Metro Magazine, February 2020

GoPegasus stop shop for travel destination and prides itself on providing the best deals for domestic and international clients while also providing stress free travel experiences ONLY LIVE VOICES ALLOWED Boasting a fleet that includes 30 motorcoaches with amenities like free 4G Wi Fi and audio visual technology GoPegasus clients are mainly groups in the areas of tour operators schools corporations seniors and free independent travelers FIT both foreign and domestic We have three departments that serve our leisure conventions and meeting planners and sports customers which make up about 70 of our annual business We also generate our own business on a day to day basis Menezes says We believe that this diversification really sets us apart from the competition in the area and there is a lot of it here in Orlando The operation has also grown to include over 80 employees who are trained to deliver the best quality customer service For example all phone calls are answered by a live voice with the company emphasizing that there are no answering machines anywhere throughout their offices The company also has a multilingual staff with some of its sales team and drivers onboard able to speak English Spanish Portuguese and German CLIENT PACKAGES SERVICE SOFTWARE Staying ahead of the curve the company recently introduced a web platform called Pegasus Marketplace which allows international clients and travel agents who work specifically with FIT to have the same all inclusive experience as group travelers do Pegasus Marketplace allows the operations clients to find and reserve pre built packages or compare hotel rates Pegasus Marketplace also shows attraction prices and itineraries giving groups the opportunity to build their own packages for their customers if they prefer The system allows GoPegasus to have a faster and more efficient response for these types of requests Since the launch of the Pegasus Marketplace the company has experienced an increase in sales and client satisfaction while also providing another revenue stream for GoPegasus which continues to grow The team at GoPegasus also created a software system that improves internal processes as well as the clients experience dubbed W I N G S web integrated network group services Available on mobile devices W I N G S allows GoPegasus clients to track their services and transportation in real time to make modifications or additions to existing reservations and conduct boarding checks and view dining reservations and hotel accommodations The system also helps tour operators who work with student travel groups to remain calm since it allows them to make room changes change seats and count the number of students getting back on the bus all from a handheld device W I N G S has also improved the efficiency of internal processes allowing GoPegasus to find all client information quickly in one window The program not only integrates the sales information and processes but also combines the work of all departments allowing better communication and making it easier for everyone within the organization to know what is going on with their group at all times while also offering a broader view of the operation We find it important to invest in technology and over the course of about two years built the W I N G S management platform from scratch which today is really the backbone of our operation Menezes explains Now we are in the process of refining the system to include our parts and maintenance operations That is the only thing missing from the system and we will soon be adding the capabilities to either track the maintenance of the motorcoaches or our parts inventory PRACTICE AIRPLANE MAINTENANCE Traveling more than one million miles while carrying 100000 plus passengers per year GoPegasus boasts incident free travel each and every year Menezes credits her operations safety in part to its maintenance team who are on staff and available 24 hours a day It sets us apart in the industry to have our own maintenance but in addition to that we practice what we call airplane maintenance where we replace the part based on the lifecycle established by the manufacturer whether its good or bad she says This preventive maintenance practice we believe is a big reason that we have a very low rate for both parts failures and breakdowns Menezes adds that the companys year round training program keeps drivers up to date throughout the year versus providing once a year refreshers She also says the company does all it can to take the guesswork out of driving for the company An example of something we do is that we always include a hard copy of the itinerary and directions for each trip in case something were to happen like the GPS isnt working or they drop and break their phone for instance she says We also work with our clients to get any of their questions answered ahead of their trip so the drivers can just concentrate on what they need to do which is get our customers to and from their destinations safely BOY SCOUTS AND SANTA CLAUS The last key piece to GoPegasus is the companys focus on philanthropy and volunteerism in the communities they serve in Central Florida I think its important not only in the motorcoach industry but for all businesses to be actively involved in the communities they work and live in Menezes says Through those interactions is how the community can begin to fall in love with your business and opens the door to form great partnerships Some of the local charities and groups GoPegasus has forged partnerships with include SYTAs Student Youth Foundation the Boy Scouts of America and Ronald McDonald House Charities In fact for several years around 500 children from Orange Countys Head Start program have been able to enjoy breakfast and meet Santa Claus at the Hard Rock Cafe because GoPegasus provided the transportation for free Were not the largest company so we cant always support charities and organizations with a financial donation Menezes explains But we have equipment so we can volunteer that equipment to help move people safely and efficiently which ends up being a win win situation for all involved AWARD WINNER GoPegasus was named METRO Magazines Innovative Operator of the Year at the 2020 American Bus Association Marketplace held in Omaha Neb 29 FEBRUARY MARCH 2020 METRO MAGAZINE COM