Blackpool assesses potential for real-time displays with Journeo
Real-time information for Blackpool Transport and Stagecoach buses serving the Fylde resort’s town centre is now being provided by a large display. Along with the accompanying software system, it has been installed by Journeo and forms “an insight into the potential of the technology,” says Blackpool Council, which plans to expand real-time bus information provision in due course.
The display is within the window of Blackpool Transport’s currently-closed customer service centre on Market Street. The package has been funded by Blackpool Council’s Local Transport Plan. Live journey times were previously only available for both operators’ services within their respective apps. The local authority points out that the new screen particularly benefits passengers that have no access to such technology.
Blackpool Council now hopes to roll out further real-time displays. That will include via shelter-mounted units at key stops, and through free-standing ‘totem screens’ around the town’s new tram terminus as part of the Talbot Gateway Phase 2 development, which is scheduled to open later this year.
Those totem screens will be interactive and display live travel information for buses, trams and trains as well as maps, points of interest and other messaging. The work is part of Blackpool Council’s efforts to promote sustainable travel where possible after it declared a climate emergency in 2021.
Each operator involved in the real-time information provision via the new screens has welcomed the development. Blackpool Transport Managing Director Jane Cole says that it “is the next step in making bus travel even more accessible than ever before,” while Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire MD Matt Davies has also acknowledged its value in encouraging patronage.
DVSA 'keen' on long-term horizon for vehicle test availability
Achieving longer-term visibility of heavy vehicle test availability for Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) and operators alike is something that DVSA is “keen to look at” as part of ongoing work around the Heavy Vehicle Testing Review.
Writing in a blogpost, Head of Vehicle Policy and Engineering Neil Barlow says that one way to help achieve that could be moving towards “a longer term view of planning and confirming testing resource.” That may involve agreeing the hours for which DSVA Vehicle Standards Assessors (VSAs) are provided to ATFs over a rolling 13-month period, Mr Barlow suggests.
When combined with a mechanism for short-term adjustments, he believes that such an approach would “enable ATFs to give [operators] the service they need.” The Agency was criticised by some operators in 2021 for failing to ensure sufficient availability of heavy vehicle test slots in all regions. It put that down to testing exemptions awarded in 2020, which impacted the spread of expiry dates and caused bunching.
Mr Barlow says that DVSA wants to move to a system for ATFs to book VSA hours that “works for everyone.” He adds that establishing an equilibrium in that regard between DVSA and ATFs “is key to making the service work better.”
The Agency acknowledges that under the current arrangement for how VSAs’ hours with ATFs are scheduled, operators cannot always book tests as far ahead as might be desirable. Certainty of appointment availability “is something that is critical for many operators,” says Mr Barlow. “But we also know that flexibility to change things at shorter notice is important."
Additional work by DVSA on a longer-term approach to the allocation of Assessors is anticipated early in 2022, although he cautions that any change “cannot happen overnight” as some quarterly booking processes for this year have already been confirmed.
Further focus groups exploring how DVSA can improve its heavy vehicle testing regime are planned. Sessions that have taken place so far have informed the Agency of “things that we were already thinking about, but also had some helpful and challenging insight in other areas,” says Mr Barlow.
DVSA earlier told routeone that it had received 38 applications for new ATFs since lifting the moratorium on accepting such submissions. Immediately before Christmas 2021, two of those were close to opening.
Euro Bus Expo postponed until 2022
Euro Bus Expo organiser Diversified Communications UK today confirms that the event has regrettably been postponed until 2022.
The organiser has made the difficult decision to reschedule Euro Bus Expo for a further 12 months following consultation with its show partner, exhibitors, and visitors. The major UK-based showcase for the coach, bus and mini vehicle sector will now take place on 1-3 November 2022 at the NEC Birmingham.
In tandem with the premier trade event, the highly esteemed routeone Awards has also been postponed and will next take place on 2 November 2022 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
The decision to postpone the events has been brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been much further reaching than anyone first anticipated and is having a huge impact on the sector.
Says Event Director Helen Conway: “The decision to postpone was particularly difficult given the show of support from visitors, exhibitors and partners. Over 90% of exhibitors and visitors rated Euro Bus Expo as being important to their business in a survey completed over the last two weeks. This confidence in our events and their standing within the industry places emphasis on the importance of meeting our stakeholders’ expectations.”
Feedback from the industry and its best interests overall were central to the decision being made, with survey participants suggesting the event should be postponed for another year. The new dates provide the time needed to focus on recovery, while also giving planning security to all stakeholders, and meeting trend-based buying cycles. The new dates will also ensure that when the events return, they will do so with vigour and a renewed focus on future growth and development.
The move, which follows similar announcements from other major trade events in the sector, is supported by show partner, the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK. Says CPT’s CEO, Graham Vidler: “Euro Bus Expo is the premier trade event that offers a great opportunity to bring the industry together. However, with the pandemic continuing to affect the coach and bus sector, we fully support our partners at Diversified Communications UK in having to make this difficult but most sensible decision to postpone the event until November 2022.
"We look forward to coming together again in brighter times. In the meantime, we will continue to work with operators and suppliers as we collectively navigate the challenges ahead."
Helen continues: “We will look ahead to next year’s events with a new energy, and the confidence that they will be safe, economically feasible, well attended, and will live up to their enviable reputation. Expect an impressive Euro Bus Expo 2022, rich in innovation, on a size and scale that fully represents the industry, and a prestigious routeone Awards that recognises the commendable work happening across the sector. We thank all our exhibitors and partners for their patience, continued support and commitment."
Until Euro Bus Expo unites the sector again, the organisers will be working on new ways to connect the industry and highlight new product and service developments as they happen.
To keep up with event developments, visit www.eurobusxpo.com and join the mailing list.
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Media enquiries to:
Jacqui Trayford, Marketing Manager
[email protected]
Event enquiries to:
Helen Conway, Event Director
[email protected]
Exhibition sales enquiries to:
Martin Laverton, Sales Manager
07793 440281
[email protected]
Notes:
Euro Bus Expo images: https://eurobusxpo.com/gallery/
2022 logo: https://eurobusxpo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EBE22-logo_BLUE-DATE.png
Diversified Communications UK Ltd (Diversified UK) is a fast-growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton, Peterborough, and London. Diversified UK’s transport & travel portfolio includes Euro Bus Expo; Coach & Bus UK; routeone magazine; routeone Awards; British Tourism & Travel Show; and the British Coach Tourism Awards. For more information, visit: www.divcom.co.uk.
Diversified UK is part of Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: travel and tourism, food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.