Man, and transportation have been inseparable, since time immemorial. The need to move from one place to another, in search of greener pastures or social connections has been prevalent in society, and that has not changed. Today, there are several ways to get around, be it rail, road, air or sea, these were all foreign concepts in earlier times, as the oldest form of transportation is the human locomotive abilities, using the legs and endurance as its main machine. Thanks to technology, one does not have to trek for days from Aba to Umuahia in search of trade.

The travel industry has notably made social connections faster and easier, and the industry is continuously seeking ways to optimise its services, as technology continues to advance. Transportation can be said to be one of the major drivers of a productive economy, alongside electricity. Not only does the transportation industry help people move from point A to point B, but the transport industry is also responsible for creating jobs, it is even sometimes referred to as the biggest employment generator in Nigeria. As productive and innovative as the transport industry is also perceived to be, this industry just like every other industry has its peculiar challenges.

Challenges Faced in the Transport Industry

As much as transportation has improved, it is not at its peak yet, there is always room for improvement. Below are a few challenges facing the Nigerian transport industry

• Poor road infrastructure: transportation by road is the most popular form of transportation in the country, this means that there is always a lot of activity on our highways. The state of the roads makes it difficult for road transport workers to navigate and arrive at their destinations safely and on time. This also leads to the early breaking down of vehicles, which most times prove to be a financial burden.
• Insecurity: this is another big issue troubling the travel/ transportation industry in Nigeria. The present insecurity does not guarantee the safety of road transport workers, as lives and properties have been lost over time due to the lack of security on the highways. 
• The rise in the cost of fuel; This is another major issue plaguing the travel/ transportation industry in Nigeria. The rise in the price of fuel which is, by the way, a basic component in the transportation business, is proving to be a huge inconvenience. This hike has increased the cost of transportation and has also put small/ medium scale transport workers out of business, because of their inability to meet up, creating a transportation deficit in the country.
• Delays: some unforeseen circumstances result in delay. Circumstances such as traffic congestion, multiple checkpoints, construction, poor road network, etc. These delays can lead to transport or logistics businesses losing money, as time is literally money in this industry. Also, these types of delays can also lead to poor customer/ passenger relations, as an angry and grumpy passenger is not the easiest to deal with. 
• Lack of Skilled Personnel; given the economic state of the country, most people are underemployed, therefore, they go into the transportation business as a side hustle whether they are qualified to do so or not. This is a big issue. It is not out of place to say that this issue has definitely affected the rate of accidents on the roads. 
• Technology: technology can be both a blessing and a curse simultaneously. With technology constantly improving, keeping up is a problem in the transport industry., as transport workers are expected to improve their craft. Digital requirements continue to evolve at the speed of light, giving the industry little time to understand or even take advantage of them. Not only does it become hard to keep up, but as a result of technology, customers' expectations are changing. With how accessible information has become, clients/ customers expect the industry to keep them informed 24/7, this can be extremely tasking.

5 Ways the Transport Industry Can Benefit from Using SMS

SMS is an effective messaging option that has a 98 % success rate. Given how successful it has become over the years, it is an option that most companies, organisations, industries or even people tend to explore and use to their benefit. Communication drives all social endeavour, this is why it is very important in day-to-day life. Effective communication reduces delay, and stress, and guarantees lasting relationships. Is communication important in the transportation business? Of course, it is. Here are a few ways that the travel/ transport industry benefits from SMS.

• Communication with the internal public: every organisation needs communication to succeed. The management has to make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to organisation policies, updates, improvements, etc. The travel/ transportation industry can use SMS as a means to keep its internal public updated, not only on information regarding the company’s policy but on matters revolving around safety policies or practices. SMS can be used to provide continuous safety information to employees.
• Avert Travel Delays; given that delays, when travelling does not in any way, make travellers happy, it is important for transport and travel companies to devise a means to avoid delay at all cost. This is where SMS comes in. SMS can be used as a means to avoid travel delays. Travel/ transportation companies can use SMS to send alerts or messages regarding delays or cancellations to their clients/passengers, this way the level of delay can be reduced and passengers would surely be happier. Since the world is information-driven, sharing timely information with passengers would go a long way in averting unnecessary delays and keeping them relaxed, thus giving them a wonderful travel experience.
• PR/ customer Retention; the travel/ transportation industry can use SMS as a PR tool, or even a marketing tool. This means that they can use SMS to foster the relationship between the company and the clients. Messages that seek to know about the well-being of their customers can be sent using SMS. Not only does this help retain customers, but it can also go a long way in building brand loyalty, thus increasing referrals and ultimately patronage. Constant communication with one's customers makes for a stronger relationship. SMS revolving around season/ holiday greetings, birthday wishes, etc would suffice. Also, in the case of marketing SMS can be used to send out discounts and the likes to customers.
•  Reduce the margin of error; with the use of SMS, travel/ transportation companies can reduce human errors in general. It must be hard to keep up with departure time, arrival time, ticketing and booking, but with the use of SMS, passengers can be up to date with their travel arrangements, leaving little room for error. This would go a long way in reducing the burden on staff, as SMS would serve as a reminder to the said customers. A voice call could also be used in this situation, but is it as effective? Seeing that a text has a higher success rate, and is less likely to irritate customers by interrupting their day, it is the best method to approach this issue. 
• Driver/ Employees welfare and safety; the safety of your employees, is as important as the safety of your passengers. SMS can be used as a tool to not necessarily guarantee, but improve the safety of drivers and employees of travel/ transportation companies. Since SMS is a quick and easy means of communication, it can be used as a tool to send and receive regular status reports from drivers and other road workers. In the case of accidents, damages, repairs, SMS can be used to stay in touch with the agency. Using the automated text system, travel/ transportation companies can send SMS at intervals to their drivers to check on them, this would go a long way in ensuring the safety of drivers and transportation workers in general. 

Seeing that this industry relies heavily on communication, the benefit of SMS to the travel/ transportation industry cannot be overstated, hence its use. As the industry continues to evolve, SMS is a great way to stay updated and informed, since it is a successful means of communication. A good number of companies in the industry are already benefiting from the use of SMS as a communication tool. Are you a travel/ transportation company that is a bit late on the trend? Do you want to incorporate the use of SMS in your day-to-day operations, but don’t know how? don’t worry SmartSMSSolutions has got you covered. Visit SmartSMSSolutions.com to learn more. 

SmartSMSSolutions is a communication company, aimed at improving the relationship between our client businesses and their audience, using simple communication tools, such as SMS, voice call, Email, etc. With years of experience, we can take your business to the next level. Are you ready to move one step higher in your business endeavor? Visit our website @ SmartSMSSolutions.com to create a free account and get started or call 08035515868.