Meet the Brand: Freeway Fleet Systems
We catch up with Robert Peel from Freeway Fleet Systems to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand 259
Tell us a bit about your company?
Freeway has been closely involved in the UK bus and coach sector since the 1990’s, continually developing their software to automate fleet management. Freeway originally developed their system in close association with a small number of operators including Reading Buses, Abellio and Cardiff Bus.
In 2016 Freeway launched a mobile app which took advantage of the latest advances in mobile working and the Internet. Freeway has since been at the forefront of the switch to digital working with a series of industry-first developments including an Earned Recognition compliance tracker and the integration of transport, ticketing and accounting systems. The number of users of Freeway’s software has doubled year on year since 2016. Worldwide, over 10.000 buses are now being managed by Freeway’s software.
Freeway is designed to improve asset management, compliance and fleet maintenance, working seamlessly across different platforms from on-premises server or cloud, with desktop and mobile interfaces. The system combines functionality of a number of different systems to provide a seamless solution incorporating fleet and asset management, maintenance and defect management, stores and stock control, purchasing and compliance.
In 2019, Freeway won industry’s first ‘Innovation Challenge’ for their Fleet-In-The-Pocket smartphone app. The app provides insights into everything from Earned Recognition KPIs and Staff Overview to Defect Recording, Time-Sheet entry, Parts Purchasing, Authorising, Receipting and Issuing. In 2022, Freeway’s Connected Bus development, which involved integration with onboard monitoring systems for predictive fleet maintenance, was also an award winner. Other industry first developments include integration with passenger transport and ticketing systems.
In addition to the early adopters mentioned above, operators now using Freeway include Nottingham City Transport, Lothian Buses, RATP, Blackpool Transport, Warrington’s Own Buses, Transdev, McGill’s Bus Group, trentbarton, Go Ahead, Ascendal Group and Rotala.
Tell us about your latest product(s), service(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand?
Freeway will be launching Insight-AI at Euro Bus Expo. This software development offers real-time and historical insights into all aspects of fleet maintenance with an intuitive design that makes complex fleet data easily accessible for smarter, faster decision-making. By gathering data from mobile devices used by engineers and staff in garages, the system delivers clear, easy-to-interpret charts and graphs via Freeway’s dashboards.
Freeway Insight-AI harnesses cloud data platforms and Business Intelligence (BI) tools to identify operational, engineering, stores, and compliance issues in real time. This empowers managers with the information they need to take immediate corrective action, improve performance, reduce costs, and ensure compliance.
Data is gathered digitally using rugged tablets and smartphones that replace traditional paperwork such as job cards, inspection sheets and parts requisitions. Freeway also collates defect reports from drivers, parts usage and data from stores and data from other areas such as operations and accounts. The pooled data provides the essential ‘fuel’ for AI-driven insights into all aspects of fleet maintenance. Analysed data is presented via Freeway dashboards to highlight critical issues and opportunities to enable informed decisions, aided by AI.
Users can drill down to the underlying data, request AI interpretation, and access sophisticated AI forecasting via a spreadsheet interface, and also link the data to other systems such as Large Language Model (LLM) and generative AI systems using an API key. Fleet-related data then can be processed alongside other business data to provide a wider business insight.
Why is exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo 2024 an unmissable opportunity for you?
Euro Bus Expo is essential for anyone wanted to do business in the bus and coach industry.
Plants Luxury Travel takes a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 45
Plants Luxury Travel of Cheadle in Staffordshire has added a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 45 minicoach to its fleet, supplied by EVM UK.
It is a 19-seater, with each position having a three-point belt and synthetic leather finish that includes diamond stitching. Folding armrests are to aisle sides and USB charging points are fitted.
Entry is via a sliding side door. An electric step is beneath it and the opening has a grab rail and a modesty panel. OEM saloon windows in privacy dark tint are retained, and access to the rear boot is via the originally fitted doors.
Air-conditioning is via both dash and saloon units, complemented by saloon heaters. A pair of luggage racks and Tarabus non-slip wood-effect flooring are further elements of the specification, along with passenger service units on the undersides of the former.
The driver of the Sprinter Transfer 45 benefits from a reversing camera that feeds to a seven-inch touch-screen dash display.
Externally, side skirts are fitted along with front and rear marker lights. Finish is in Mercedes-Benz selenite grey. A two-year, unlimited mileage chassis warranty is part of the package.
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Meet the Brand: Scania
We catch up with Stacey Llewellyn-Price from Scania to find out more about their brand and exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo, on stand V17
Tell us a bit about your company?
Scania aims to be the frontrunner in sustainable mobility. And we know that caring about the bigger picture requires putting a lot of effort into the details. Over more than a century, we have accumulated a deep understanding and a knowledge base that enables us to develop the buses, coaches, and services needed to make sustainable mobility happen – everywhere.
At Scania, we approach the challenge from all angles, providing a wide range of efficient quality vehicles and smart services that allow sustainability to go hand in hand with operating economy. That, we believe, is how we create real change.
Tell us about your latest product(s), service(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand?
This year we will be exhibiting a 14.07 metre Scania Irizar i6S Efficient, which based on solid engineering experience has been developed to meet the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s travel operators. Energy efficient and available in a wide range of powertrains, it offers the latest technology in everything from safety systems to reduced emissions. We will also be exhibiting a 13.7 metre Scania Touring, which is built on our highly regarded new generation chassis with various interior trim options available. This coach boasts a large luggage capacity, automated gearbox, rear floor-mounted toilet, as well as full PSVAR specification and a choice of warranty packages.
The show visitors will also be able to find out about Scania's journey to electrification, our complete solutions and how our vehicles meet the General Safety Regulation (GSR) standards.
Why is exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo 2024 an unmissable opportunity for you?
Euro Bus Expo is a great opportunity to not only meet our customers, partners and like-minded people, but also to celebrate success and any milestones. Scania GB is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, so we look forward to marking this milestone with some special celebrations on our stand.