Euro Bus Expo Masterclass Theatre speakers confirmed
The Masterclass Theatre speaker programme for Euro Bus Expo has been announced by event organiser Diversified Communications.
Drawing expertise from a variety of segments, those individuals will talk about a wide range of industry-relevant subjects on all three days of the trade show, which will be held at the NEC Birmingham between 1-3 November. They will explore the challenges, opportunities and trends that lie ahead for coach and bus.
Set to be present at Euro Bus Expo alongside the Masterclass Theatre will be over 200 exhibitors and 80 vehicles. A strong attendance from visitors from within the industry is expected, including local authorities. Individuals intending to visit can register for free tickets here.
Says Event Director Helen Conway: “With just over two weeks to go, we are excited to reveal more details of the inspiring leaders and world-class innovators at Euro Bus Expo. With opportunity to network, and to learn how to enhance the passenger experience and business efficiency, the show is the place to connect with suppliers, industry professionals and fellow operators.”
The keynote address on Wednesday 2 November will be delivered by Under-Secretary of State for Transport Baroness Vere. On the same day, Senior Traffic Commissioner Richard Turfitt will also address visitors.
The full speaker programme is as follows:
Day one, Tuesday 1 November
The power of persuasion: World authority on influence and persuasion Peter Hesketh – author of two Amazon number one bestsellers – will share insights to inspire operators to win hearts, minds and new customers through understanding seven key psychological drivers.
Understanding your customer: Marketing strategist and founder of Katchi Marketing Kate Chidzik will deliver strategies for marketing to different demographics, with a focus on the values-driven, proactive and digitally native Generation Z.
Zero Emission Coach Taskforce – identifying the challenges to destination zero: Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Policy Manager Rebecca Kite will report on the findings of the Zero Emission Coach Taskforce, which brings together operators, vehicle OEMs, energy, finance and infrastructure providers, and government representatives.
Zero Emission Coach Taskforce – overcoming the challenges to destination zero: Following the above session, a roundtable discussion will help to form phase two of the Taskforce’s work. It seeks to identify possible solutions, collaborations and requirements for the zero-emission coach transition. Taskforce Chair Ian Luckett will lead the session, supported by Daniel Hayes, Zemo Partnership Programme Manager, Hafsa Ameen of Zeelo, and Sukky Choongh and Will Reeves from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Day two, Wednesday 2 November
Keynote: Under-Secretary of State for Transport Baroness Vere: Lady Vere will open with a tour of the government’s priorities for the coach and bus industry.
Compliance: Senior Traffic Commissioner Richard Turfitt: Mr Turfitt will examine processing times for O-Licence applications, and compliance – including key legislative requirements, common pitfalls and the importance of continuous professional development.
Working in partnership: Jeff Counsell: Managing Director of Trentbarton and Kinchbus, Mr Counsell will share the success story of operators and a local authority working together to secure £47m of Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.
Tackling the driver shortage: Richard Grey and Alex Hornby: Mr Grey, MD of coach operator Greys of Ely, and Mr Hornby, CEO of Transdev Blazefield, will explore the causes and consequences of, and possible solutions to, the driver shortage.
Infrastructure for the Future – starting the conversation: A panel discussion will outline factors to consider when adopting new infrastructure, including funding, depot planning, power demand profiling, grid connection, engaging with distribution network operators, and installation. Taking part will be Daniel Hayes of Zemo Partnership; Michael Kent of Enel X; Daniel Hilson on Evenergi; and Neil Madgwick of UK Power Network.
Day two, Thursday 3 November
Advantages of zero-emission vehicles for SMEs: Association of Local Bus Managers Network members Austin Blackburn, MD of Go-Coach, and Jane Cole, MD of Blackpool Transport, will speak about the pros and cons of zero-emission vehicles for small- and medium-sized businesses. They will consider whether there is a route for those operators to follow and what support is required to avoid higher fares or service reductions.
How can big data deliver better businesses and better services? How can big data improve profitability, efficiency and productivity will be explored by CPT Cymru Director Josh Miles, who will talk with coach start-up Ember co-founder Keith Bradbury, and representatives of technology providers including Daniel Chick of Zipabout and Dave Joshua of Optibus.
Innovation Challenge: Pitches and results: The Innovation Challenge (detailed here) will allow visitors to Euro Bus Expo to discover new products and services. Exhibitor entries will be displayed in the Innovation Challenge gallery, where visitors will vote for their favourite on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 November. Suppliers of the innovations with the most votes will then each deliver a 90-second pitch to attendees and a panel of judges.
Voith Electrical Drive System explored in detail
The Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS) is described by the manufacturer as being a lightweight, energy efficient modular product that offers a cost-effective route to electrification for both coach and bus models, primarily in new vehicles but also via retrofit. It is compatible with both battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric power sources.
VEDS is almost a ‘driveline in a box’, and Voith claims that it is the most efficient product in its class. While Voith has long been best known in the bus sector for its DIWA range of automatic gearboxes, the manufacturer points out that it also has 30 years’ experience in electric drivelines. That puts it in a good position to capitalise on the shift away from diesel.
VEDS is formed principally of a water-cooled permanent magnet motor, an inverter, and control software. It works with various charging methods and battery manufacturers’ products, and Voith says it will suit a host of applications in the passenger sector. Accommodating VEDS in a vehicle designed for an internal combustion engine requires no additional space, the manufacturer adds.
