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Logo: Pret A Manger
Image of mobile payment for coffee within Zipabout

Pret and Oxford Bus retail trials

 Retail trials with Pret a Manger
Our pioneering technical Incentives trial put public transport at the heart of a post-pandemic economic recovery by integrating it directly with our high street retailers.

Our pioneering technical Incentives trial put public transport at the heart of a post-pandemic economic recovery by integrating it directly with our high street retailers.

In brief

In partnership with Pret a Manger, Oxford Bus and Eagle Eye, Zipabout developed a pilot programme which delivered tailored rewards to passengers through the bus information service provided by Oxfordshire County Council - Oxontime. Working with Eagle Eye’s AIR digital marketing platform, we were able to extend our unique personalised messaging platform to deliver secure digital vouchers to passengers directly within the existing Messenger-based Oxontime Connect service. Alongside real-time bus information, passengers were sent a QR code that could be redeemed at the end of their journey for a free Pret hot drink as a reward for choosing a specific bus service. No signup, no spam, no separate app. Wider national trials are now ongoing with other retailers.

The impact

The Zipabout platform matches real-time travel conditions with operator needs and retailer requirements to power sophisticated loyalty programmes or simple rewards to encourage behavioural change.

Messenger allows partners to build engaging experiences to connect with customers, without the expense of building, marketing and maintaining a separate app. As a trusted, innovative partner on our platform, Zipabout understand this benefit and have built a solution to connect retailers with transport operators across the UK. We’re impressed with the success they’ve achieved so far and support their efforts to scale their solution further within the UK and beyond.”

Ali Parr, Director of Platform Partnerships for EMEA, Facebook

We’re delighted to have been part of this trial. When restrictions are lifted, not only will the programme support the safe operation of public transport by providing unique personalised information to travellers, it will also encourage people back onto public transport so keeping our county moving.

Llewelyn Morgan, Head of Innovation at Oxfordshire County Council

Screenshots of the Zipabout platform for Oxontime