Ipswich Buses launches new website with Rise Digital Media
Ipswich Buses has launched a new website that has been developed and built in partnership with industry technology firm Rise Digital Media. The mobile-friendly site provides users with simple and instant access to the latest service information, timetables, live vehicle tracking, journey planning, news and other items.
Speaking about the development, General Manager Steve Bryce says: “We recognise that our customers need instant access to accurate and up to date service information, and our new and improved website gives that that at the touch of a button.
“We are delighted to have worked with our partners at Rise Digital Media during the production and launch of the new website. In addition to providing quick and easy access to timetables and ticket and fares information, the site’s live vehicle tracking page provides users with the exact locations of their buses along individual routes on an interactive map.
“This handy new feature will not only help passengers to plan their bus trips, but also mean that they can better manage their waiting time at stops. We are already looking at options for further improving our digital services.”
Adds Rise Digital Media Operations Director Chris Nice: “We loved working with the team at Ipswich Buses during the production and launch of its new website and live vehicle tracking facility.
"Our suite of bespoke products and services to the coach and bus industry has been designed to make bus travel the simple and easy choice for passengers, and to provide operators with a better understanding of, and reporting on, services.”
ADL BYD to build 130-strong ZE fleet for National Express in Coventry
Alexander Dennis (ADL) and BYD have confirmed that their partnership is to supply 130 zero-emission double-deck buses to National Express and Zenobe in Coventry as part of the city's successful bid to become the country's first all-electric bus city.
The buses will enter service in early 2023 and will be supported with parts for a period of 16 years from acceptance.
Zenobe will provide a model it calls Electric Transportation as a Service (ETaaS) to National Express, whereby it will retain ownership of the vehicles, financing and managing the full turnkey solution that includes the vehicles, on-board battery replacement, charging and grid infrastructure, a second life battery system at the depot, the software which will optimise charging, parts, and operation support.
As well as being part-financed through the partnership, the Department for Transport has awarded £50m to the West Midlands Combined Authority for the project.
"As the UK’s leading provider of electric buses, we are delighted to be part of this ETaaS deal with partners Zenobe and National Express," says Paul Davies, ADL President and Managing Director. "This innovative model brings together government funding and business innovation to deliver an affordable way of rolling out zero-emission bus fleets at scale.
"The country will further benefit from the choice of 130 British-built vehicles that ensure money is reinvested into the manufacturing sector and local communities, where they support skilled jobs and apprenticeships at our own facilities as well as in our extensive supply chain."
Adds Frank Thorpe, Managing Director, BYD UK: "We believe that this arrangement is a positive, more viable way forward for many public transport operators to swiftly integrate and transition to zero-emission pure-electric bus solutions. National Express has first-hand experience operating BYD ADL eBuses, which utilise BYD’s pioneering battery and integrated electronic technology.
"With a longstanding knowledge of the UK market, BYD is especially proud to be involved in this project, which is setting a precedent for a new way of accelerating and financing eMobility for a better, greener world."
ADL and Zenobe previous worked with National Express to provide charging infrastructure and batteries for 29 BYD ADL Enviro400EV battery-electric buses in Coventry and Birmingham in 2020. The latest move will serve to push forward the replacement of around 300 diesel vehicles by 2025.
"This ground-breaking partnership with Zenobe further demonstrates our leadership as National Express takes another significant step towards our fully zero-emission bus fleet ambition," says Tom Stables, CEO of National Express UK and Germany. "Through this pioneering new way of working, Zenobe's innovative solution provides us with the reliability and flexibility we need to accelerate the roll-out of our greener, cleaner vehicles, while we focus on delivering an excellent service for the people of Coventry."
Adds Steven Meersman, Co-founder and Director of Zenobe: "This really is a globally important deal. We are incredibly excited to be leading the way for the electric bus industry, with ETaaS revolutionising the way fleets are electrified.
"By retaining ownership of the vehicles and taking on the risk of switching to zero-emission, we are giving National Express the use of an electric bus fleet without the hassle of owning one, making the transition to a zero-emission fleet more financially desirable.
“We’re excited to use our new model to help many more operators and local authorities across the UK – and the world – transition to electric, and ultimately accelerate progress towards net zero and clean air.”
Ticketer and Palisis collaborate on bus ticket sales to visitors
Ticketer is working with Palisis, a technology provider of sales and operations solutions for the transport and tourism industry, to help make local coach and bus services more accessible to visitors that are unfamiliar with an area.
Ticketer’s platform will integrate with Palisis, and it will allow operators to choose which tickets they make available through Palisis' online marketplace. Online travel agents and tour providers will then be able to offer purchase of those connected transport services via their websites and apps.
The new distribution outlet is set to go live in the spring. Ticketer will be able to activate the function for operators via their back-end portal, enabling ticket purchase through travel booking providers’ channels. A QR code will be issued that the on-bus Ticketer machine will scan.
Such connectivity to the online travel booking world will permit “an increased flow of passengers and ticketing revenues for coach and bus operators, whether that is for airport shuttles, sightseeing services and any other type of public transport within tourist hotspots,” Palisis and Ticketer say.
Users will be able to plan their connected journey and book and purchase tickets online alongside their flights or train journeys and hotel reservations. “This will greatly enrich the way we travel and help to remove the uncertainty or unwillingness to use local public transport in a foreign destination due to lack of knowledge of how the local services work or if a local bus might accept contactless payments, or physical cash,” the two suppliers add.
Comments Ticketer General Manager UK and International Antonia Carmona (pictured): “Our partnership with Palisis will open new retail channels for our customers, helping to increase the visibility of their bus services across the globe. We are confident that this will attract more passengers.”
Adds Palisis Head of Sales Josef Birchler: “We are excited to be working with Ticketer as it innovates and enables additional services for its current client base. We look forward to collaborating and providing connectivity to its clients like never before.”