London Transport

Challenge

PASS (Passenger Agents Sales Service) operates as an independent commercial trading unit within London Transport. A multi-million pound business, PASS supplies daily, weekly and monthly passes, child rate photocards and Travelcards through a network of 2,300 agents. Most agents are small newsagents/tobacconists located throughout the London Transport area covering Greater London and the Home Counties. PASS is also responsible for bulk sales of tickets to local authorities for OAPs and students as well as to large companies for their employees.

When it took over responsibilities for passes and cards, PASS found a significant difference between the physical stock of tickets in its warehouse or with agents and the recorded figures. There are some 200 different types of tickets required to cover every zone, time period and type of traveller. Since records of sales are based on a valid stock reconciliation, PASS had to undertake a full audit and revise all the records. The previous IBM System 36-based accounting system did not have the necessary capabilities and consequently PASS had to find a new system.

Gains and benefits

• Fully integrated accounting - tight financial control of every process – more efficient and effective
• Ticket stocks and allocations now fully controlled – saves time and saves money
• Discrepancy error rates fallen to negligible levels
• Sales forecasting provides management information and agent support
• Field staff use HHDs for stocks movement recording, invoicing and re-ordering
• Field-based operations enables fast payment collection and improved cash flow
• Management accounts produced very soon after month end – improved management processes

Together, we have developed a very efficient, fully functional, integrated ticket management system.

David White - IT Manager, London Transport PASS