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Determining Priorities for Good Customer Service. Int’l Assc. of Transportation Regulators September 2005. What To Prioritize?. Clean new vehicles Courteous drivers Driver geographic knowledge Telephone response times Street hail/taxi stand availability …. and on. Key Considerations.
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Determining Priorities for Good Customer Service Int’l Assc. of Transportation Regulators September 2005
What To Prioritize? • Clean new vehicles • Courteous drivers • Driver geographic knowledge • Telephone response times • Street hail/taxi stand availability • …. and on
Key Considerations • Axiomatic: • Safety • Accountability
Key Considerations • Priorities will depend on current service quality • Also depend on markets being served • Downtown stand/hail markets • Airport on-demand trips • Neighborhood telephone calls • But an answerable question!
Research Methodologies • Surveys (quantitative methods) • Focus groups (qualitative methods) • Customer research not the only tool • Observational data • Company computerized dispatch records • Complaints • Constituency groups
Survey Goals • Objectively quantify customer attitudes • Identify strengths and weaknesses • Put data in context of everything else we know • Help tell the story
Survey Methods • Sample of users • Mostly closed-end questions • Quantify responses
Survey Methods • Telephone • Residents • Can use customer lists • Intercept • Short in-person interviews • Mail and Email/web-based • Need lists
Credit cards 29% of residents say important to be able to use credit cards to pay the fare 42% of visitors say credit cards important Other Topics (Anaheim surveys)
Assistance with packages 14% of residents needed assistance Driver assisted 68% of those needing assistance Other Topics (Anaheim surveys)
Other Topics (Anaheim surveys) • Filing complaints • 32% of residents have thought of making complaint • 55% would know where to call -- nearly all would call cab company
Other Topics (Anaheim surveys) • Taxi usage • 6.6 taxi trips per month (residents) • Main trip purposes: • Shopping • Recreational/social activity • Commuting • Personal business/medical • 2.5 taxi trips during their stay (visitors)
Other Topics (Anaheim surveys) • Other • 27% had personal car available last time used a cab • 20% driver offered cell phone number • Average age of residents: 37 • 7% age 60 or over
Methodology: Highly useful to evaluating service needs Provides objective information that carries weight Not necessarily expensive Setting priorities: Pattern that service response times are significant concern Potential to grow ridership Conclusion: Surveys
Focus groups • Goals • Rich detail • Not quantifiable • Methodology • 8-12 taxi users or potential users • 11/2 - 2 hour moderated discussion • Cover range of customer segments
NYC Focus Groups • Technology enhancements • Understand reactions and requirements • Drivers • Passengers • What are keys to passenger and driver acceptance?
Methodology • 6 driver groups, segmented by shift lessees, weekly lessees, owner-drivers • 4 customer groups • Discussion aided by one-page questionnaires • Concept-level discussion
Passenger Reaction • Context of cab-riding • “Time out” • Want to be treated as a customer • Unease with driver
Passenger Reaction • Credit and debit cards • Noncash payment methods highly valued • Speed and reliability of transaction essential • High concern with security • Surcharges viewed as unfair, unreasonable • Maintain control of transaction
Passenger information monitors Acceptance highly dependent on PIM capabilities, advertising and passenger control Map is primary selling point Advertising should provide value to customer Customers want choice and control Passenger Reaction
Context of driving a cab Primary concern is making money Approach enhancements skeptically Postive about customer enhancements Want professionalism and skills recognized Driver Reaction
Credit and debit cards Overall quite positive provided financial impacts are mitigated Not expecting higher tips/more riders Driver Reaction
Passenger information monitors Neutral or positive if concerns addressed Cost Vandalism Annoyance to passengers Summonses for nonworking devices Driver Reaction
Text messaging Very positive - see direct benefits Driver Reaction
Vehicle tracking and electronic trip sheets Mixed reaction Trip sheets lack full functionality of paper trip sheets Some owner-drivers express privacy concerns Driver Reaction
Great potential for improving passenger and driver experience “Devil is in the details” Passengers: Speed, ease of use, control Drivers: Cost and revenue implications Conclusions to NYC Project
Conclusion • Surveys and focus groups provide highly valuable information • Forms key part of picture to help set priorities