
Accelerating innovation that encourages the safe return of customers to the Sydney CBD
Businesses in Sydney have been impacted by coronavirus restrictions and resulting in changes to customer behaviour.
As the pandemic took hold in March 2020, travel behaviours immediately shifted as workers remained at home and businesses dealt with the loss of workers, tourists and international students.
The NSW Government and Local Councils are now encouraging people to return to the city in a COVID Safe manner, to boost economic activity and support businesses to thrive.
Confidence is already increasing. But even after long periods of low-to-no community transmission in NSW, the city is no longer seen as a place for work and the return of workers to offices remains slow.
In October 2020 the Transport Digital Accelerator conducted customer research. It was aimed at understanding the behaviours and needs that affect customers decisions and actions when planning to travel and attend destinations in the Sydney CBD. These insights, combined with existing research, informed this challenge.
If people are not coming into the CBD for work, how might we create new experiences that redefine what the CBD is and who it is for? Our research with customers uncovered opportunities to redefine the city experience, and create new ways of exploring the city for leisure and entertainment,
Sydney-siders want connected and unique experiences that redefine the way they interact with the city. | How might we create unique and connected experiences that recreate the ‘wonder’ of travel? |
Venues and city destinations are looking for sustainable and user-friendly ways to attract customers and serve them safely. | How might we safely attract customers back to city destinations and optimise patronage? |
This challenge includes, COVID Safe Summer and The New Normal . Applications must be made by eTender though note the objectives, problem space, and evaluation criteria for both the COVID Safe Summer and The New Normal are the same
The City Revitalisation Innovation Challenge will accelerate innovation and technology solutions that;
Transport for NSW is looking to accelerate projects that invent new creative ways of activating the city streets, venues and destinations in a safe way, and connected by technology. We want to see ideas that could measurably increase visitation and economic activity in the Sydney CBD.
We are keen to partner with disruptive tech startups and organisations who can creatively deliver new experiences. Fast.
One focus is around how we capture relevant and timely information. For customers, visibility of capacity at venues at destinations can support planning (with physical distancing in mind) before even leaving the house. And it can also help to connect experiences when exploring the city.
The other focus is creating unique and connected experiences. We want to attract customers by instilling a sense of wonder in the Sydney CBD. Foreign, new, and inclusive activities, events and festivals could make the CBD attractive for those who are genuinely missing overseas adventures and activities. We are also interested in opportunities with public or underutilised office space that could re reimagined.
Your approach might consider how to obtain this information and optimise the experience for customers, venues and destinations in the Sydney CBD. Our preference is that you come to us with data and a way to make a solution usable for customer. If you need access to data and information, consider partnering with another organisation.
Respondents should also note that any organisation wishing to do business with TfNSW will need to comply with the NSW Government’s mandatory ICT contracting Framework and be registered on the ICT Services Scheme.
For further details please refer to https://buy.nsw.gov.au/schemes/ict-services-scheme
The following solution areas are a starting point only - most of which we identified as opportunities through horizon scanning. But, you are only limited by your imagination.
Creating seamless experiences by using capacity data to connect customers with nearby ‘next best’ options.
Prompting behaviour change to encourage customers to adhere to physical distancing protocols.
Tracking real-time capacity of venues and destinations to support customers planning.
The Innovation Challenge will be open to respondents in two stages. You may enter into both stages, however your solution or idea must be different. The best applications will be tailored to clearly address the problem statement. Following and referring to this page will maximise your chances of success.
This is a valuable way to raise your profile with Transport NSW and NSW Government, and support the revitalisation and recovery of the Sydney CBD.
You!
Winners of our last Innovation Challenge included a startup at MVP stage and an ASX-listed company. The Digital Accelerator is keen for anyone with a great idea to apply.
Again, the Transport Digital Accelerator is agnostic to the size and industry of applicants. The best applicants will have the capability of delivering a solution, combined with a thorough understanding of the problem area.
If you have a solution aligned to the Revitalisation Innovation Challenge project’s objectives and goals, and are looking to make it a reality quickly, this is for you.
The Digital Accelerator encourages applications from women-owned businesses, startups, and ATSIC businesses as much as we do any other. All applications will be assessed on the evaluation criteria.
Before contracting, all suppliers will be required to confirm the NSW Government’s ICT Services Scheme and be registered as a ‘Base Supplier’. The Digital Accelerator will provide more details on this, where relevant.
The opportunity to revitalise the Sydney CBD.
Above anything, you have the very real opportunity to create something scalable that makes the lives of everyone in Sydney better.
To achieve that, we have a suite of support that includes seed funding, access to industry partners and mentors, assets and data existing in Transport for NSW and potentially other agencies, SME advice, and more.