ShuttleID add-on brings live tracking, real-time ticket scanning
School bus pass and ticketing platform ShuttleID has launched a driver app that delivers live vehicle tracking and real-time ticket scanning data within a single system.
Following a successful trial with several operators, the LIVE add-on is now available to those that “want to develop or maintain direct relationships with schools and customers, offering the most up-to-date technology to stay ahead of the competition,” says ShuttleID Director Chris Bell.
The add-on allows operators to add value to their services, enhance their safeguarding credentials, provide reassurance to passengers and parents and gain the capability to see from the 'back office' in real time when users are boarding, the supplier adds.
Continues Mr Bell: “Our original system offered operators the benefits of technology for a great price, without the need for a network connection during the journey. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increasing appetite for technology from end users and clients. Our LIVE add-on was the next logical step for our platform.”
Leeds-based Tetley’s Coaches was among the first operators to take part in the trial. It now plans to roll out the ShuttleID LIVE add-on across all its home-to-school services, says Managing Director Ian Tetley.
“We are excited to promote and offer this to both new and existing customers," he explains. "Allowing passengers to track their service has already seen a drop in phone calls to our operations team. It gives passengers peace of mind that services are on their way when we are experiencing delays.
“We are seeing a greater demand from customers for real-time tracking and passenger data not only on our school bus services but also from our corporate clients, with many now requesting these features as standard. ShuttleID ticks so many boxes for us. We could not operate as efficiently as we do without it.”
More information at ShuttleID's website.
NCT is first UK bus operator to retrofit to Journeo Camera Monitoring System
Journeo has announced that Nottingham City Transport (NCT) is the first UK bus operator to retrofit the supplier's digital Camera Monitoring System (CMS) to its fleet in place of conventional wing mirrors.
The company has marked the retrofit as a watershed moment for the technology and the 21st Century solution, as it allows operators to deploy the system both to existing vehicles as well as new ones.
The installation with NCT further allows consistency in system quality and driver familiarisation, and allows Journeo's nationwide engineering team to manage all systems under one support and maintenance contract.
The Journeo CMS uses cameras connected to monitors inside the driver's cab. Journeo says it improves visibility in all conditions, including at 
night, bright sunlight, and heavy rain, while giving the driver a clearer view and removing blind spots.
The cameras' diminutive size also reduced the risk of collision with pedestrians, other road users and objects such as bus stops and trees - Journeo reports users have seen a 60% reduction in accident costs and almost 40% in maintenance costs.
“We are determined to make our transport network as safe as possible for passengers and other road users and this project is an important step in achieving this," says Liam O'Brien, Head of Engineering at NCT. "As with any significant change to a vehicle, there are a lot of processes to go through. 21st Century’s support in helping us navigate the legal procedures has been invaluable.”
Adds Mark Johnson, Director of Fleet Systems at 21st Century: "As a UK first this is an exciting project. While CMS is mandated on all new buses in London, Liam and the Nottingham City Transport team are proving that operators outside the capital can add this important safety technology to their existing vehicles. Because of the huge safety benefits that it brings, we are determined to support the industry to roll out this technology wider.
"Our understanding of homologation processes for new and existing vehicles is second-to none and, with a nationwide engineering team, we can help any operator roll out these solutions seamlessly."
Rear view cameras and 'stop and go' for UK Neoplan Tourliner
MAN will shortly debut OptiView rear-view cameras and adaptive cruise control (ACC) ‘stop and go’ functionality on its Neoplan Tourliner coach line-up in the UK. The OEM's dealership here says that the optional systems form part of work to further improve efficiency and safety on the Tourliner.
Both packages will be fitted to a demonstrator among a batch of 11 stock Tourliners that are to start arriving in late February. Another of those coaches will have OptiView, but not ACC ‘stop and go’ capability. Both will also be the UK’s first Tourliners built with MAN’s AttentionGuard product, which introduces a visual and audible warning if it detects that the driver is losing concentration.
The long-awaited arrival of OptiView in the coach market here follows an extended development period for the technology on passenger vehicles. Some UK operators have already seen and experienced it on a Neoplan Cityliner development vehicle in Germany. Good feedback from them was a factor in MAN electing to specify it on the forthcoming demonstrators, says Senior Retail Coach Sales Executive Matthew Jacob.
“The response from operators on visits to Munich was positive and they indicated that they are keen to try the technology in their own circumstances. We are also keen to generate feedback from drivers on how they find rear-view cameras.”
An option to retrofit OptiView to existing Tourliners is currently being finalised by MAN. Coaches equipped with OptiView will be supplied with basic replacement mirrors for use should a camera fail or be damaged.
The ‘stop and go’ addition to existing ACC functionality will allow the coach to automatically brake to a short period at standstill before restarting without the driver’s intervention. MAN says that it “significantly increases safety and comfort” and reduces the driver’s workload.
ACC utilises the front-mounted camera and radar units and intervenes with brake and throttle inputs. Availability of the ‘stop and go’ enhancement is exclusively in conjunction with the ZF Traxon automated manual gearbox. It is also offered on MAN coach chassis in right-hand drive format.
Also debuting in UK Tourliners via the pending stock arrival will be Euro VI step E technology on the MAN D26 power unit. The D26 at that iteration can run on 100% biodiesel or HVO in addition to conventional diesel. The fully equipped demonstrator will showcase the D26 at its maximum 510bhp and 2,600Nm of torque rating.
The stock batch will consist of two-axle Tourliner P10 and tri-axle P20 and P22 variants. All will be PSVAR compliant with space for two wheelchair users.