CUSTOMER CASE STUDY

By Sale Mangarero, State Safety Officer at Roberts Hawaii

Roberts Hawaii is a fleet like no other. Like a Swiss army knife, our fleet serves multiple industries under one roof, and we’re built for just about anything a day has in store for us.

We operate public transit, school buses, vans, airport shuttles, and large motor coaches across four Hawaiian islands. From 15-passenger vans to 45-foot-long tour buses, we move thousands of people daily and are uncompromising about safety. Whether it’s school children, tourists, or commuters, people trust us to get them to their destinations safely.

A tech stack with limited visibility

Prioritizing safety was challenging with our previous mix of disconnected technologies. We relied on multiple systems for tracking, cameras, and driver scoring, but none provided the reliable, real-time information we needed.

Equipment failures, limited support, and inaccurate safety data made it difficult to build trust with drivers. We also lacked clear visibility into critical on-road activity, including following distances, unsafe behaviors, and false incident claims.

It became clear that we needed a best-in-class, AI-powered dash cam solution for our entire fleet.

Finding a unified, cohesive system for our fleet

As we began looking for a new solution, it was clear that a patchwork of separate tools wasn’t enough to keep our fleet safe and efficient. We needed a single, all-in-one platform that could provide real-time visibility, simplify daily operations, and support proactive safety management.

Over the next two years, we tried several different systems to see which could meet our needs. We tested how easy each platform was to install across our diverse fleet, assessed the durability and reliability of the dash cameras in real-world conditions, and reviewed the user interfaces to ensure they were intuitive and practical for our team to use every day. Through this process, we focused on finding a solution that could scale with our operations while improving safety and accountability across all vehicles.

Motive stood out. Their team was upfront and honest, without a hard sales push. Their dashboard was easy to use and their system was flexible. Unlike other vendors who tried to fit us into their mold, Motive was willing to build a program that met the needs of our mixed fleet. When we asked about Motive AI Omnicam support for school bus stop signs, Motive brought us into the development process. It wasn’t just a check in the box; they used our feedback to shape the feature. That kind of collaboration proved how committed they are to building with their customers, not just for them.

A smooth rollout led to immediate visibility

Installing Motive AI Dashcams and AI Omnicams was even faster and easier than I’d hoped. It turned into a friendly competition between islands to see who could install the fastest. In the end, once Motive was in place, we all won.

We gained granular visibility across our fleet as soon as the dash cams went live. We’d had some cameras before, but nothing like this. Motive AI Dashcams illuminated driving habits in real time and helped drivers improve almost immediately.

Given the reporting inaccuracies of our previous system, some drivers resisted the move. We addressed their hesitancy by walking them through the ins and outs of the Motive Driver app. The app’s simple but powerful interface and ease of use changed everything. Drivers could review their own footage, track performance, and self-coach. Instead of feeling like we’re spying on them, they feel as if they’re part of the process.

25% decrease in overall safety events and significant cost savings.

Today, we use Motive in many different ways across our fleet:

• We investigate accidents in minutes. Previously, we’d have to go to the scene to take pictures, often multiple times. Using Motive, I can retrieve incident video within minutes, without leaving my desk.
• Our drivers actively track their safety scores through the app. The data is there in black and white. The more they pay attention, the better they drive, and the more those scores improve.
• Our mechanics run live diagnostics of vehicles, message drivers, and provide preventative maintenance alerts through the app. These actions help us keep vehicles on the road longer and stay ahead of any critical failures.
• Motive helps our transit division stay compliant with FTA and FMCSA regulations. The platform also improves contractor relations. We use footage and analytics to show partners what our drivers experience on the road and collaborate on improvements.

There’s a night-and-day difference between the data and insights we have today compared to our old solutions.

Since implementing Motive, speeding has dropped 94%, cell phone usage has dropped 26%, and stop sign violations have dropped 35%. That represents a real culture change. There has been a 71% decrease in distracted driving and 31% decrease in tailgating events. These measurable improvements show just how much Motive has helped the team build safer habits.

The number of accidents involving our fleet has also fallen 25% since May. That’s money saved — and more people arriving at their destinations safely.

Incident responses that used to take hours now take minutes, and we can verify or dismiss claims quickly. When a driver recently veered a vehicle into one of ours, they blamed our driver. Within minutes, we opened the Motive app on the driver’s phone and showed the incident video to first responders. Time saved. Claim avoided.

Safety wins aside, Motive also saves us money. Accident-related claims used to cost us millions a year. With fewer claims, we are seeing major cost savings.

Another win comes from Motive’s idling reports, which we use to optimize fuel use and improve sustainability. Before Motive, I’d get a basic report that said a bus idled for a certain number of hours. Was it at the shop? At a driver’s house? Sitting at a stop? I had no idea. Now, I can see the exact locations and take the appropriate action.

Paving the way for safer, more reliable operations

Motive has improved the future of our fleet in more ways than one, including improving our relationship with our drivers. We always get complaints about rude drivers or missed airport pick-ups, but now we have the footage to prove our drivers did nothing wrong. In the first month after the rollout, we exonerated more than a dozen drivers in airport shuttle incidents. We’re able to pat our drivers on the back and say, “Thanks for keeping your cool today.” It means a lot to them and creates loyalty and trust between us.

We can continue to build on that — and on the platform itself.

We want to build a parent-facing app using Motive’s API so families can track school buses in real time. We’re also exploring a driver incentive store, where they use points accrued through their safety scores on the Motive app and redeem them for merchandise and gift cards.

Motive has reshaped our business, and the Motive team has been honest, responsive, and flexible from day one. At the end of the day, our job is to be the safest, most reliable transportation company in Hawaii. Motive helps us achieve that.

The testimonials, statements, and opinions presented on this webpage reflect the real-life experiences of individuals and/or companies who have used our products and/or services. Individual results may vary and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The testimonials presented on this webpage were voluntarily provided and not paid.