25A - What's Next?

Existing Market

·      I think what’s next for my business is to update all of the technology and insides on all of the buses themselves. After creating the new reliable app, it’s important to make sure the buses have all the new technology this world has to offer. New GPS trackers, outlets for charging, etc. It’s also important that old and stained seat covers are replaced and that the inside of the buses get a face lift. It’s one thing to give people a reliable app to use to catch the buses, it’s another to give them a means of transportation that is comfortable, clean, and enjoyable.

Interviews:

·      First, I interviewed a sophomore named Elizabeth. Elizabeth is taking summer classes at UF and is using the buses to get her to campus every day. After talking to her about my idea for a new reliable RTS bus app, I asked her what she thinks I should be doing that I’m currently not planning. She wasn’t really sure what would be next for my app, but said that I could give the buses an uplift. She mentioned that a reliable app is huge to get people to use the bus system, but more people would be using my app if the buses themselves were cleaner, more welcoming, and comfy. It was crazy that she had the same idea I had. I explained to her that I was already thinking of giving the buses a facelift and also updating all of the technology on the buses and she seemed to really like the idea. She mentioned that if the buses were cleaner and more welcoming that she knows a lot of girls in her sorority that would be more willing to take the bus.

·      Second, I interviewed Ryan. Ryan had a very similar idea to Elizabeth. He mentioned that if the app is working like it should and is super reliable, that the next step should be to update the actually buses. He said that the buses need to be more welcoming and not so gross and hot. He also mentioned that his bus ride to campus can sometimes take 20+ minutes depending on traffic and other stops. He said that he wished the seats were more comfortable and that he had an outlet he could plug into. I was surprised to see that another person thought that updating the buses themselves should be my next step.

·      Lastly, I interviewed Grace. After talking to her about my idea, I asked her what she thinks I should be doing that I’m currently not planning. She had a different answer than everyone else. She mentioned that I should come up with a way to tell people when their buses will be arriving, without the use of an app. She said she pays for her own phone and cannot afford a smart phone so using the app is pretty hard and not really possible for her. I really liked this idea. I then proceeded to explain to her what I thought was next for my company and she agreed that the buses need an uplift for sure.

What makes the most since:

·      I think what makes the most sense for my venture is to give the buses an uplift. I need to give people a comfy and clean bus. All the gross stains need to be gone, new bright and welcoming color scheme needs to be enforced, the way you request to stop the bus needs to be changed and done in a way that doesn’t gross people out by touching the dirty wire, and so much more. All the little details on the bus need to be changed. Having a reliable app is great, but I need to get more people willing to use the buses and feel like an uplift is the perfect way.

·      I also will update all of the technology on all of the buses themselves. There is so much new and improved technology out there, and the buses need to be equipped with the best of the best. A new GPS tracking system, outlets on all of the buses, music playing, etc. With updating the technology on the buses I really think It is smart to figure out a way to let people who don’t have smartphones or access to the app still get the chance to know when the bus they need will be arriving.

New Market:

·      Thinking of a new market was extremely hard for me. I debated on talking about adults without a car or professors, but I didn’t think they were different enough from college students. With this said, I think a new market that I have not previously thought of are elderly people. While college students make up a huge part of Gainesville, there are plenty of other people, including the elderly, that also need help getting around. I actually live across the street from Parklands Care Center and see numerus elderly men and women taking the bus at the same time I do. I think that my new reliable RTS bus app will be able to help the elderly as well. Although many old people don’t know how to use a phone or download an app for that matter, I still believe that it could really benefit them. Whether it be the people in charge of them at their homes or if it’s their children helping them out, I think that having an app that’s reliable will allow the elderly to have plenty of time to get to the stop, on the bus, and where they need to go. Many elderly people don’t drive or have a car, so giving them a reliable bus system is very important. I also believe that updating the insides of the buses with comfortable seating will draw more elderly folks to use the bus system.

Interviews:

·      First, I interviewed Lori. Lori is 65 years old and doesn’t have a car. She currently takes the RTS bus around to help get her where she needs to go. She has an iPhone and knows how to use the RTS bus app. She said that her kids, grandkids, and friends at her care center have helped her get used to using and navigating the app. However, she mentioned that she has missed the bus plenty of times because it gave her the wrong estimated time of arrival. Lori thinks having a reliable app will really benefit her and help her get around much easier.

·      Second, I interviewed Carlo. Carlo is 70 years old and has no way of getting around so he uses the bus system. He mentioned that he doesn’t have a smartphone and doesn’t get to use the app to help him know where his bus is. He explained to me that I need to come up with an easier way for people his age to know when their bus is coming. He said that he wishes that he could get a simple text message on his flip phone that tells him how far his bus is. He said he can have his kids, grandkids, caretakers, etc. help him easily set it up. He said he knows how to send a simple text messages and wishes he could text a number that is connected to the app and type “route 13” and it would send him a message back of how far the bus is.

Reflect:

·      I think what surprised me the most, was how great of an idea it is to be able to text a number that could text you back how far away your bus is. This would benefit anyone and everyone who doesn’t have a smartphone or access to download the RTS bus app. I’m not really sure all the details, but I feel like we could come up with an idea that is easy to use and reliable for the elderly so they can also use the bus system.

·      Overall, I don’t think this market is as attractive as I once thought. Although I have seen many elderly people on the buses, using an app and making a new text message feature may be a little too complicated than I first thought. I feel like trying to market my app to elderly people just isn’t worth it and wouldn’t create a whole bunch of new RTS bus system users. Although, I do think I could come up with an idea that is easy to use and realizable for people without smartphones, I just don’t think this market is anywhere near as attractive as my existing market of college students.