Every improvement is included as part of your subscription, ensuring you always have access to the latest features, performance upgrades, and security enhancements without lifting a finger. The system updates quietly in the background, allowing you to stay focused on delivering outstanding journeys.

Each time a new release goes live, we share a summary here to highlight what's new, what's improved, and any notable changes across the platform.

We’ve been doing this since day one—starting with our very first update back in September 2016.

Vanguard: A New Era Begins for Road XS

Throughout 2025 and early 2026, Road XS is undergoing its biggest transformation yet with our four phase Vanguard programme. We're future-proofing our platform to deliver a faster, smarter, more powerful experience, without compromising what makes Road XS so popular today. Here’s a glimpse of what’s happening this year behind the scenes:

Please Note: The existing software and platform will remain fully supported at every stage of this four-phase transition.

The 4 Phases of the Vanguard Programme:

• Phase 1: Alpha
  A comprehensive upgrade to the core system architecture. This crucial work happens behind the scenes, setting the stage for everything that comes next—greater speed, resilience, and flexibility.
  (March - April 2025)

• Phase 2: Orbit
  During this phase we’re enhancing the everyday experience. New features, intuitive updates, and fresh workflows to streamline your operations and unlock new possibilities.
  (May - March 2026)

• Phase 3: Eclipse
  This phase focuses on strengthening the internal engine of Road XS. It’s where the platform becomes faster, smarter, and more secure—ready to scale with confidence. These enhancements ensure long-term stability, smoother performance, and a stronger foundation for what’s to come.
  (April-May 2026)

• ***Phase 4: New Dawn
  This is where it all comes together. A stunning new design, reimagined workflows, and next-generation functionality. This bold leap forward is more than an upgrade—it’s a new era for everyone who uses Road XS and works in the transport sector.
  (May to July/August 2026)
  
  ***We may roll out features during this phase incrementally along with a beta version of Road XS for people to try as we add the new workflows.

Updates in Software 2026.11

Software release date: March 11th 2026

General Information

• Security and performance improvements through updates to the underlying platform.

Updates in Software 2026.9

Software release date: February 26th 2026

General Information

• We have recently implemented an update to replace the previous Postcode lookup third-party service, which ceased operations.  We have now implemented the upgraded address lookup function for passenger, driver, and location profiles to assist with adding details into Road XS across all Road XS versions.

Updates in Software 2025.41

Software release date: October 7th 2025

General Information

• We’ve released an update to the DVLA vehicle lookup feature. This update introduces a new API aligned with the latest DVLA and DVSA standards, ensuring your vehicle details and MOT information remain accurate and up to date.

• Applies to all vehicles held in Road XS.

Updates in Software 2025.18

Software release date: April 30th 2025

General Information

• Alpha phase of the Vanguard programme.

• Staged roll out

• This release is currently undergoing a staged roll out and is not yet available to all Road XS users. Further testing and gradual deployment are ongoing to ensure optimal performance and stability.

Improved

• This update delivers key enhancements to the underlying system architecture as part of our ongoing 2025 programme to future-proof the Road XS platform. These improvements lay the foundation for increased performance, scalability, and long-term maintainability, while unlocking additional long term benefits across the software.

Updates in Software 2025.8

Software release date: February 18th 2025

New

• The ability to assign passengers to registered GP surgeries via their profiles to assist with ICB funding.

Improvement

• We have released an update to the DRT algorithm. This ensures a smoother experience for all passengers when booking journeys.

Updates in Software 2025.7

Software release date: February 16th 2025

New

• Road XS has fully migrated to our new Google Cloud Platform at the London Data Centre. This update means that Road XS is now hosted on one of the world’s leading cloud infrastructures, leveraging the latest technology for superior performance and reliability.

• This upgrade delivers enhanced backup capabilities, strengthened security measures, and a foundation built for growth and innovation.

• This is the start of an exciting new direction for Road XS, unlocking greater reliability, innovation, scalability, and the tools needed to stay ahead in an ever-evolving transport landscape.

• This release also introduces a new framework and access point for the whole platform

• Hourly backups for everyone.

2024

Summary

In 2024, Road XS introduced a range of enhancements through our Cloud Refresh Programme, further strengthening our position as a leading transport platform for community and DRT services.

Key highlights include:

• The launch of the Road XS Community and return of the Road XS Podcast to support operators with fresh insights and collaboration.

• Major new features such as passenger service area access controls, return bookings for Dial-a-Ride and DRT, and a brand-new Driver Portal app for iOS and Android.

• A final rollout of our advanced DRT model, blending Dial-a-Ride and virtual stop-based services in one powerful system.

• Behind-the-scenes improvements to routing algorithms, live vehicle tracking, reporting tools, and automation controls.

• Fixes to key workflows, including car scheme journey editing, auto archiving, and passenger data management.

From new features to refined performance, 2024 marked another milestone year in helping operators deliver efficient, modern, and seamless transport experiences.

New

• Assigning Passengers to Service Areas

  You can now limit access for passengers to specific service areas within the DRT service areas.

• 📄 White Papers Published

  White papers on public transport transformation, community transport challenges, and volunteer driver recruitment are now available.

• 🎙️The Road XS Podcast is Back

  We’ve dropped 10 new podcast episodes. Listen at www.roadxs.com/podcast

• Dashboard Update

  Updated dashboard with links to the support portal, what’s new, and feature requests.

• 🌟 Road XS Community Launches

  A new space to access support, request features, and join discussions with other operators.

• New Cancellation Reason: Passenger on Holiday

  Added to improve cancellation reporting.

• DRT and Dial a Ride Return Booking Capability

  Now allows return journey bookings in one step.

• 📱Driver Portal App for iOS and Android

  Released for both platforms, integrates directly with navigation apps.

• Location Notes Added

  Add notes to favourite locations such as parking tips or opening hours.

• Hiding Driver Details

  A new setting controls whether driver contact info is visible in the passenger portal.

• New Dial-a-Ride DRT Setting Now Available

  Introduced a model allowing blended DRT and Dial-a-Ride operations in a single system.

• 🚍Welcome to the Future of Travel with Road XS

  Final upgrade to the new DRT model, enhancing algorithm and virtual bus stop features.

Improvements

• DRT Algorithm Update (Early)

  A small update improving optimisation.

