Philippine city tests 2 e-trains for call center agents

Philippine city tests 2 e-trains for call center agents

Faith Ocampo Published on November 14, 2016

electric train running on high tracks

Cebu City, one of the top outsourcing hubs in the Philippines, will be pilot-testing two electric trains as a transportation mode for call center agents.

Philippine call center agents in Cebu City will soon be able to ride two e-trains when going to and from work. This initiative is part of the city government’s transportation program for those working in its business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

According to Joel Mari Yu, point person for Cebu’s business and economic development, this is one way to supply the transport needs of BPO employees. There are currently 160,000 contact center representatives in the area, employed by 349 companies. A study by real estate firm Cebu Holdings Inc. found that per 8,000 workers in the city, 3,480 use public transport modes to travel between their homes and offices.

purple handle on electric train handrail

In a meeting with the outsourcing and IT sectors last week, Yu said that they are currently studying the project and its aspects. This would include the space they’d need for the trains and how they would be maneuvered. Drivers will undergo free driving and maintenance training.

The e-trains, which were provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has five detachable coaches, each of which can carry 60 passengers. DOST is sending only three coaches for the project’s testing stage. They’re planning to increase this number depending on the test results, which will be available after one year.

“The test will run for a year. As for the routes, we’re coordinating with the BPO industry as to where the best demand needed for the system is,” Cebu City Transportation Office head Atty. Rafael Christopher Yap said.

The CCTO is not planning to impose fares for the bus rides yet. The Cebu City government is planning to market the technology to private firms who are interested in building, running, and enhancing the e-trains.

Cebu City’s BPO sector

Next to Metro Manila, Cebu City is the second most preferred outsourcing destinations in the Philippines. Globally, it ranks 7th out of 100 offshoring hubs, according to consulting firm Tholons. Cebu is widely recognized as the education center in Central and Southern Philippines. This lets them produce and sustain a large talent pool for the city’s information technology-business process management segment. Currently, this region provides a mix of services including software development, knowledge services, customer support, and others.

Faith is a digital media enthusiast aiming to become an active part of the tech world by sharing her insights. She likes to blog about everything digimarketing, technology, and social media.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO1 day ago
Meet the diverse superheroes of our #ContactCenter team! From analytical minds to empathetic listeners, we've got it all.

Swipe through to see the incredible personalities, working styles, and motivators that make our customer service shine!

----------
Our #recruitment & training strategies are designed to get the best reps for your brand.
Oursource with us today: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO1 day ago
#CallCenters need to build a consistent and memorable #CustomerExperience covering all channels, both digital and non-digital. You need a high-performing #multichannel team that can successfully implement your #CustomerService strategy.

Here's how: https://buff.ly/3qvoHui

----------
Let us create the multichannel program and team for your brand: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage`
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO2 days ago
Among other benefits, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 monitors and reviews user-generated content to:
• ensure the safety of customers;
• combat spam and potential scams;
• prevent misinformation and fake news;
• boost user experience; and
• cultivate an inclusive community.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀?
Explore the fascinating types of #ContentModeration shaping the digital landscape: https://buff.ly/3WR5rn5

----------
Work with our content experts to build a community where everyone feels heard and protected: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO3 days ago
Preventing your customers from leaving your brand may not be as easy as it sounds, but here are 5 tips your outsourced #CallCenter's customer retention team must consider: https://buff.ly/3Nem7Sb

----------
Ensure brand loyalty with Open Access BPO's high-quality #CustomerSupport. Contact us today: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerRetention
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO3 days ago
#CallCenter Team Leaders drive progress and ensure top-notch service for your brand's customers.

Want to unlock the secrets to becoming an extraordinary leader for your team?
Here are the 5 biggest enemies of great leadership, along with a few tips on how to be a good leader: https://buff.ly/45LagCr

----------
Partner with Open Access BPO. We have great call center agents and team leaders to guarantee your brand's growth: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO1 week ago
To build a truly customer-centric organization, your #CustomerExperience team must be highly emotionally intelligent.

Here are the 5 advantages of cultivating #EmotionalIntelligence among your #CallCenter staff: https://buff.ly/43uHbcu

----------
Connect with an #outsourcing firm that can deeply connect with your customers: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CX #CustomerSupport
Open Access BPO