Technology is everywhere. In this day and age, it’s almost ironic how those who drive us to our destinations remain stuck at the starting point. While bus operators survive on pens and paper for now, things might not be the same soon. That’s where the inevitability of technology comes crashing in. Louis Bookoff joins us in this episode of The Future of Ground Transportation Podcast. As the co-founder and CEO of Busie, he shares the crucial role of tech in improving bus operations, customer experience, and business sustainability. Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation: Most bus operators have outdated technology Modern tech can help operators function 24/7 Customers are willing to pay more for convenience Tech is crucial for sustainability Experience goes beyond transportation itself Episode Highlights: [03:15] The Outdated Technology Of Bus Companies Louis saw a common trend among bus companies in the country — their technologies are outdated. It always took quite some time to process bookings. It was significantly different from securing airline and hotel reservations. This led to the founding of Busie. [14:59] Breaking Free From The 9-5 Constraint Busie has pre-booking and full automation processes. They help operators become 24/7 businesses. They don’t have to worry about the constraint of 9-5 schedules for people in the office. The tech lets customers make their reservations at any time and day. [29:34] Sustainability For Bus Operators Louis knows many operators are comfortable with using pens, papers, and calculators. But going forward, he believes technology will be crucial for the sustainability of these companies. Going modern is simply inevitable. [30:35] Experience Beyond The Transportation Bus operators place a premium on experience but often focus only on the transportation aspect. Louis highlights that the best experience includes operators’ entire interactions with customers. It begins with booking all the way to their post-trip conversations. Notable Quotes: [02:04] “We’re in the day and age where everything’s at our fingertips.” [07:18] “And really, our goal was to build side-by-side with operators from the get-go.” [28:41] “In this industry, it's about building trust, about those relationships, and continuing to show up and provide value to operators.” [39:40] “We all make mistakes, but if you practice this lens of empathy and kindness, I think it's going to take everybody really far.” Resources Mentioned: The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz Busie About the Guest Louis Bookoff is the co-founder and CEO of Busie, a revolutionary cloud-based online charter quoting and booking software platform. He co-founded it to improve the experience of bus operators and customers alike. Connect with Louis on  LinkedIn or his email.