ABELLIO UK
Yet Davies emphasised that the trajectory of a company ’ s digitalisation depends on its situation . He pointed out that many transport companies are legacy companies with many manual processes . “ It ’ s all too easy ”, he reminded us , “ to think , ‘ Oh , I ’ ll plan out this wonderful digital transformation that ’ ll include predictive and prescriptive analytics because that ’ s the future ’. But if you don ’ t have your level one descriptive reporting in place , how are you ever going to make those changes ?”
After all , as the pandemic has taught us , entire companies , countries , and cultures can change in a matter of months . “ Start small , but keep going ”, Davies advised . In 2020 , new pandemic regulations meant that Abellio had to adjust rapidly — often on a weekly basis . “ What was really important for us ”, Davies said , “ was quickly developing schedules that reported when buses were running , how frequently they arrived , and when we needed drivers ”.
When asked how he thinks digitalisation will impact Abellio , Davies immediately focused on digital transport tracking . “ We want to have buses that are well-connected not only to enable passengers to understand that they don ’ t have to wait outside in the cold or the rain at the bus stop ”, he said , “ but also for operators to be able to maintain our vehicles at topnotch quality ”.
Post-pandemic , Davies thinks we ’ ll maintain contactless payments and move towards a cashless society , but that working from home will eventually transition to a hybrid solution : part-time in-office , part-time remote . “ I still think it ’ s critically important that individuals get to spend time face-toface ”, he said . “ Those micro-conversations that you find in offices are really where the inspiration for ideas comes from ”.
“ Finance is always part of transformation . Finance is always looking at making things better and creating change ”
GRAHAM DAVIES HEAD OF TRANSFORMATION AT ABELLIO UK
180 July 2021