ETA and status updates to customers in real-time

Purpose

1. Deliver real-time shuttle ETA and trip status notifications to passengers and coordinators.

2. Reduce manual communication by automating dispatch updates from shuttle GPS or scheduling systems.

3. Enhance customer satisfaction with timely, accurate information on shuttle arrivals, delays, and journey milestones.

4. Synchronize shuttle location, trip assignment, and incident alerts directly to customer-preferred communication channels.

Trigger Conditions

1. Shuttle assigned or dispatched event in fleet/booking platform.

2. ETA updated from GPS telematics device or driver mobile app.

3. Vehicle departure, arrival, or entry/exit at POI (Points of Interest).

4. Status update (e.g., delay, completed, cancelled) in dispatch or tracking system.

Platform Variants

1. Twilio SMS

• Feature/Setting: Programmable SMS API; Send dynamic ETA updates using REST endpoint.
  
• Sample: POST to https://api.twilio.com/2010-04-01/Accounts/{AccountSid}/Messages with personalized ETA message.
  

2. SendGrid

• Feature/Setting: Mail Send API; Configure dynamic email templates with ETA placeholders.
  
• Sample: POST to https://api.sendgrid.com/v3/mail/send with JSON including subject and ETA variables.
  

3. WhatsApp Business API

• Feature/Setting: /messages endpoint; Send real-time template messages with variables for status and time.
  
• Sample: POST structure with recipient phone and ETA variable.
  

4. Slack

• Feature/Setting: chat.postMessage API; Send channel or direct PM notifications for team updates.
  
• Sample: POST JSON to https://slack.com/api/chat.postMessage with attachment for trip data.
  

5. Microsoft Teams

• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhook; Push adaptive card with trip status and ETA details.
  
• Sample: POST to webhook URL with payload JSON.
  

6. Telegram Bot API

• Feature/Setting: sendMessage method; Automated chat ETA delivery to user IDs.
  
• Sample: HTTPS call to https://api.telegram.org/bot{token}/sendMessage.
  

7. Salesforce

• Feature/Setting: Process Builder + Messaging; Trigger SMS/email on field change in Shuttle__c object.
  
• Sample: On ETA__c update, send alert.
  

8. Zendesk

• Feature/Setting: Ticket Trigger Automation; Auto-email/chat customer with ETA on ticket/field update.
  
• Sample: Condition ETA field changes triggers outbound message.
  

9. HubSpot

• Feature/Setting: Workflows; Send automated email/SMS based on property change for shuttle status.
  
• Sample: Workflow if “Status” updated to “In Transit.”
  

10. Intercom

• Feature/Setting: Custom bots and operator; Push trip status to customer chat on event webhook.
  
• Sample: Event “ETA updated” fires auto message.
  

11. Pusher

• Feature/Setting: Channels API; Broadcast shuttle status to real-time web/mobile app subscribers.
  
• Sample: Trigger client event with JSON payload.
  

12. Onesignal

• Feature/Setting: Push Notification API; Targeted alerts to rider mobile apps with updated ETA.
  
• Sample: POST payload with segment and contents.
  

13. Firebase Cloud Messaging

• Feature/Setting: FCM send API; Deliver shuttle status as push notification to iOS/Android users.
  
• Sample: POST to https://fcm.googleapis.com/fcm/send with topic or token.
  

14. AWS SNS

• Feature/Setting: Publish API; Multi-channel SMS/email/push to topic subscribers.
  
• Sample: Publish JSON with ETA to topicArn.
  

15. Google Chat

• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhook; Deliver card message with ETA and status.
  
• Sample: POST webhook message card.
  

16. Webex Teams

• Feature/Setting: Messages API POST; Automated mention with journey status to customer or team Space.
  
• Sample: POST message with itinerary summary.
  

17. Mailgun

• Feature/Setting: Messages API; Dynamic email to riders on system event.
  
• Sample: POST to /v3/{domain}/messages with ETA template.
  

18. Zoho CRM

• Feature/Setting: Workflow; Auto-email/SMS to contact on Shuttle ETA field update.
  
• Sample: Workflow on “Estimated Arrival” property.
  

19. Freshdesk

• Feature/Setting: Automation + Scenario; Notify requester about trip status via email/SMS on custom field update.
  
• Sample: Automation on “Current ETA” triggers outbound.
  

20. Viber Business API

• Feature/Setting: Send_message; Broadcast trip update to user chat.
  
• Sample: POST JSON with ETA and vehicle info.
  

Benefits

1. Increases transparency and trust for passengers and stakeholders.

2. Reduces inbound calls or emails about shuttle location/status.

3. Enables proactive communication in case of delay, breakdown, or changes.

4. Can be adapted to multiple customer-preferred channels.

5. Streamlines dispatch workflow and enhances team coordination.