• Journey Analysis Report Update (Early)

  Additional fields added for more detailed data and CSV export.

• Bus Stops Board

  New board shows all virtual and physical stops across your DRT service area.

• Service Area Improvements for DRT

  Start/stop times now consider same-day service splits, e.g. school vs standard DRT.

• Live Vehicle Location Updates

  Vehicle location now pulses in red and appears in real-time on journey overviews.

• DRT and Dial a Ride Algorithm Update

  Introduced 'arrive by' journey bookings with time-specific routing for better appointment targeting.

• Automation Improvements and Manual Override

  Better control over invoice generation with added manual override function.

• DRT Algorithm Update (Later)

  Additional refinement to optimisation capabilities.

• DRT and Dial a Ride Algorithm Upgrade Released

  Major upgrade streamlining routing and automation.

• Car Club Update

  Improved booking calendar functionality for smoother scheduling.

• Journey Analysis Report Update (Later)

  Included What3Words pickup and drop-off data in exports.

Fixed

• Editing Car Scheme Journeys

  Resolved home location bug and improved overall editing workflow.

• Passenger Updates

  Restored passenger editing functionality after it was unintentionally disabled.

• Passenger Auto Archiving

  Fixed issue causing inactive passengers not to archive as expected.

• Car Journey Booking Issue Fixed

  Resolved issues after a performance/security update rollout.

2023

Summary

Throughout 2023, Road XS continued to evolve with impactful enhancements rolled out via our Cloud Refresh Programme. From interface upgrades to improved automation, every update aimed to streamline operations and empower transport providers.

Notable new features included:

• The release of the next-generation Road XS platform, featuring a complete design overhaul, improved portals, and refined journey creation tools.

• Launch of the Car Club module, offering automated payment calculations and integrated reporting.

• Key usability upgrades such as the Driver Availability Calendar, Interactive Activity Board, and Login as Passenger support tool.

• Expanded reporting with Quick Stats, Journey Categories, and Membership Insights, offering greater visibility across services.

• Seasonal visual updates through Road XS Themes to keep the experience engaging year-round.

Platform improvements focused on:

• Speed and reliability gains from a major server upgrade.

• Enhanced live tracking, smarter recurring journey calculations, and refined routing algorithm accuracy.

• Smoother invoicing workflows with PDF previews, better filters, and more intuitive UI elements.

• Upgraded Car Club reporting, usability, and workflow control.

• In-depth refinements to volunteer and mobility handling, including start/stop points, payment status, and calendar fixes.

Fixes addressed:

• Mapping issues due to API restrictions, invoice filter bugs, and calendar display errors.

• Passenger profile saving bugs, Car Club booking glitches, and data export errors.

• General stabilisation across reports, journey management, and interface performance.

With each release, Road XS reinforced its commitment to delivering a seamless, powerful, and user-friendly transport management experience.

New

• Automatically Close Fee Pending Journeys

  You can now auto-complete journeys without confirming mileage or fees if not required.

• 🍂🎃🎄☀️ Road XS Themes

  Seasonal themes now adjust the interface visuals throughout the year.

• 🚀 The Next-Generation of Road XS Launches

  Major redesign with updated portals, journey creation, menu systems, and new branding.

• Automated Payment Calculations

  Car club users now benefit from automated driver payment calculations.

• Filter by Vehicle in Passenger Portal

  Added vehicle-based filter in the availability screen.

• Login As Passenger

  Admins can now log in as a passenger if permission is granted, for better support.

• New Car Club Module Launches on Road XS

  Car Club module released in beta.

• Quick Stats Report

  A new quick stats report has been introduced to help you monitor your service.

• Disable Driver Self-Allocation

  You can now stop drivers from allocating themselves to journeys in the portal.

• Removing a Carer From a Journey

  You can now remove a carer after journey creation.

• New Reports

  Journey stats and quick stats reports now available for better analysis.

• Deceased Status

  Drivers and passengers can now be marked as deceased in the system.

• Interactive Activity Board

  New calendar format to easily view, filter, and manage your journeys.

• Driver Availability Calendar

  A new drag-and-drop calendar view for setting driver availability.

Improvements

• Server Upgrade Complete

  Major upgrade to boost speed and reliability.

• Fixes and Improvements

  General bug fixes and enhancements to assist with operations.

• Journey Categories Report

  Categories now break down to grouping level for better insight.

• Passenger Membership Status

  You can now see passenger membership status in listings.

• Passenger Notes

  Notes now include journey ID links for faster access.

• Driver Run Sheet Updated

  A cleaner version of the run sheet is now downloadable by drivers.

• Car Club Journey Analysis Report Improved

  Added fare and fee visibility for Car Club journeys.

• Invoice PDF Preview and Download

  PDFs for invoices are back in the new interface.

• Car Club Workflow Update

  Updated workflow: journeys now enter fee pending state by default.

• Further Improvements and Fixes

  Bug squashing and better in-app support access.

• Recurring Journey Calculation Improvements

  More accurate date and time generation for recurring sets.

• Algorithm Update

  Improved arrival time accuracy in the route optimiser.

• Membership Report CSV Improvements

  Enhanced export functionality.

• Start and Stop Points

  Start and stop points now appear where volunteers are allocated.

• Departure Board Update

  Car Club journeys now display correctly in the Departure Board.

• Live View

  Improved GPS view showing driver location updates.

• Mobility & Payment PDF Status

  Mobility needs and payment info now included in journey PDFs.

• New Button on Vehicle Activity Board

  New button improves access to vehicle data.

• Removal of Driver When Unavailable

  Driver is auto-removed from journeys when marked unavailable.

Fixed

• Map API IP Blocking Fixed

  Fixed issue blocking the API and causing maps to disappear.

• Car Club Booking Bot

  Bot now returns vehicle availability feedback correctly.

• Invoice Filters

  Resolved filtering issues in the invoice view.

• Availability Calendar Fixed

  Fixed bugs in calendar and unallocated driver alert functionality.

• Invoicing Table Display Fix

  Resolved transaction type column display errors.

• Report Fixes

  Fixed CSV export issues including membership status display.

• Car Club Updates

  Fixed several issues with passenger booking in the car club module.

