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Public transportation and messenger apps: How to use instant messaging to modernize your communication

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In this article:

  1. Why public transportation companies should rely on messenger apps
  2. Best practice: How transportation companies use messenger apps successfully 
    1. Mumbai Metro: Selling e-tickets through WhatsApp
    2. Calcutta Tramways: Growing brand loyalty through Instagram Direct 
    3. Tfl London: Faster service with a Facebook Messenger chatbot
    4. MTA: Reaching more New Yorkers in real time with WhatsApp
  3. How public transportation companies can use messenger apps in a legally compliant manner
  4. Easy integration, less work, and no lengthy training: Here's how to best integrate messaging apps

From flexibility to climate protection: public transportation improves the quality of life. However, unlike "cool" mobility offers such as ride sharing or e-scooter rentals, mass transit systems often have a dusty reputation. Messaging apps can change that! Find out how transportation companies can benefit from WhatsApp and other messenger apps and offer a more modern service. 

Modern transportation means that passengers take the subway to the airport, call a ride sharing service to get to their hotel, and rent a bike to explore the city. Of course, many of these offers are provided by public transportation companies.

Public transit companies offer a variety of helpful and affordable transportation services, from airport shuttles to bike sharing, and modern technology around these services. The problem is: people don't necessarily know that. Unfortunately, many customers still think of public transportation as an outdated service.  

So, how can public transportation companies make sure that passengers are aware of their offers and modernize their image? By using messenger apps!

In this guide, we'll show you exactly how this works, how public transportation companies benefit from messengers, and how companies around the world use instant messaging for a more modern communication. 

Why public transportation companies should rely on messenger apps

If transportation companies want to get rid of their dusty reputation and draw customers' attention to their modern services, they need to communicate this on the most popular communication channels: messenger apps! 

Internet-based messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger are hugely popular in people's private communication. They're convenient, easy to use, and have a lot of fun multimedia option. Customers have come to expect this type of communication with businesses as well. 

Meeting your customers on the platforms they love is also beneficial to your business! 

Whereas people ignore messages in their e-mail inbox (e-mail overload), and don't see your posts on social media (algorithms at work), you'll get 100% attention on messaging channels, such as Wha