National Coach Network opens partnership with BP
National Coach Network (NCN) has opened a partnership with fuel company BP that it says will allow coach operators “to benefit from a range of exclusive discounts and benefits.”
It is open to NCN members and comes with an introductory incentive of £30 cashback when £60 of fuel is purchased, an offer that runs to 3 July.
The BP fuel and charge card will also enable participating operators to join BP’s ongoing rewards programme. That will enable them to purchase fuel or in-store products with the fuel and charge card and earn BPme loyalty points. Those points can then be redeemed against discounts or gifts.
The integrated BPme app enables points balances to be checked and payments to be made.
The Kings Ferry raises money for charity Help for Heroes
A charity open day at the Gillingham depot of National Express Transport Solutions (NETS)-owned The Kings Ferry on 21 May saw a donation of £600 made to Help for Heroes, NETS' chosen charity for 2022.
In addition to raising money for the armed forces charity, the event was intended to raise awareness and also to help to recruit drivers. Events included a raffle of donated prizes, experience of the operator’s VIP coach, and more. £535 was raised during the day, which has been rounded up to £600 by the company.
NETS South East Managing Director Ian Fraser describes the open day as “a great success.” He adds: “We had a great attendance from the local community, as well as staff with their families. We even managed to recruit some drivers to join the team. This was the first open day we have delivered since the formation of National Express Transport Solutions and [our] first public fundraiser for Help for Heroes.”
Help for Heroes Corporate Partnerships Manager Rebecca Santoni has thanked NETS for its choice of charity and for holding the fundraising event.
“The team’s commitment, in preparation for and during the day, was incredible, and only shows their willingness to support the veteran community. Their enthusiasm and motivation to support the charity is one of those things that makes us proud of our jobs as charity workers. Thank you to them all.”
NETS has raised £1,600 for Help for Heroes so far in 2022. Fundraising will continue for the rest of the year.
Totalkare launches 'brake tester and inspection pit in a box'
Totalkare has launched its TK-BM65 product, which combines brake tester, wheel play detector and vehicle inspection capabilities into one compact unit.
A demonstration example of the TK-BM65 was on the Totalkare stand at the CV Show in mid-May. The supplier says that it “will suit operators and repair specialists alike” and that it is particularly well aligned with those in both segments that do not already have a pit.
At 4,270mm in length and 2,180mm across, and with a depth of 1,808mm, the plug-and-play, galvanised steel unit includes lighting, a hydraulically raised inspection floor, an integrated sump tank, side entrance stairs and safety rails. It is available for both indoor and outdoor usage, with optional heating and a hydraulic aluminium cover available to suit the latter application.
Totalkare adds that the TK-BM65 does not require concreting into the ground. Instead, it can be mounted on a sand base, making it removable should the buyer need to relocate it.
The brake tester element is via either a standard in-ground unit or with load simulation capabilities. Both variants have 1,000mm rollers and can accept axle loads of up to 16,000kg. A wireless tablet interface is provided to allow testing to be undertaken from the driver’s seat of the vehicle in question, while a safety system prevents the brake tester from being operated while an operative is within the pit area.
The pit permits what Totalkare describes as “quick inspections” to be conducted. Access to that part of the TK-BM65 is via the access steps, and within the pit is the hydraulic floor that raises by a maximum of 400mm to allow better access to the underside of the vehicle.
Introduction of the TK-BM65 by Totalkare represents further diversification of its product range. Speaking at the launch, CEO David Hall says that when the business discovers something innovative, “we are always keen to bring it to market.”
Mr Hall describes the unit as “a brake tester and an inspection pit in a box,” adding that Totalkare representatives first saw the unit at its Danish manufacturer partner BM Autoteknik only four weeks before the CV Show. The demonstration unit is the first to land in the UK. Totalkare says customers should expect a lead time of between 12 and 16 weeks. The supplier can also arrange groundworks and installation if required.