ShuttleID launches local authority package
| ShuttleID, the digital school bus pass platform, has launched a new package designed specifically for use with local authorities. The package includes a number of key features aimed at authorities and a no obligation 90-day free trial.
The system provides e-ticketing, payments, service alerts, reporting, live vehicle tracking and boarding notifications in a single platform. Passengers are issued with a unique QR code which can be used on a smartphone, “brick” phone or printed out. The pass is validated using a driver app and data becomes available to the local authority in real time. Whilst the platform is already used by individual transport operators on behalf of councils, the new package formalises that ShuttleID can also support local authorities directly across an entire school bus network. The decision to make a separate offer direct to local authorities follows an unprecedented level of interest from councils in the previous twelve months. ShuttleID have signed up a number of local authorities already and more are currently trialling the system. The States of Guernsey were one of the first authorities to sign up. The system was put in place primarily to tackle a recent surge in school bus demand on the island. Whilst the States of Guernsey acknowledge the reduction in car travel as being positive, it has in turn created issues with pupils being unable to board due to insufficient capacity. ShuttleID now provides the States of Guernsey a simple way to control capacity by issuing digital bus passes. Reporting helps identify dormant passes across their network, allowing the authority to reallocate capacity to users currently on a waiting list. Jonathan Guilbert, Senior Passenger Transport Officer, States of Guernsey said: “ShuttleID provides an effective way of managing seating capacity on services. It is simple to use, both from a driver as well as back-office point of view. We find the reporting features within ShuttleID are very useful. Technical support of the system is excellent with queries responded to quickly.” “Parents have benefited from the ability to be able to track a service in real time. If a pupil lives near a bus stop, they need only leave the house when they know that the service is near. This is particularly useful in bad weather. Parents also report that they like boarding notifications so that they can be informed when their child has safely boarded the bus.” Northumberland County Council also signed up following a successful trial earlier this year. The authority is in the process of scaling out the system across their school bus network. Thomas Bunting, Passenger Transport Officer, Northumberland County Council said: "ShuttleID is proving to be a real game changer in the way we manage the home-to-school transport network in Northumberland. The system has enabled us to transition from a point where we had little or no data on travel permit checks or usage, to a point where we now have access to extensive data streams which we can use to improve the delivery of the service and achieve cost savings. This has transformed how drivers manage access onto vehicles and has also had a positive impact on student behaviour.” “Whilst we have to date only a limited rollout of the ShuttleID product, it is clear that it is already offering us a fantastic solution in terms of the management and tracking of school transport. As a result we are intent on extending its use across the entire school transport network, not just on our contracted PCV vehicles but taxi and private hire vehicles as well." ShuttleID will exhibit the new package at Euro Bus Expo on Nov 12-14. |
Steve O'Neill joins Pelican Bus and Coach in coach sales role
Pelican Bus and Coach has appointed Steve O’Neill as Area Sales Manager for the South of England.
The surprise announcement represents a return to the coach industry for Mr O’Neill, who joined it over 30 years ago. His CV includes leadership of Gillingham operator The Kings Ferry, during which time he oversaw the sale of that family business to National Express.
From there, Mr O’Neill was involved in establishment of the Irizar UK dealership and contributed to its success with DAF-engined integral coaches until leaving in 2019. Most recently, he worked with EVM on the AOS brand of midicoaches.
With Pelican, Mr O’Neill succeeds Phil Hodgson, who retired from the South of England territory in September after an over-60-year career in transport.
Mr Hodgson had seen great success with both diesel and zero-emission vehicles to retail customers, including the sale of both the first battery-electric coach to a UK customer in 2019, and more recently the debut deal with a private owner of a battery-electric double-decker. Westway Coaches was the operator in both of those deals.
Mr O’Neill has left semi-retirement to take up the role with Pelican. Speaking about the appointment, UK Coach Sales Manager Simon Collins says: “Steve brings a lot of experience to the company and he has already given fantastic input. He is super-keen to join us and already knows many of our customers.”
Mr O’Neill will be on the Pelican stand at Euro Bus Expo. His arrival comes as Pelican has an order bank of almost 160 coaches with Yutong to August 2025. Most are already accounted for but Mr Collins adds that some are still available.
Appointment of Mr Hodgson’s successor also comes as Pelican looks toward adding the Yutong GT14 diesel tri-axle model in H2 2025. It will complement the TC9 and GT12 diesel coaches, and the TCe12 and GTe14 battery-electrics.
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Yutong GT14 tri-axle diesel coach coming to the UK in 2025
The Yutong coach range in the UK will gain a tri-axle GT14 diesel model in 2025, importer Pelican Bus and Coach has announced.
Confirmation of the GT14 follows strong customer feedback that such a coach would be welcome within the UK market, Pelican says. It has ordered a batch of 10 of the coaches and orders have been taken already, with two of those already sold.
Deliveries will begin in September 2025 and maximum seating capacity will be 61 and the newcomer shares the dimensions of the battery-electric GTe14 including its 14m length. Pelican UK Coach Sales Manager Simon Collins says that the GT14 will build on the success of the two-axle GT12.
Power will come from the DAF MX-13 engine developing 483bhp driving through a ZF EcoLife automatic gearbox. Underfloor luggage capacity will be a claimed 11 cubic metres and lift fitment for PSVAR compliance will be above the rear axles.
Pelican anticipates that in the long-term, the Yutong GT14 will be held in stock. It is currently in talks with Yutong to ensure that the model is “as easy as possible to customise,” adds Mr Collins.
A camera monitoring system in lieu of rear-view mirrors will be standard and the GT14 will come with a sunken gangway. Mr Collins notes that with the GT12 having become a mature product within the UK market, both the dealership and the manufacturer believe the time is right to expand that coach’s approach to a larger vehicle.
Says Head of Yutong UK Ian Downie: “An additional diesel option in the coach market that some other parties have left demonstrates Yutong’s commitment to the UK.”
Adds Pelican Bus and Coach Managing Director Richard Crump: “We have been successful with two-axle coaches and the market has steered Yutong to this three-axle offering. Now is the perfect time to develop [the GT14] to fill a space left by others.”