• Postcodes Report Monthly Review

  “Other” categories now display correctly in monthly view.

• Departure Board and Activity Board Fixed

  Updates and fixes deployed to both boards.

• Passenger Profile Saving

  Resolved saving error caused by new field additions.

• Mileage and Calculations

  Mileage and costings now display and calculate correctly.

• Calendar Fixed

  Driver profile page now saves correctly after update.

2022

Summary

In 2022, Road XS introduced a series of powerful updates designed to enhance routing accuracy, invoicing automation, and operational flexibility across community transport networks. Delivered via our Cloud Refresh Programme, these updates brought smarter workflows and deeper integration across the platform.

Major new features included:

• What3Words Integration throughout the system, enabling precise location pinpointing for passengers, drivers, and destinations—minimising routing errors and improving journey accuracy.

• Dead Mileage Tracking & Invoicing, providing a more realistic reflection of vehicle usage by accounting for non-passenger travel distances.

• The release of Road XS Connect, a feature that links passengers, drivers, and vehicles to specific service areas—paving the way for shared operations and regional outsourcing.

• Support for card payments, enabling seamless fare processing during journey creation.

• New driver release functionality, allowing drivers to be efficiently reallocated between outbound and return trips when time permits.

Improvements included:

• Enhanced pickup windows to boost passenger confidence in estimated arrival times.

• More intuitive return journey scheduling with improved return pickup time assignment.

• Streamlined start and stop point planning in dispatch workflows.

• A significant performance upgrade, increasing platform speed by 62%.

• Smarter vehicle availability handling across all transport modes.

Fixes addressed:

• A refinement to return trip defaults, ensuring more consistent pickup logic for smoother dispatch planning.

These updates continued to strengthen the Road XS platform as a modern, flexible solution for demand-responsive and community transport providers across the UK.

New

• What3Words Pinpointing

  Icons now show which passengers, drivers, and locations are pinpointed. Direct links to What3Words included.

• Dead Mileage

  Dead-mileage calculations now supported to reflect mileage without passengers onboard. Enable this via settings.

• Automated Dead-Mileage Invoicing

  Dead mileage can now be included in automated invoice generations.

• 🛰️ Pinpoint Locations with What3Words

  Paste a What3Words address to automatically and accurately set a map pin. Reduces routing errors.

• Road XS Connect: Connecting Communities

  Assign service areas to passengers, drivers, and vehicles for shared regional operations and outsourcing.

• Driver Release

  Drivers can now be reused for local trips while waiting for return pickups if their schedule permits.

• Pinpoint Passenger, Driver & Saved Locations with What3Words

  View pinpointed status in journey overviews for accurate mileage tracking.

• Payment via Card

  Card payments are now supported when creating journeys.

Improvements

• Pickup Windows

  Pickup windows now clearly display for passengers during dispatch, increasing confidence in arrival times.

• Return Pickup Time

  Return times can now be set more efficiently during passenger assignment to dispatch or DRT services.

• Start and Stop on Dispatch

  Easier route planning with improved setting of start and stop points.

• ⚡ Performance Update Released

  Road XS performance increased by 62% thanks to major backend improvements.

• Vehicle Availability

  Improved availability handling across Dial-a-Ride, DRT, and Group Travel services.

Fixed

• Default Return Pickup Location

  When managing return trips, the default first pickup location is now retained to streamline the process.

2021

Summary

In 2021, Road XS introduced several impactful upgrades focused on streamlining dispatch, improving reporting, and enhancing user experience for both administrators and drivers. Delivered through our Cloud Refresh Programme, these updates continued to modernise operations across the Road XS platform.

Key new features included:

• The launch of the Interactive Activity Board, a visual calendar with filtering by driver, vehicle, and service, offering real-time operational clarity.

• A redesigned dispatch workflow, simplifying route management for both fixed and demand-responsive services.

• Expanded reporting tools, including district-level analysis, membership expiry tracking, postcode area exports, and bulk invoice downloads.

• The new Run Sheet design—now A4-optimised for clearer printing and data presentation, ideal for Dial-a-Ride services.

• Enhanced address lookup system, improving speed and reliability of location searches.

• A new "Round Up Mileage Fees" option for more consistent invoicing presentation.

Improvements included:

• System-wide performance boosts, especially within invoicing and recurring journeys.

• A broader range of journey feedback options, including delays due to hospitals or overrunning appointments.

• UI enhancements to return pickup times, driver availability windows, and emergency contact visibility.

• Improved automated invoicing, postcode data lookup, and support features via an upgraded Answer Bot and consolidated help centre.

• More control with filtering in recurring journeys, optional email removal in auto-generated invoices, and visibility of journey notes in the driver app.

• A focus on security with updated platform protections.

Fixes addressed:

• Resolved bugs affecting passenger addition, driver dropdown selectors, and recurring journey date extensions.

• Corrections to Dial-a-Ride fee calculations, source reports, concessionary travel banding, and DVLA data overrides.

• Restoration of full postcode lookup functionality following previous integration issues.

These updates helped elevate the Road XS experience for community and DRT operators, reinforcing reliability, control, and compliance throughout the year.

New

• Interactive Activity Board

  Launch of a visual calendar-based activity board with weekly views and filtering by driver, vehicle, and service.

• Invoicing Report

  Export overdue and custom invoice information from the new report under the finance section.

• Membership Report with Expired and Expiring List

  Track expired and soon-to-expire memberships. Export options included.

• District Reporting Now Available

  Generate reports per district to improve geographic control and eliminate postcode overlaps.

• New Journey Filters Added

  Added “Next Week” and “Next Month” filters for quick scheduling views.

• New Run Sheet Download Design

  A4-format run sheet redesigned to show more data, ideal for Dial-a-Ride and group trips.

• New Address Lookup System

  Redesigned address lookup system for faster and more stable location handling.

• 📲 New Dispatch Workflow Launched

  Introduced a new dispatch workflow for both fixed and demand-driven routes.

• Passenger & Driver Postcode Area Contact Exports

  Export contact info per postcode group from dedicated reports.

• Download Multiple Invoices

  Select and download multiple invoices in PDF format at once.

• Round Up Mileage Fees Option

  Toggle added in settings to round mileage fees to the nearest 50p or leave as-is.

Improvements

• Performance Improvements

  Various invoicing and platform updates improving speed and automation.

• Additional Info in Membership CSV Export

  Passenger contact info now included for mail merge and communication.

• How Was the Journey? – New Options

  Added 'Hospital delay' and 'Appointment overran' to feedback options.

• Invoice Amount Overview

  Invoice lists now show pence without needing to click into records.

• Driver Updates Reminder

  30-day reminder for driver detail updates added to maintain compliance.

• Next of Kin Now on Journey Overview

  Emergency contact info now easily visible.

• Return Pickup Time Improvement

  Easier and more intuitive setting of return pickup times.

• Driver Availability Time Improvement

  Refined timings better reflect true driver availability.

• Support Update

  Support portal and in-app help systems consolidated for better access.

• Answer Bot Updates

  Improved 24/7 bot support with adaptive learning.

• Automated Invoicing Improvements

  General improvements and additional PDF generation fixes included.

• Postcode Lookup Improvements

  Additional location data now viewable per postcode.

• Recurring Journey Set Filter

  Added filtering options to view subsets of recurring journeys.

• Email Removed from Auto Invoices

  Driver and passenger emails now excluded from automated PDFs.

• Further Details on Driver Mobile App

  Admin-set journey notes now visible in the driver portal.

• Minor Improvements

  Minor UI and date syncing fixes across boards.

• Workflow Improvements

  Multiple updates to dispatch and allocation logic.

• Recurring Journeys Update (Flow)

  Workflow and allocation process for recurring journeys improved.

• Extended Disability Reporting Data

  Breakdown of disability by journey category now included in reports.

• Further Details Improvements

  Fields only display in the portal if they contain data; editable from admin.

• Security Update

  Improved platform and support portal security.

Fixed

• Additional Passengers

  Passenger addition error post-update resolved.

• Driver Known Drop Down

  Drop-down selector for known drivers now working correctly.

• Dial-a-Ride Fees

  Fix ensures return trip charges display correctly.

• Bug Fixes

  General bug patch release addressing various minor issues.

• Source Report Fix

  Report now counts data accurately when filtering by service area.

• Concessionary Travel Fix

  Calculations now respect all time bands.

• Recurring Journeys Date Fix

  Resolved issue affecting recurring journey extension dates.

• Postcode Lookup Now Working Again

  Functionality restored for address lookup.

• DVLA Data Override

  Fixed out-of-date DVLA data integration causing driver lookup issues.

2020

Summary

Despite the global challenges posed by COVID-19, Road XS remained committed to supporting transport operators and their communities. Through our Cloud Refresh Programme, we delivered a robust suite of updates to enhance resilience, improve flexibility, and introduce new tools designed to meet the changing demands of community transport services.

Key new features included:

• COVID-Support Features:

  • Added COVID-19 cancellation reasons, the launch of Road XS Deliveries for food and medicine logistics, and the Road XS Wellbeing module to monitor passenger and driver health.

    Advanced Journey Management:

  • Introduced Emergency Patient Transport capabilities with multi-crew assignment.

  • Support for minimum mileage per passenger, membership tracking, and What3Words integration for pinpointing locations.

    Enhanced Driver Tools:

  • A redesigned Driver Portal with note-taking, GPS-stamped updates, live journey visibility, and new daily reminder notifications.

    Financial Reporting & Invoicing:

  • Added remittance invoice automation, admin fee flexibility, and tools for driver mileage verification and fee locking.

    User and Workflow Enhancements:

  • Jump links to profiles, blue badge visibility, service area-based reporting, and the ability to track recently visited locations per passenger.

Improvements included:

• Better performance and search speeds, new buffer and transit settings for Dial-a-Ride, and more accurate driver availability scheduling.

• A refined invoice layout, improved data exports, and UI enhancements across the admin and driver portals.

• Updates to reporting tools with postcode-level accuracy and dynamic footer design in financial documents.

• Smarter pickup time suggestions, enhanced passenger editing flow, and improved driver 'busyness' indicators.

Fixes addressed:

• Resolved critical issues around vehicle status visibility, manual mileage entry, recurring journey data retention, and default location times.

• Fixed bugs in carer fee calculations, postcode reporting, and driver payment summaries.

• Enhanced platform stability during recurring journey creation and complex routing involving multiple pickups/drop-offs.

In a year of extraordinary circumstances, Road XS not only remained stable but evolved to meet new needs, proving to be a trusted partner in keeping transport services connected, safe, and efficient.

New

• Festive Christmas Theme

  A seasonal dashboard theme was introduced to celebrate the holidays.

• Jump to the Driver and Passenger Profiles

  Direct links added to journey overview for quick profile access.

• Blue Badge Holders

  Easily identify blue badge holders on journey overview.

• Driver Mobile Portal Update

  Drivers now see extended journey details on their mobile portal.

• Advanced Fees

  Introduced fee-per-mile calculation for admin, delivery, or patient-specific rates.

• Payment Workflow Modification

  Improved checks for pre-payments before confirming journey completion.

• 📛 Passenger Membership Management

  Introduced membership renewals and expiry tracking.

• Passenger Loading Times

  Set custom loading times per passenger to enhance schedule accuracy.

• 🚑 Emergency High-Dependency Patient Transport

  Enabled multi-crew allocation for urgent care journeys.

• Driver Notes on the Go

  Drivers can leave live notes and GPS-stamped updates via portal.

• What3Words Launches on Road XS

  Pinpoint location tech integrated for improved journey accuracy.

• 💗 Road XS Wellbeing

  Track and log driver and passenger wellbeing over time.

• Locations Directory Update

  Save and manage contact details per location.

• 🚚 Road XS Deliveries!

  Delivery routing and volunteer scheduling enabled for parcel, food, and medication.

• Corona Virus Cancellation Reason

  COVID-19 added as a journey cancellation category.

• New Feature Request Area

  Introduced suggestion board for users to submit and vote on future ideas.

• Passenger Journey Breakdowns per Postcode Group

  Report shows journey totals by postcode.

• Time Period: Journey Analysis Report

  Custom date ranges added for tailored report exports.

• Passenger Totals Report

  Track monthly/yearly passenger counts and cancellations.

• Minimum Mileage per Passenger

  Set per-passenger minimum travel distances.

• Journey Locking for Dial a Ride

  Lock automated times to prevent user changes.

• Recently Visited Locations Per Passenger

  Shows a list of frequent drop-offs when creating a journey.

• Driver Schedule Reminder Service

  Email reminders notify drivers of upcoming journeys each day.

• Driver Portal Usage Report

  Monitor driver engagement with new usage reporting.

• Finance Reports

  Mileage remittance, admin dues, and unpaid invoices now exportable.

• Verify Journeys for Accuracy

  Admins can confirm all journey details pre-notification and invoicing.

• Minimum Mileage Feature

  Globally enforce base mileage charge for short trips.

• Journey Analysis Report

  Generate passenger, driver, and payment-based travel breakdowns.

• Prevent Drivers From Being Unallocated

  Optionally restrict role permissions to preserve journey allocations.

• Journey Concessions

  First introduction of automatically applied journey concessions.

• Automated Remittance Invoice for Drivers

  System-generated mileage owed reports for contract drivers.

Improvements

• Estimated Pickup Time

  Suggests optimal pickup time instead of appointment by default.

• Journey Analysis Report Update

  Sorts by surname first for both drivers and passengers.

• Pinned Note Change

  Pinned notes now appear top of passenger notes for easy reference.

• Fluid Invoice Footer

  Adaptive footer height to fit varying invoice footers.

• Passenger Titles Now Show

  Titles now displayed on journey screen (Mr, Mrs, Dr, etc).

• Stay in the List

  Open passenger profiles in new tabs without losing place.

• Automated Invoicing Update

  Captures additional data and sources for each journey.

• Active Passengers First

  Active passengers now listed by default.

• How Was the Journey?

  Drivers can now leave post-trip feedback.

• Editing Passenger Workflow Improvement

  Improved page flow after editing.

• Pickup Confirmation

  Portal popup added to reduce accidental confirmations.

• General Improvements

  Performance and data refinements including scheme-specific filtering.

• Invoice Design Improvements

  Cleaner layout with all relevant financial info included.

• Confirm Pickup Time Window Resized

  UI update improves readability during driver confirmation.

• Extended Driver Availability Times

  Support for full 24-hour driver shifts and updated UI.

• Dial a Ride Settings Update

  Buffer and transit time settings introduced.

• Data Export Improvements

  Export now includes fields from new features.

• Reporting Improvements

  Dial-a-Ride mileage report adjustments.

• Lookup Speed Improvements

  Faster location search and shortened recent history.

• Email Notifications Update

  Improved delivery for invoicing and schedule reminders.

• Setup Fees Settings Design Improved

  Simplified UI for setup fees configuration.

• MOT Lookup Fix

  Lookup reliability improvements.

• Discover the Admin and Mileage Breakdown Per Passenger

  Fare hover reveals individual fee breakdown.

• Driver Portal Manual Mileage Issue Fixed

  Manual mileage entries now display correctly.

• Driver Portal UI Updates

  Updated interface and cleaner layout.

• Driver Portal Mileage Claim

  Monthly mileage claims streamlined with reminders.

• Messaging System Updates

  Enhanced internal messaging for all users.

• Driver Portal Updates

  New layout, data visibility, and UX enhancements.

• Driver 'Busyness' Improvement

  Driver scheduling status now more accurately represented.

• Driver Lookup Icons Improved

  Icon display consistency resolved across screen sizes.

• Report Optimisation for the Postcodes Report

  Faster loading and accurate results for postcode groups.

• Performance Improvements

  Reduced page load times and better report generation.

Fixed

• Vehicle Status Fixed

  Bug resolved affecting vehicle status display.

• Search Text

  Fixed text entry display issue in global search.

• Recurring Journey Creation Modification

  Backend adjustments to support heavy data processing.

• Minor Issue Resolved

  Escort option bug for patient transport corrected.

• Recurring Journey Fix

  Fixed primary driver retention on recurring trips.

• Return Only Time Issue

  Drop-off time adjustment issue corrected.

• Outstanding Driver Fees Report Fixed

  Resolved untracked journeys in driver payment summary.

• Default Location Times

  Fixed time zone reset issue tied to setting update order.

• Carers Fee Calculation Fix

  Carer role now excluded from passenger fare count.

• Minor Bug Fixes Released

  General usability and workflow enhancements deployed.

• Additional Pickup and Drop Offs

  Issue resolved, allowing complex routing for up to 4 pickups/drop-offs.

• Remittance Invoice

  Enhanced invoicing system now tracks both income and outgoings for driver payments.

2019

Summary

In 2019, Road XS focused on strengthening the foundation of the platform while introducing powerful new tools to enhance automation, accessibility, and community collaboration. Through the Cloud Refresh Programme, we rolled out impactful updates that modernised journey creation, boosted Dial-a-Ride performance, and expanded self-service functionality for both passengers and drivers.

Key new features included:

• Smarter Journey Management:

  • A fully redesigned journey creation workflow, journey verification process, and optimisation engine upgrade for Dial-a-Ride services significantly improved transit time accuracy and reduced manual input.

    Empowering Passengers and Drivers:

  • The launch of the Passenger Portal enabled 24/7 self-booking. A new Driver Portal interface, Do Not Disturb (DND) setting, and Driver Portal Bot delivered more flexibility for drivers.

    Automation & Support Tools:

  • Introduced the Booking Bot, a virtual assistant for passenger bookings, and an internal messaging system to streamline communication across teams.

    Data and Reporting Enhancements:

  • New fields for bus pass numbers, payment methods, passenger counts, and a dedicated Postcode Report improved insight and data control.

    System Settings & Personalisation:

  • Launched notification preferences, minimum driver fee settings, and a new “Unconfirmed” status for bookings made via the portal.

Improvements included:

• Enhanced workflows across the platform, including admin mileage entry, pickup time sync, and dynamic time slot booking in the calendar.

• Major server migration boosted system speed and stability.

• Invoice and reporting updates introduced greater flexibility for admins, including editable fee displays and direct access via the global search bar.

• Streamlined DRT run sheets, better route recalculation access, and updated driver lookup tools improved the day-to-day experience.

• Visual and functional enhancements throughout the Driver Portal made mobile use more intuitive and efficient.

Fixes addressed:

• Resolved bugs across DND, recurring journey IDs, report displays, and general workflows.

• Final patches of the year resolved minor residual issues to improve platform stability ahead of the next development cycle.

2019 set the stage for a more automated, responsive, and community-driven Road XS—paving the way for a smarter transport future.

New

• Bus Pass Number

  Bus pass numbers are now available in passenger profiles.

• Feature Request Board

  A board is now accessible in the community area for submitting and voting on feature ideas.

• Journey Optimisation Upgrade

  Major improvements to the optimisation engine for Dial-a-Ride services with enhanced transit time accuracy.

• New Mapping Engine

  Updated the platform’s core mapping system.

• Redesigned Journey Creation Workflow

  A new journey creation experience introduced.

• Journey Verification Process

  A new process added to verify journeys and reduce data entry errors.

• Community Area Launch

  Community area now available for feature requests and shared resources.

• Do Not Disturb Mode

  Drivers can now set DND mode when unavailable.

• Driver Busyness Indicator

  See driver availability in lookup results.

• Minimum Driver Fee Setting

  Set minimum driver fees by payment source.

• Notification Preferences

  Users can configure their notification settings.

• Passenger Portal

  24/7 journey booking available for passengers.

• Booking Bot

  Virtual assistant added to help passengers book journeys.

• Journey Invoice Export Options

  Export journey invoice breakdowns in multiple formats.

• Internal Messaging System

  Built-in messaging now available within Road XS.

• Unconfirmed Journey Status

  For bookings made via the passenger portal, journeys now begin with an “unconfirmed” status.

• Driver Portal Bot

  Bot assistance added for driver users.

• Postcode Report

  New postcode report for grouped data insights.

• Payment Method Field

  Payment methods such as cash are now shown clearly in the journey record.

• Demand-Responsive Passenger Count

  New field added to count flexible passenger pickups.

• Updated Driver Portal Interface

  A new design for the driver portal.

Improvements

• Mileage Entry for Admins

  Admins now have a smoother experience when entering mileage.

• Car Scheme Pickup Time Linked

  Pickup time now matches with driver’s actual pickup time.

• Route Recalculate Button

  Easier access to re-calculate journey routes.

• Dial-a-Ride Optimisations

  Improved internal routing and booking for DRT services.

• Server Migration

  Back-end server improvements for speed and performance.

• Driver Portal Mileage Improvements

  Enhanced user interface and workflow for mileage submissions.

• Booking Calendar Enhancements

  Now includes dynamic time slots for bookings.

• Booking Workflow Redesigns

  Group and DRT workflows have been streamlined.

• Driver Portal Interface Upgrades

  Improvements to the mileage claim experience.

• Postcode Report Filter

  Filter postcode data by area in reports.

• Global Search Bar Enhancements

  Can now access invoice data directly from the search bar.

• Invoice Breakdown Flexibility

  Admin fee, mileage, or both can be shown on invoices.

• Passenger Contact in Driver Portal

  Passenger phone numbers now shown post-confirmation.

• Editable Areas and Sources

  Admins can now modify service areas and payment source settings.

• Invoicing Process Enhancements

  More options and stability in automated invoice generation.

• Expanded Cancellation Reasons

  More options now available to track journey cancellation causes.

• Driver Portal UI/UX Improvements

  Visual refresh and improved usability.

• Self-Allocation for Mobile Drivers

  Drivers can now allocate themselves to trips on mobile.

• Driver Lookup and Settings UI

  Updated interface for faster searching and setting adjustments.

• Interactive DRT Run Sheet

  Run sheets now offer an interactive experience.

Fixed

• Minor Bug Fixes

  General software bugs resolved across releases.

• DND Bug Fix

  Do Not Disturb feature now works reliably in the driver portal.

• Reporting Issue Resolved

  Fix issued for a specific report not displaying data.

• Recurring Journey ID Fix

  Journey ID now displays correctly for recurring trips.

• Workflow Bug Fixes

  Adjustments made to improve workflow stability.

• Minor Bugs in Final Release

  Final patch of the year resolved residual issues.

2018

Summary

2018 was a transformational year for Road XS, marking a major leap in automation, reporting, and personalisation across the platform. With the introduction of the Route Manager, enhanced passenger independence, and robust GDPR tools, the platform matured into a more agile and user-focused solution—solidifying its role as a leading provider of community transport technology.

Key new features included:

• Smarter Routing and Personalisation:

  • Replaced recurring journeys with the intelligent Route Manager and introduced manual route overrides, waypoint sequencing, and multi-passenger journey support.

  • Support for independent passenger profiles, along with detailed fields like Blue Badge, NHS number, and more.

    System Intelligence and Chat Tools:

  • Launched Olive, the Road XS chatbot, offering 24/7 chat assistance.

  • Introduced real-time chat support, system-wide notifications, and support portal integration for faster issue resolution.

    Admin & Driver Experience:

  • Rolled out a completely redesigned driver portal, admin login as driver, and driver status monitoring, along with driver mileage previews in lookup results.

    Financial Tools and Automation:

  • Added pay-as-you-go invoicing, Square payment integration, invoice previews, and email templates.

  • Enhanced PDF invoice generation and introduced seated passenger toggles to fine-tune fare calculations.

    Analytics and Visualisation:

  • New performance, journey, mileage, and HMRC-ready reports, along with a redesigned reports interface for better insights.

Improvements included:

• Significant improvements to the journey creation process, particularly for multi-passenger and return leg bookings.

• Better user interface clarity, especially on smaller screens.

• Enhanced driver portal functionality, including lookup accuracy and interface refresh.

• Auto-archiving of inactive passengers for cleaner data management.

• System-wide UI enhancements including font upgrades, layout tweaks, and shadow adjustments for improved readability.

• More robust audit trails, traffic feed design, and security access controls.

Fixes addressed:

• Resolved a wide range of community-reported issues and minor bugs, including:

  • Do Not Disturb (DND) bugs, recurring journey ID inconsistencies, and email design errors.

  • Fixed issues following the Everest release, covering report filters, UI beta bugs, and GDPR-related lookup errors.

  • Improved support portal access and audit log visibility to ensure transparency and usability.

2018 laid the groundwork for a more integrated, intelligent, and compliant transport platform—paving the way for deeper automation, greater flexibility, and stronger community support in the years to follow.

New

• Route Manager replaces recurring journeys.

• Independent passengers with unique profiles.

• Journey ID codes: R, S, J.

• Integrated support platform.

• Olive, the Road XS chatbot.

• Pay-as-you-go invoicing integration.

• Manual route override.

• Route layout for minibus and D-a-R journeys.

• Geocoded mapping engine.

• New profile fields (blue badge, NHS etc.).

• Notification role toggles.

• Journey recalculation tool.

• Direct driver email links.

• Driver mileage preview in lookup.

• Driver status monitoring.

• New Road XS logo.

• Invoicing and reminder tools.

• PDF invoice preview and email templates.

• Custom font.

• Multi-passenger pickups and returns.

• Vehicle activity board.

• Vehicle service indicators.

• Updated journey creation workflow.

• Return leg editing.

• Waypoint sequencing.

• 'This Week' journey filter.

• Edit journey options.

• Square payment system intro.

• Seated passengers toggle.

• World Cup theme.

• Redesigned driver portal.

• Real-time chat support.

• Pin notes to passengers.

• GDPR features and consent script.

• System-wide notifications.

• Admin login as driver feature.

• Support portal and website redesign.

• New reports interface.

• Performance, journey, mileage and HMRC reports.

• Return leg second driver.

• Journey source editing.

Improvements

• Journey creation experience.

• UI clarity on small screens.

• Auto passenger archiving.

• Invoicing and multi-passenger UX.

• Driver portal design and features.

• Booking workflows and audit trails.

• Traffic feed UI.

• Driver lookup and portal functionality.

• Invoicing automation.

• User interface and layout enhancements.

• Mileage calculation updates.

• Journey search and pagination.

• Security and location access control.

• Real-time chat UX.

• Reporting clarity and UI.

• Recurring journey UX.

• Font and shadows adjustments.
  

Fixed

• Community-reported bugs.

• DND bugs in driver portal.

• Reporting and recurring ID display issues.

• Workflow bugs.

• Invoice rendering bugs.

• Minor UI and UX issues.

• Bug reports resolved post-Everest release.

• GDPR and lookup bugs.

• Report filters and chart visuals.

• Beta bugs from new UI.

• Support portal access bugs.

• Email design and audit logs.

2017

Summary

In 2017, Road XS made major strides toward intelligent transport automation and operational scalability. From smart Dial-a-Ride routing to full invoicing automation and GDPR-readiness, this year established a solid foundation for powerful, compliant, and user-friendly community transport.

Notable new features included:

• Dial-a-Ride Smart Routing

  Intelligent logic now optimises pickup and drop-off sequences for efficiency and journey accuracy.

• Enhanced Recurring Journey Tools

  New recurrence options—daily, weekly, monthly—added with improved visibility and editing.

• Multi-Passenger & Waypoint Support

  Complex journeys now support multiple passengers, custom pickup windows, and route waypoints.

• Fleet & Minibus Management

  Introduced vehicle and license tracking with smart routing for larger fleets.

• Invoicing Automation

  Launched a full finance system with automated invoice generation, VAT support, and PDF exports.

• Offline Mode & Email Tools

  Operators can now download schedules for offline use and email journey summaries directly.

• Themed Interface Options

  Seasonal styles like Christmas and Remembrance themes add a thoughtful user touch.

• Profile Enhancements

  Added postcode lookups, ethnicity/gender fields, and smart note indicators in profiles.

• Carer Support & Appointment Controls

  Improved configuration options for journeys involving carers or time-sensitive bookings.

• Admin Control Tools

  New features to archive passengers, edit recurring journey sets, and manage user access.

• Service Area Permissions

  Granular access controls introduced for different teams, replacing the old ‘offices’ model.

Improvements included:

• User Interface Refinement

  A major visual refresh brought improved navigation, icons, and layout clarity.

• Mapping and Journey Planning

  Accuracy and load speed improved across all mapping tools.

• Driver Availability & Workflow Updates

  Added logic for unavailability settings, enhanced validation, and better allocation feedback.

• GDPR and Security Preparation

  Updated access control, encryption, and visibility settings ahead of GDPR requirements.

• Driver Lookup Enhancements

  Prioritised listings, smart filters, and colour-coded visibility improved the driver allocation process.

• Reporting and Insights

  New tools allowed for mileage comparisons, clearer reporting layouts, and simpler exports.

• Support & Community Integration

  Combined live chat, support tickets, and a feedback platform into a single help centre.

Fixes addressed:

• Tackled a wide range of issues including:

  • Lookup inconsistencies and UI glitches.

  • Driver availability calendar bugs.

  • Recurring journey duplication and validation problems.

  • Workflow inconsistencies and backend syncing delays.

2017 marked the start of Road XS' shift into a truly scalable and intelligent platform—blending automation, accessibility, and service quality to meet the evolving needs of the sector.

New

• Dial-a-Ride Smart Routing Intelligent routing added for Dial-a-Ride services with optimised pickup/drop-off order and improved journey info layout.

• Seasonal & Themed Interfaces Christmas and remembrance themes introduced to enhance user experience.

• Recurring Journeys Upgrade Enhanced scheduling options including daily, weekly, monthly recurrence with more control.

• Multi-Passenger Journeys Multiple passengers per journey now supported with estimated pickup times and smart mapping.

• Fleet, Minibus, and Smart Route Management Fleet, vehicle, and license management added along with real-time smart routing updates.

• Waypoint Support Waypoints can now be added to journeys for detailed route control.

• Driver & Passenger Profile Enhancements Added postcode look-up, ethnicity/gender fields, and hover-over notes for efficiency.

• Invoice Automation & Management Full invoicing system rolled out including VAT handling, reminders, automation, and exports.

• Offline Mode & Email Tools Offline export of daily schedules and email options added.

• Admin Tools New options to archive passengers, create action boards, and manage recurring journey edits.

• Service Areas & Permissions Introduction of access control per area and service, renamed from ‘offices’.

• Carer Support, Appointment Time Updates Journey options updated to reflect carer presence and editable appointment times.

Improvements

• Driver & Journey UI Enhancements Interface refresh for admin and driver portals, new icons and layout improvements.