Voith Electrical Drive System claims backed up by vehicle OEMs
Anecdotal evidence from representatives of the two UK-based vehicle OEMs that are thus far using VEDS suggests that it delivers on the efficiency front. That assertion is backed up by the results of formal testing at UTAC Millbrook.
Wrightbus fits VEDS to its zero-emission buses, including a large batch for Northern Ireland operator Translink and 193 on order for First Bus. Alexander Dennis utilises the system in its hydrogen fuel cell-electric Enviro400FCEV double-decker. VEDS is also likely to form a central part of the battery-electric range that Alexander Dennis is developing in-house for delivery from late 2023.
In launching its zero-emission StreetDeck Electroliner and Hydroliner models, Wrightbus was keen to stress how electrification of the platform with VEDS has not compromised the internal arrangement in the lower saloon.
Illustrating the efficiency of VEDS, the StreetDeck Electroliner’s Zero Emission Bus certificate published by Zemo Partnership shows that with 340kW/h of battery storage, its average energy consumption on the UK Bus cycle is just 0.68kW/h per km.
For a vehicle little shy of 13,000kg unladen that is a strong return. How does VEDS deliver such efficiency?
Manufacturer credits much for driveline's efficiency
Voith says that there are various reasons for the performance. It highlights what a spokesperson says is “perfect alignment” between the motor and the inverter along with “unique pulse algorithms, especially for the lowest speeds.” In addition, Voith says that the regenerative capability of VEDS is high and that in some applications, it can recapture over 50% of energy previously expended.
A motor efficiency map provided by Voith shows that at more than half of the unit’s possible operating parameters, it is 96% efficient or better. Importantly for bus use, the motor is at its most efficient – 97% or higher – at loads and motor speeds that are moderate.
For UK use, Voith will deploy VEDS in what it terms medium-duty and heavy-duty variants.
The split point between those is not fixed, but the OEM says that the medium-duty offering will suit double-decker buses – such as in the zero-emission StreetDeck models – along with single-deckers, including lighter weight examples.
This product delivers up to 2,850Nm of torque and a peak power of 260kW.
The heavy-duty iteration of VEDS comes with a modest increase in torque, to 3,100Nm, but a substantial boost in power, which peaks at 410kW. It will suit heavier vehicles and coaches.
The medium-duty set-up is optimised for urban applications and low average speeds, while the heavy-duty product is the opposite, and best suits interurban use and higher speeds. In the latter case, the motor is slightly heavier, tipping the scales at 315kg against 260kg for the medium-duty example.
Coach and retrofit in Voith Electrical Drive System scope
Battery-electric coaches are repeatedly referenced in Voith’s VEDS literature and the spokesperson is clear that they form part of the target market for the system.
For retrofit potential, they add that VEDS is already sold in Europe to repower suppliers including Orten Electric-Trucks and Pepper Motion. Both are based in Germany and are active in the bus market. “In the UK, VEDS could also be offered as a retrofit product,” the spokesperson says.
For charging options, both models of VEDS support inverted pantograph-based opportunity replenishment as an option.
The ‘dual gun’ rapid charging approach that is gaining traction on some vehicles will also be compatible, although that is currently in the development phase by Voith.
The OEM says that except for consumables such as dust seals and breathers, VEDS is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle.
Visitors to Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham between 1-3 November who wish to find out more about VEDS will see the system’s electric motor and inverter displayed on Voith’s stand C88. An Enviro400FCEV will be present on Alexander Dennis stand D100.
ShuttleID takes ticketing platform into commuter services
School bus pass and ticketing platform ShuttleID has grown its reach to capture commuter services. The launch is accompanied by an offer of short-term, one-month contracts that the supplier says “will help operators to confirm service viability and get new routes off the ground.”
ShuttleID believes that introduction of such transport provision is increasingly attractive to businesses that are mindful of staff recruitment and retention.
A move into commuter services follows what ShuttleID adds has been strong year-on-year growth exclusively on home-to-school and home-to-college routes since 2019. Its system now powers over six million annual trips. The expansion also follows feedback from operator partners, says ShuttleID Director Chris Bell.
“Recruitment is a challenge for many businesses currently and workplaces are having to look even further afield for candidates. With the risk of cuts to local bus services and the ongoing cost of living crisis, businesses may find that running their own private bus service can help to attract and retain staff.
“In this current economic climate, businesses will be savvy, but they will not compromise on value. Our technology allows operators to add that while keeping them in full control.”
AT Brown Coaches of Telford is one of the first operators to use the ShuttleID for its commuter services. Director Gareth Davies believes that demand for such technology-based services will continue to grow.
“We have worked with Chris for a couple of years and have good experience of the ShuttleID system in an educational setting. As a business, we have had home-to-work contracts for many years. Chris has listened to the specification of what is required by us as an operator, and our corporate client’s objectives too,” adds Mr Davies.
“This has provided a robust system for this setting. ShuttleID has helped us to secure new business and cemented our existing clients.”
Shuttle ID will be exhibiting its system at Euro Bus Expo.
Euro Bus Expo will be held between 1-3 November at the NEC Birmingham. Register for free tickets here. ShuttleID will be on stand A48.