Transdev Blazefield to adopt Freeway tech across fleet
Transdev Blazefield is overhauling its maintenance operation with the fleet-wide rollout out Freeway technology. The supplier's platform will ultimately connect 700 mobile devices and a series of operational management systems to provide centralised control of the operator's 550 buses.
Freeway describes the software as “one of the most advanced digital systems in the UK.” It uses artificial intelligence to automatically calculate optimum job scheduling and resource allocation based on live data feeds from drivers, workshop technicians and other staff equipped with mobile devices.
Freeway will be integrated with “a raft of systems” already used by Transdev Blazefield, including those for operations, finance and fuel management.
The operator has initially rolled out Freeway technology at its The Harrogate Bus Company subsidiary. It plans for the software to be live across all its operating centres by the end of 2022. Freeway will gather data daily from 550 on-bus units and 150 devices across the engineering function. With Transdev Blazefield it will see an estimated 200 users.
In Harrogate the system was adopted as a proof-of-concept exercise, with Transdev Blazefield Operations Director Vitto Pizzuti saying that the rollout “went very smoothly” over a full introduction period of three months. He credits commitment from Transdev’s Harrogate team and Freeway for that achievement.
Freeway will also be used to automate stores and purchasing by the provision of a digitised and centralised solution. It will automatically assign authorisation levels allowing purchase order approvals based on order value and seniority.
Adds Mr Pizzuti: “By centralising stock control and purchasing, we foresee significant savings. Freeway will allow us to dramatically reduce administration, control quality, secure better deals through corporate purchasing, and share stock among the group.
“With Freeway, we can look at trends, set up KPIs to track performance, and better manage warranty claims. We will be able to challenge suppliers if they are not delivering, something we could not do before as we did not have the information.”
Steve O'Neill joins EVM UK to head AOS Isuzu brand
Steve O’Neill has joined EVM to head its work with AOS Isuzu vehicles in the UK market. His appointment forms part of wider business expansion for EVM that has also seen the unveiling of a new brand and a move to larger premises in West Sussex.
Mr O'Neill brings over 30 years’ coach industry experience into the role with EVM. That includes leadership of Gillingham operator The Kings Ferry, during which time he oversaw sale of the family business to National Express. After that, Mr O'Neill was involved in establishing the Irizar UK dealership until leaving during 2019.
With EVM, Mr O’Neill will first focus on the AOS Visigo mid-sized coach and the Grand Toro model, while the smaller battery-electric Novociti Volt bus will premiere at Euro Bus Expo at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. It will be shown alongside the Visigo and Grand Toro and members of EVM’s established range.
Managing Director Danny McGee has confirmed that EVM has orders in hand for the “majority of initial stock units” from AOS Isuzu and that examples of the Grand Toro and Visigo are already in the UK being prepared for customers. He adds that EVM is “very excited” to have Mr O’Neill onboard and that the former coach operator’s presence will add momentum to UK rollout of the brand.
“Having known Steve for many years and worked with him on several projects, he was a natural choice to join our team and assist in the implementation of the AOS Isuzu brand,” continues Mr McGee. “Our focus for the future is to develop the product range for the UK market while delivering excellent customer service.”
Adds Steve O’Neill: “I am very excited to be joining EVM UK as the head of AOS Isuzu. I have had a great relationship with Danny and Sales and Marketing Director Peter Flynn for many years and always admired their approach to the market and their customer focused position.
"Now with the exciting range of coaches and buses from AOS Isuzu, it is great to join them for their next stage of development.”
Zero-emission coach interest: 'Marked increase' in 2022
Interest in the purchase of zero-emission coaches has seen a marked increase in 2022, sole supplier of the vehicle type Pelican Bus and Coach had revealed.
The dealership, with the battery-electric Yutong TCe12 in its coach range, has several customer orders for the model in hand for delivery over coming months. It also has 10 TCe12s that are due to arrive as stock by the end of 2022. Managing Director Richard Crump believes that most, if not all, of those coaches will be accounted for ahead of them landing here.
Mr Crump says that operators in and around larger cities currently dominate purchases of, and enquiries for, the TCe12. Several examples are on order for companies based in and surrounding London, while a potential debut in Manchester is in hand. Turners of Bristol also has a TCe12, and in Scotland, Edinburgh-based Ember has more due.
However, he adds that availability of sufficiently powerful mobile DC chargers that can run from a 415v, 63A three-phase supply and the inclusion of zero-emission coaches in scope of the second phase of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund (ScotZEB2) are both expected by Pelican to play a role in growing the TCe12’s appeal beyond city region operators.
Two chargers that use a three-phase supply are offered by Pelican. One is rated at 20kW, but Mr Crump says that a 42kW alternative has already proved its worth. A TCe12 recently delivered to Heathrow operator AirSym was supplied with the latter. It can replenish the coach’s 281kW/h of battery storage in around six hours when residual charge is factored in.
“The 42kW charger is a cost-effective way into the zero-emission coach sphere. Our engagement with the industry shows that most operators have a three-phase supply on site, and it can allow them to dip a toe in the water with battery-electric. We have certainly seen a shift in the breakdown of enquiries we are receiving for coaches to include more zero-emission interest as 2022 has progressed.”
For ScotZEB2, Mr Crump adds that Pelican is “confident” the scheme will generate further interest in zero-emission coaches among operators in Scotland. To that end, Pelican will soon offer a service where it works with potential customers to prepare a ScotZEB2 bid based on purchase of the TCe12. A demonstrator will also be taken to Scotland later in 2022.