillion pap and leave us a happier lot. On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 7:01 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com>wrote:
Very well Stanley it would be interesting if somebody can organise a site visit so that we talk on the ground for purposes of sharing knowledge, none theless we are looking forwad to seeing the system in action, i would be interested to see how KBMS uses the data from the present Legacy machines and how effective the information is. Thank you for the information.
On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 1:21 PM, stanley_murage@yahoo.com < stanley_murage@yahoo.com> wrote:
I have enjoyed with interest the debate on KBSM adopting information technology in their operations. It would be good to state that they have been working on an e-ticketing and fleet management system since early last year. It is now in its pilot stage. Hopefully soon, it should be operational, initially together with the old system until complete phase out. Proper customization of technology and business methods, now and in future , are the two major constraints.
S.K.Murage
----- Reply message ----- From: "robert yawe" <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> Date: Mon, Jun 27, 2011 09:11 Subject: [kictanet] A true innovation? To: <stanley_murage@yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Barrack,
The reason I am trying to put across is that KBMS retains their old faithful system because there is no alternative being offered. This means that there is an untapped opportunity.
On the issue of issuing tickets at least KBMS receives 80-90% of the moneys due to it, the other operators have absolutely no record keeping or collection
system which would mean that the owners will be lucky to receive more than 50% of the takings.
A lack of monitoring in any business is a sure recipe for failure, I have seen this even in technology environments like cyber cafes where billing systems do not capture revenue from printing and CD writing. In the ISP business many did not implement integrated billing systems allowing their staff to run virtual organisations. They never realised where the lick was even after firing half the staff and still continue to haemorrhage.
I again reiterate, we need to apply technology and not just peddle technology for its own sake.
Regards
PS. Technology is love and love shall overcome all - Creator of the Plasma Display screen. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
________________________________ From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
<kictanet@lists.kictanet.or..ke> Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 18:48:59 Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
Bobby,
I agree with you ,however I also think increased efficiencies are bound to benefit the sector and the public as a whole, I am not pouring cold water on the legacy systems at KBS but a change is as good as a rest, I mentioned TPG since I found it to be a very modern and efficient way of managing transport, furthermore the buses are managed and owned by the county, of interest is the fact that the system is almost similar to the megarider that KBMS had implemented but which flopped, ever noticed how some of those conductors avoid issuing tickets when they know the inspectors are not around, this is what is killing the companies if only we can propose a system that minimizes the interaction between humans and money.
On 6/24/11, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Barrack,
You are doing exactly what I said we should avoid as techies, we need to take our clients from what the know to where we want them to go if you get to the destination too quickly there will be resistance.
As a developing Nation we need to create jobs, Smart Bus tried the smart card issue but it failed as we are not yet disciplined enough to be left unsupervised. City Council of Nairobi has been unable to replace the parking attendants even with Kisia at the helm, we need to appreciate that there is more to labour intensive applications can just a lack of technology.
The Kenya Bus system goes beyond just the ticketing machine, any changes will need to be effected from the backend towards the front end which is the bus/matatu/boda boda.
Virtual City have shown how a previously manual process can be automated without getting rid of staff but by empowering them to become more productive.
Regards
Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
________________________________ From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo..co.uk> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or..ke>
Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 9:21:43 Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
Bobby,
I think the problem could be bigger than ticketing but the whole management set up. I found www.tpg.ch to be quite efficient because of centralised management. You pay for the card monthly or weekly and your details are stored in a magnetic strip card, the buses have no conductors but the company has contracted special Police who jump into the bus at random and will slap a hefty fine (instant justice) on anyone found in the bus without a valid ticket or card. The buses of course also have the automatic ticket dispensers where you drop in a coin or slot your card, considering that the buses are managed by the county it might be a model worth studying despite the fact that we are likely to experience resistance from those manning the transport sector which is already a mess and reverses all the gains we make as a nation due to the inefficiencies.
Best Regards
On Fri, Jun 24, 2011 at 8:28 AM, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Phares,
I would like to disagree with you on the point of cost of the device,
problem with most of us technical people is that we are unable to sell
true benefits of a the solution we offer as we look at the solution from a technical point than a business point.
We need to be able to sell the business solution not the technology at which point the US$ 2,000/- will be looked at an asset acquisition that by definition will improve the bottom line. A quick one could be why not make the ticket
larger and then sell advertising space on it, I know I get bored when travelling as the average trip takes at least 15 minutes.
The reason that ticketing device is strong at the core of KBMC's system is because it delivers all we need to do to offer an upgrade that retains
the the the
current functionality and then moves them forward from there.
I have had the opportunity to see what Kenya Business Management Company does with the data collected from those perceived archaic tickets dispensers coupled with the route records filled by the conductor at predefined locations and it is a marvel.
Watch Kenya Bus Management Company has we phase out the 14 sitters, and it is a target market that any forward thinking developer should look into.
City Hopper did not take on an efficient ticketing system and neither a route planning application because not even Thuo appreciated those metal gadgets in all the time he was MD of Kenya Bus.
Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Fri, 24 June, 2011 8:10:20 Subject: Re: [kictanet] A true innovation?
Speaking from personal experience, the problem with the ticketing machines is one of management on the part of the bus company owners... There have been attempts to get rugged ticketing devices (the sort that farmers choice etc use when on the road) but they are not keen on them... One rugged device is around 2,000 USD. For 10 of them, you would need to invest in what would otherwise be a down-payment for a bus... Additionally the additional cost with regards to human resource and other ICT infrastructure is not considered worth it, by the bus companies... It's an unfortunate situation, given the obvious benefits a tech based system would have. The sad thing is all 3 major bus companies have basically reached a stagnation point with regards to operational efficiency and have barely increased their fleetsize in the last five years (proof is
fact that new bus companies, City Shuttle et al are coming into the space).
On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 12:58 PM, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Listers,
A few days ago an was in a Kenya Bus and got a deja vu moment as I
looked
at the conductor standing in front of me dispensing his ticket.
http://quadrantshift.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/kbs-ticket-machine.jpg.
The moment tool me back to 1978 and I a sitting in a number 29 bus
coming
from Eastleigh, where I went to school (now you can understand my lack of etiquette at times) to Buru Buru where we lived.
To date the machine remains the same with what seems to be a very basic activity, dispensing tickets. Which would explain why it remains the same no fancy additions or features, but what many of you might not know is
it seats at the heart of a very elaborate system.
This easily overlooked device gives Kenya Bus Management Company the wealth of information that keeps them ahead of the pack and kept them operational event after all the groups of raiders who have owned the company over the
________________________________ From: Phares Kariuki <pkariuki@gmail.com> the that past
20 or so years, lose of their garage in Eastleigh, lose of the monopoly in Nairobi and Mombasa, lose of the sole use of the Bus Terminal in Nairobi.
Now that little gadget that we all take for granted as we start new transport organisations is what has kept them going.. There is a product ready to be
transitioned to the 21st century if only we stopped looking for opportunities for innovation in all the wrong places.
A true innovation.
Regards
PS. I am a sower, I leave harvesting to others. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya
Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
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