Airport Shuttle Tracker: Opt-In Now for Q3 Deployment
As part of Marriott’s digital strategy to drive engagement and enhance the travel experience, the new Airport Shuttle Tracker program allows members to view real-time shuttle locations and wait times using the Marriott Bonvoy app. Currently being piloted in two markets, we are preparing to kick-off broader deployment of the Airport Shuttle Tracker in Q3 as an optional program for airport hotels in North America.
Members staying at participating hotels receive a push notification on the day of arrival and will be able to view real-time shuttle locations and wait times in the Marriott Bonvoy app. This new feature will allow guests to better plan their transportation to and from the hotel, while hotels will benefit from reduced shuttle-related phone calls and a more seamless guest arrival experience.
The Airport Shuttle Tracker is enabled via a partnership with a third-party vendor, Ride Systems, Inc. To activate shuttle tracking, hotels must install a provided GPS device in each shuttle and provide information on stop locations which will be used for a guest-facing route map, viewable through the Marriott Bonvoy app. The GPS device will be drop shipped to hotels that opt-in, with instructions for set up.
Deployment Overview and Eligibility:
Currently, the Airport Shuttle Tracker is only available for hotels that operate fixed-route, complimentary shuttles to and from an airport. All Managed by Marriott (MxM) and franchise hotels in the U.S. and Canada that offer fixed-route complimentary airport shuttle service are eligible to opt-in. Hotels with non-airport shuttles are not eligible to participate at this time but will be considered for future deployments.
As an optional program, eligible hotels must opt-in to participate. Although this is an optional program, we intend to make this a brand standard in the future for airport hotels offering complimentary shuttle service.
Deployment will begin in Q3, with the first wave of hotels expected to kick-off in August and go-live in November. Subsequent deployment waves will be planned in Q4 2019 and Q1 2020, as needed, based on the volume of hotels that opt-in.
Costs:
The Airport Shuttle Tracker provides hotels with a cost-effective way to keep their guests informed about shuttle location and wait times. For shuttles that are shared by multiple hotels, the service is even more affordable, as the one-time and ongoing costs can be split across multiple hotels.
Airport Shuttle Tracker will be included in 2020 budget instructions, with one-time and ongoing costs as outlined below:
One-time costs:
- Initial setup fee: $500 (per hotel)
- GPS device: $250 (per vehicle)
Ongoing costs:
- Ongoing service cost: $95/month (per hotel)
- Ongoing vehicle cost: $45/month (per vehicle)
Opting In
To opt-in, hotels must complete the Shuttle Tracker Opt-In form by August 2 to be included in the 2019 deployment. Following opt-in, hotels GMs will be contacted via email, asked to select a Property Coach and will be provided with a Land-It task list to complete steps to implement.
A digital shuttle tracking service will enable good travel to be made easy for our guests and foster a seamless guest arrival experience.
Should you have any questions regarding Airport Shuttle Tracker, visit the Airport Shuttle Tracker MGS page or email mobileservices@marriott.com.
