Devin de Vries

Building something new.

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

If you use public transport in London, you might have to mind a physical gap, but there won’t be a data gap.

In emerging markets, that data gap is a very real challenge.

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly helping us overcome it at @mytransport

Here's how 👇🏽

🧵

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

TL;DR:

Today, people like conveying information by voice.

That’s especially the case in emerging markets.

If you’re developing a consumer product and you want to meet your users where they are, there’s no better way in 2023 than literally giving them a voice.

🎙️📣📲

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

🎙️ It’s 2023 and voice has truly entered a new era.

There’s things we can all do now that are fundamentally different to what we could do just 18 months ago.

And, in tech, it's a huge opportunity to give people a voice.

🧵⤵️

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

@mytransport @RumboApp 📨 When a Rumbo user submits a report as a voice note, it is automatically transcribed.

🤔 We moderate the information to establish its accuracy.

✅ All good? We make updates to our underlying data assets.

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

A transport revolution is needed to curb the climate crisis, and electrification alone is not enough.

A data-driven approach can make a massive impact with almost no cost, and we can start today.

Jump to page 10 to read my recommendations in EME Outlook Magazine 👇🏽

[WhereIsMyTransport @mytransport]

We recently set out to add some character to Lima's mundane public transport payment cards, partnering with a local designer and giving away 5,000 stickers. The response was overwhelming! 🤯 Limeños loved our stickers and thousand of commuters downloaded Rumbo for the first time.

[WhereIsMyTransport @mytransport]

Did you know that the transport sector is responsible for 37% of global emissions? As we look ahead to a more sustainable future, it's crystal clear that transport plays a crucial role. Our CEO @devindevries shares his view in @eme_outlook magazine: https://t.co/21KFjWpTKj

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

All this is why I am so pleased to see a new feature go live in @mytransport's public transport app @RumboApp:

Users can now report their journey disruptions with voice notes! 🎤🎉

You can find out more about Rumbo right here: https://t.co/PIgXmYCH4a

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

For the last few years, I’ve mostly lived in ‘developed' cities. One thing I’ve noticed?

My friends here complain about my habit of sending voice notes!

But in emerging markets, wherever you look, you'll see people sending voice notes. They are part of life.

But why?

⬇️🧵

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

😍 Emotional accuracy

This applies wherever you are in the world!

Voice notes convey far more emotional context than a written message ever can.

[WhereIsMyTransport @mytransport]

🎉 Big news! We've made commuting easier and more rewarding with our new Rumbo updates! 🚍🌎

Rumbo is our Android app that’s improving public transport experiences across the Majority World—starting with Mexico City, Lima, and Bangkok.

Here’s what's new ⤵️

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

🤔 And, as Waze co-founder Uri Levine once said, fall in love with the problem you’re trying to solve, not the solution. When you love the problem, you can be flexible about the solution.

Read my full interview in the digital magazine here ⤵️ https://t.co/49KdUA1L3C

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

If you commuted for five hours every day, how would you feel to get 10 minutes back?

I was thrilled to be asked to speak to @TLImagazine about how @mytransport is improving people’s public transport experiences across the Majority World.

🚐📲🚀

[Transportation & Logistics International @TLImagazine]

Our May issue is out!

⭐ Spotlighting Devin de Vries @mytransport solving the uncertain commute times
⭐ Virtual Modeling and data-driven #decarbonization with industry experts at @flexport & @ZeroNorth0
⭐ Insights on skills, freight, and distribution

https://t.co/OsAEWnVgMe

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

What I covered:

📲 Most New Internet Users are in emerging markets. They’re the largest untapped reservoir of consumers on the planet.

🔎 When building something, start with research. Get to know your markets and your audience. It’s not a time drag—the opposite in fact.

[WhereIsMyTransport @mytransport]

Naomi Grant, Head of Research @mytransport, will be at the @uitpsummit in June, speaking about how social and user research can decode the experiences, preferences, and behaviours of public transport users in emerging markets. Will we see you there? ➡️ https://t.co/iuP4IMencf

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

At @mytransport we see remote as a positive:

🔎 Easier to find talent
💫 Quality of life benefits
🧮 Efficient, learner org

...with challenges!

📵 Not everything is asyncable
💡 Highly creative tasks are harder

But there’s a lot businesses can do to work around challenges🚀

[Amy Lewin @amyrlewin]

NEW: TravelPerk, the Spanish business travel unicorn, is facing a "mini revolt" from employees after the company announced they must return to the Barcelona office at least three days a week.

@AnnaLouiseFreem

https://t.co/gv5uyjUNWl

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

The conditions for getting public transport data to commuters have never been better—billions of people who can benefit from access to reliable information 📲🚐

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

Something I’ve learnt since founding @mytransport: every emerging-market region has at least three things in common

Get them all right and the scale of the opportunity is giant.

🧵🚐⤵️

[Devin de Vries @devindevries]

2️⃣ Though most people still earn less than $20 a day, across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, incomes are rising and there’s a booming middle class.

3️⃣ Smartphone ownership is on the rise, expected to climb—in some emerging markets—to over 80% of people in the near future.