Keolis Downer is celebrating the success of the on demand service as well as expanded bus operations in NSW
Transport operator Keolis Downer is celebrating five years of its Keoride On Demand service and one year of bus operations for the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore.
Keolis Downer says the Keoride On Demand transport has delivered more than 680,000 passenger trips and is the most successful on demand public transport service in Australia.
Following newly established headquarters in Warriewood at the heart of the service area, the site has allowed Keoride to provide centralised operations and fleet parking.
Keolis Downer, in partnership with Transport for NSW, started operating Keoride On Demand transport in November 2017, as part of the NSW government On Demand pilot program.
From 31 October 2021 the Keoride On Demand service became permanent as part of Keolis Downer’s successful region 8 bus tender.
Keolis Downer says the Keoride On Demand continues to maintain a high level of customer service with more than 97 per cent customer satisfaction (through customer feedback via the VIA Keoride app) using the unique mobile application to order a vehicle when they want to travel to key hubs within the service area or connecting B-Line bus stops on the Northern Beaches network.
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One of Keoride’s top three customers, Sonja Lanz Hackett of Avalon Beach, says: “I use Keoride to get from my home to the hub in Avalon town centre where I can access local bus services to travel around the beaches for shopping or catching up with friends.”
With more than 2,000 trips over the past five years, Hackett says her mobility issues would have prevented her getting to the bus stop easily, and Keoride has given her freedom to leave the house and have a social life.
With new headquarters established at the front of Warriewood Commuter car park on Pittwater Road, North Narrabeen, Keolis Downer worked closely with Northern Beaches Council to modify the site for the purpose of centralising operations and vehicle parking for the 12 strong fleet and improving facilities for the drivers.
“Our drivers are part of the community and aim to deliver an optimal passenger experience. They are committed and go above and beyond to keep our customers happy,” Keolis Downer CEO David Franks says.
“The Keolis Downer customer culture Think Like a Passenger, is a major part of the success of this service.
“We are excited to celebrate five years of the Keoride service and reaching the one year mark for bus operations in the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore.
Throughout year one, Keolis Downer’s Northern Beaches bus services have:
- One year of bus operations for the Northern Beaches & Lower North Shore bus contract
- Delivered 1.17 million bus trips in region 8 over the last 12 months
- Transported more than 18.3 million passengers to the CBD and throughout the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore