Since my email of March 13, the COVID-19 situation has evolved rapidly. Around the world, public transport operators and your staff are in the front lines, working tirelessly to keep essential services running. Our first thought is for the wellbeing of your staff and stakeholders, and I speak for all at GIRO in expressing our admiration and gratitude for your efforts in this time of crisis.
I wanted to update you on how GIRO is ensuring our continued support for you as the pandemic unfolds.
Helping you meet your challenges
We remain fully operational. All our staff have now been working from home for three weeks. There has been no effect on our ability to continue supporting your successful implementation and use of HASTUS. All our employees continue to perform their usual functions and we are committed to providing the best possible service. Of course, the current circumstances do not allow us to travel to meet our clients or partners in person or to welcome you to our offices. In all other respects, we are continuing business as usual. We have taken two initiatives that have already been communicated by our team.
The first is to set up an email hotline for your questions on handling scheduling and operations challenges from the pandemic with HASTUS. Using this address will ensure that the appropriate GIRO resources are assigned to assist you: supportCOVID19@giro.ca
The second is an article on our website with a series of videos showing how to implement contingency plans using HASTUS.
Cancellation of HASTUS User Group meetings
Sharing HASTUS knowledge and expertise with the HASTUS user community has always been a priority for us. It has been a difficult decision to take, but the COVID-19 crisis leaves us no option but to cancel this year’s HASTUS International and Australasian User Group meetings. It is too soon to say what alternative forms of knowledge exchange might be available during the pandemic, but we will keep you informed of any developments.
Moving ahead
Many of you have been in touch to ask our help with your challenges, and to let us know the ways in which you have been adapting to meet them. Thank you. Our teams will stay in contact to provide our continued support and keep up to date with your situation.
We remain committed to doing everything we can to minimize the impacts of the COVID-19 emergency on your HASTUS projects. Please check our website regularly for updates.
Sincerely,
Jean Aubin
President and CEO