Delivering an ICT service using Auckland's PT/RTN. Feasible?

[Andrew]

[Permission was obtained from Cameron (CBTAdmin) to post this topic, as it discusses a business/commercial idea]

Hi,

Last week I posted my personal travel pattern and worked out the cost of owning a car (excluding purchase/depreciation) and compared it to giving up the car and using public transport more - our household would go from two-car to single-car.

I've decided to explore this idea further and tie it into where I hope to take my (currently) one-man business.

Over the last few years I've been working on designing and building a managed small-to-medium computer network service. It's been a long time coming, but I think it's nearly ready to go to market. Currently it has one test client (a school) on the Shore, plus a couple of small personal test users.

I've designed the managed service to balance being well automated, reliable and economical as possible, one economy being the network is capable of some power management. I'm trying to create an 'eco' network with workstation and server power management and such (I won't go into any further detail as I'm not supposed to be advertising!)

Thinking about my personal transport got me thinking about the transport needs of such a business, and got me wondering, can such a business work *without* vehicles and instead rely on Auckland's passenger transport services?

This is an idea in its infancy, and I'd be interested in the opinions of forum members as to whether this might just work and how appealing this eco-delivery-of-service would appeal.

Here's the idea:

Myself initially, and eventually staff, would be kitted out with some sort of backpack or bag which included:
- a laptop or netbook and work cellphone with mobile data
- a toolkit
- an umbrella (hey, it's Auckland)
- a Discovery Monthly pass
- a CityHop card

I'd try to get clients mainly reasonably close to the city centre and transit corridors (rail, busway, busy bus routes like Dominion Rd) and promote the service as being an eco-service.
I'd provide discounts for "RTN travel" to clients should they take it up.

I'd get suppliers to deliver computers, larger parts etc directly to the clients. Occasionally I may rent a van or borrow a vehicle to collect old equipment for disposal or recycling, but the primary means of transport would be the Discovery and CityHop cards - the CityHop being used for clients away from transit corridors, days with really bad weather, urgent callouts, or when moving some gear around. And for bus strikes (grr!). Also some tasks would be carried out remotely, helping minimize transport cost.

I'd initially also as a backup have access to my partner's car and the business would reimburse her for use of it.

What do you think? Would such an idea work?
Would you support the idea of such a service?
Would you use such a service?
If you are in IT, would you work for such an employer? (the DM pass being a perk)

Interested in your thoughts, please do post them.

Thanks,

Andrew

[nzbcfanboi]

What do you think? Would such an idea work?
Would you support the idea of such a service?
Would you use such a service?
If you are in IT, would you work for such an employer? (the DM pass being a perk)

Sounds well um different and yes I would work for such an employer less I drive the better for all of Auckland (btw I'm looking work )

[CCreegan]

It will work right up until the first time you don't deliver on your SLA.

This differs from other business models not at all, but you are almost certainly more vulnerable to outside factors.

[Andrew]

It will work right up until the first time you don't deliver on your SLA.

This differs from other business models not at all, but you are almost certainly more vulnerable to outside factors.

SLAs are usually for larger contracts. My main current client opted for a 24 hour response although I guess some would want more in the future. And I'm considering aiming for smaller clients (3-50 seats).
Besides, this is where the CityHop service would be useful, or if that weren't available or I got stranded, a taxi would do too, but that'd be reserved for emergencies.

My current draft price plan has a callout fee (reducing in steps for support / managed network contracts) with x free "RTN" (rapid transit network) site visits/callouts and y free other site visits/callouts per year (where x > y) depending on the service plan, and after that an RTN visit is half the price of a non-RTN visit. If a client needed something quick, they'd pay for a non-RTN visit.

Sounds well um different and yes I would work for such an employer less I drive the better for all of Auckland (btw I'm looking work )

It's too early for me to start employing just yet, sorry. Give me some time to work out if this can happen and to get things off the ground and then I can start thinking about that.

[apl2]

Over the last few years I've been working on designing and building a managed small-to-medium computer network service.

I'm a software architect/engineer and I go to clients' sites by PT most of the time, but admittedly, I haven't had too many which are too far from high-volume bus routes thus far.

[Jeremy Harris]

It'll work till the first bus strike...

[Andrew]

It'll work till the first bus strike...

I'm thinking of concentrating on the Rapid Transit part of the system - within 500m of any rail or busway station, or within 250m or 500m of high-frequency routes.

I've made a draft diagram:

I've included the Beachhaven bus loop as I have a key client (a school) on there already and I know it well having lived there a few years back. I'd add others on if they're good.

Apart from increased use, I don't believe it's been adversely affected by the strike action.

(Although I guess I'd be in the poop if the train staff or Ritchies drivers strike or get locked out one day...)

I've drawn up a draft rates sheet and I've got three sets of rates - one for remote work, one for "RTN site visits" and one for "other site visits".

The "other" one covers the cost of obtaining a vehicle or transport, be it a borrowed vehicle, a CityHop car, or a taxi ride.

BTW, has anyone here tried CityHop? If so what do you think of it?

[nzqf182]

It would be a interesting idea of giving a staff member a Discovery Monthly pass. I know some workplaces already discount tickets for staff such as Middlemore hospital. Would you have to pay a fringe benefit tax on the Discovery Monthly pass?

Would there be a smaller discount for clients on on the Southern/Eastern that would require a 1stage bus trip from the rail interchange to client?

[Andrew]

It would be a interesting idea of giving a staff member a Discovery Monthly pass. I know some workplaces already discount tickets for staff such as Middlemore hospital. Would you have to pay a fringe benefit tax on the Discovery Monthly pass?

Hm, I'm not sure. Reading this and this from the IRD I'm guessing no I won't have to pay FBT. I'm understanding the linked article as saying only public transport operators have to pay FBT on transport subsidies to staff, but I'll have to check with my accountant before getting one I suppose.

Put it this way; I can't find anything saying that a transport pass provided by anyone other than a PT operator is liable. I get the impression tho that the lawmakers figured nobody else would bother!
All the other FBT transportation stuff I found refers to vehicles and associated expenses.

Would there be a smaller discount for clients on on the Southern/Eastern that would require a 1stage bus trip from the rail interchange to client?

If I use Discovery Monthlies, they'd get the same discount assuming the bus route in question were of a decent frequency and the wait time to transfer was not excessive. Distance is not too bad - I figure myself or the employee would be able to do logwork etc on my/their laptop while sitting on the bus, at least off-peak where there is room to get the laptop out.

[Jeremy Harris]

Definitely CHECK with the IRD first..!