• Mapping Engine & Route Planning Accuracy and performance improved across all mapping and journey tools.

• Availability, Validation, and Workflow Driver unavailability settings added; improvements to allocation workflow and validation.

• Security & GDPR Preparation Pre-GDPR update including access control, login visibility, and encryption updates.

• Reporting Upgrades Easier report navigation, mileage breakdowns, data comparison tools added.

• Driver Lookup & Allocation Enhancements Radius lookup, priority listing and colour-coded clarity added.

• Community and Support Platform Integration of chat, ticketing, and user community feedback portal.

Fixed

• Bug Fixes and UI Glitches Resolved reported issues including lookup bugs, layout mismatches, and database syncs.

• Driver Availability & Allocation Bugs Issues with availability calendars, scheduling mismatches, and drop-down conflicts fixed.

• Recurring Journey & Validation Fixed duplication and validation problems in recurring journey creation.

• General Optimisation Numerous quality-of-life updates and database performance boosts.

2016

Summary

Road XS officially launched on 20th September 2016, introducing a smarter, more connected approach to community transport and transport services generally. From day one, our focus was on building a reliable, intuitive platform with real-world operational features—guided by direct feedback from operators and volunteers alike.

Despite being our first year live, we delivered substantial functionality to lay the groundwork for future innovation.

Key new features included:

• Journey Status Enhancements

  A structured status flow was introduced: Driver Pending → Call Pending → Confirmed, streamlining coordination between admin teams, drivers, and passengers.

• Recurring Journey Management

  Added advanced logic to control recurring sets with journey limits and automatic status tracking.

• Expanded Profile Data

  Profiles now include driver DBS expiry dates, journey source information, and operator audit trails.

• Journey Delay & Cancellation Logging

  Reasons for delays and cancellations can now be recorded and reported for better service transparency.

• Reporting Suite Launch

  Delivered performance, destination, and category-based reports—complete with visual charts and CSV export functionality.

• Community Feedback Tools

  Rolled out the first version of our feature request system, enabling users to vote on upcoming improvements.

Platform improvements:

• Visual & Interface Refresh

  Journey tables, dashboard elements, and status colour schemes were redesigned for clarity and user comfort.

• Driver Allocation Logic

  Improved validation, lookup logic, and sorting order for faster and more accurate allocation.

• Recurring & Return Workflow Enhancements

  Better validation, visibility, and logic handling for complex round trips and multi-leg journeys.

• Security & Archiving

  Upgraded user permissions and archival systems to improve data protection and early GDPR preparation.

• Reporting & Analysis Engine

  Streamlined report performance with additional fields and better filter control.

• Performance Boost

  Backend optimisations reduced load times and improved system responsiveness across the board.

Bug fixes and maintenance:

• Fee Tracking & Lifecycle Transitions

  Fixed transition bugs affecting fee pending status and journey costing.

• Driver Calendar & Assignment Issues

  Addressed known bugs around allocation, date pickers, and selection drop-downs.

• Passenger Profile & Archiving

  Resolved bugs where archived passengers affected live workflows or searches.

• Data Sync & Lookup Updates

  Fixed inconsistencies in real-time dropdowns, profile refreshes, and admin tools.

• Ongoing Maintenance

  Frequent hotfixes and stability improvements driven by early user feedback.

New

• Journey Status Enhancements

  New statuses: Driver Pending → Call Pending → Confirmed for improved journey tracking.

• Recurring Journey Management

  More granular control over journey repeats, including limit setting and status tracking.

• Driver & Passenger Profile Fields

  Added DBS expiry, journey source info, and operator identity tagging.

• Journey Delay Logging & Cancellation Reasons

  New admin tools for tracking and reporting delays and cancellation causes.

• New Reports Suite

  Performance, destination, and journey category reports with chart support.

• Feature Requests and Community Integration

  Launched in-system feedback and feature request module.

Improvements

• Interface, UX and Visual Design

  Journey tables, status colours, and dashboards refreshed for usability.

• Driver Allocation & Validation Improvements

  Enhancements to improve logic, allocation flow, and sorting.

• Recurring & Return Journey Handling

  Updated for better status visibility, validation, and fee estimation.

• Security, User Permissions & Archiving

  Enhanced security and archive logic for GDPR alignment.

• Reporting and Analytics

  Updated reports engine with better performance and breakdowns.

• System Speed & Efficiency

  Major backend upgrade to improve database and page load times.

Fixed

• Journey Lifecycle & Fee Tracking

  Fixed bugs around transition to fee pending and fee estimations.

• Driver Allocation, Calendar & Display Issues

  Resolved various allocation logic issues and default calendar dates.

• Passenger Profile Updates

  Archived passengers no longer interfere with live data workflows.

• Journey Creation & Data Sync

  Bugs fixed around journey additions, lookup refreshes, and dropdown syncs.

• General Maintenance

  Continuous community-sourced fixes and platform optimisation.

We have now launched RXS-1A: Ascend.  Road XS has fully migrated to our new Google Cloud Platform at the London Data Centre.

This update means that Road XS is now hosted on one of the world’s leading cloud infrastructures, leveraging the latest technology for superior performance and reliability.

This upgrade delivers enhanced backup capabilities, strengthened security measures, and a foundation built for growth and innovation.  This is the start of an exciting new direction for Road XS, unlocking greater reliability, innovation, scalability, and the tools needed to stay ahead in an ever-evolving transport landscape.

This release also introduces a new framework and access point for the whole platform, and we’ll be launching complimentary hourly backups for all of our users.

You can now download our latest eBook 'The Road Ahead: 10 Dangers Facing Community Transport'.

This eBook offers a compelling exploration of the vital lifeline community transport provides to older adults, individuals with disabilities, and rural residents.

This updated and revised edition delves into the pressing challenges reshaping the sector, from surging demand and dwindling resources to the impact of climate change and technological disruptions.

With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and resilience, this eBook is both a call to action and a celebration of the unsung heroes—volunteers and providers—working tirelessly to bridge gaps in accessibility and inclusion.

Whether you’re a policymaker, provider, or passionate advocate, discover actionable insights to drive a brighter, more connected future for community transport.

You can download your copy here for free:
https://www.roadxs.com/the-road-ahead-10-challenges-facing-community-transport/