Hollard’s Hack the Gap tackles transport problems
PARKTOWN – Hollard's Hack the Gap campaign, in collaboration with Gibs and the Gauteng Department of Transport, aim to tackle Gauteng's transport problems.
Due to major transport problems in Gauteng, Hollard took the initiative to host Hack the Gap campaign where representatives from different institutions put their heads together and embarked on a think-a-thon to tackle the country’s transport problems and find viable solutions.
About 50 people were in attendance including delegates from Hollard who would think of ideas to solve transport problems.
Marius Oosthuizen, a Gibs faculty member and event facilitator, gave a clear description of what was expected of the delegates. They were split into three groups and were then given concise guidelines to work under.
“The three teams are meant to define the problem, articulate the problem statement, then come up with ways to solve the problem,” Oosthuizen elaborated.
He explained that they were to consider the stakeholders such as roads agencies, taxi associations and public and private transport institutions, examine the legal and regulatory environment and then look at structures and processes for action.
Sunday morning came and it was crunch time for the three teams, Team Regulator, The Blue Light Gang and Gap Optimax as they were each given 10 minutes to present their results. As they settled in, Oosthuizen asked the participants about experiences that stood out for them during the think-a-thon so far, and then a short competition was held with the winner receiving a Samsung TV.
The three teams presented their pieces in front of a panel of reviewers and experts who judged the presentations. The judges then took 15 minutes to deliberate.
It was time for the drum roll as the winner was announced as Gap Optimax. Their idea of fleet management solution had helped them bag the deal. This idea asserted that commuters should be able to optimise available transport assets, for instance, if there is a time when a bus runs empty on the road then there must be people filling up that bus or rather the bus should not be on the road at all.
“They won because of the good structure in presentation and they ticked all the required boxes,” Heidi Brauer, Hollard chief marketing officer and one of the judges said.
“A few things have to be considered going forward and we have already started talking to local government on how to articulate these ideas,” Warwick Bloom, Hollard head of communications and sponsorship said.
With presentations done and winners announced, all the participants and guests were treated to a delectable lunch and refreshments while they socialised. Hollard looks to host more events of this nature.
Details: Hollard, 086 100 0107
Do you have any innovative ideas on how to tackle transport challenges in Gauteng? Share your ideas by tweeting to us @RK_Gazette
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