Ritchies adopts Omnibus depot allocation software solution
Ritchies of New Zealand has adopted Omnibus's cloud-based depot allocation solution, OmniDAS, across its main depots.
OmniDAS will be used with planning and on-the-day driver and vehicle allocation processes to improve efficiency, cost management and collaborative working.
"We are confident that our depot controllers will gain valuable operational efficiencies which have been experienced in the network planning teams across the business," says Stephen Cruttwell, Implementation Manager at Ritchies. "This major investment in OmniDAS will provide access to leading-edge technology ensuring our allocators can react to on-the-day unscheduled driver events and easily access real-time driver and vehicle information to make the optimal business and customer service decisions.’
‘Having worked with the Omnibus team for three years and the great customer support we have received, for instance accommodating working out-of-office hours on their side due to the time differences as we rolled out the solutions, we are in good hands for the next phase."
Adds Aiden Proctor, International Client Manager at Omnibus: "We are delighted Ritchies has selected OmniDAS to support its future growth and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Having proved our scheduling solutions and demonstrated operational efficiencies to the business, this has further cemented our partnership. Our technology will play a key role in rebuilding patronage and providing a reliable service in New Zealand."
The operator has used the Omnibus scheduling suite since 2018.
Switch Mobility offers further details on new Valladolid site
Switch Mobility has shared further details on its planned manufacturing and technology centre in Valladolid. It has confirmed it will be built on a greenfield site in the Soto de Medinilla area.
The 140,000m² site has been selected from numerous locations within the Castilla y Leon (Castile and León) Region of Spain. The facility will be built in phases, starting with bus production and research and development.
The announcement of the chosen location was accompanied by the planting of the first of 2,000 trees which will be introduced over the coming year, or one for every direct job Switch plans to create at the new centre. Dr Andy Palmer, Switch Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, and Eva Driessen, President of Switch Iberia, along with members of the executive Team were present.
Construction, which Switch says will be entirely carbon neutral, is due to begin soon.
Says Dr Palmer: “We are delighted to have selected Valladolid as the location for our first manufacturing site in continental Europe.
"The region’s wealth of quality engineers and strong supply chain, combined with Spain’s desire to be a leader in electric buses, make the Soto De Medinella area the perfect location. This new facility will provide us with crucial access to the European bus and light commercial vehicle market.
"Since announcing our plans to invest in Castilla y León, we have been overwhelmed by the level of interest in the project and I would like to thank Reyes Maroto Illera, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, Oscar Puente and their respective teams, who have worked tirelessly to secure this site for Switch.
"Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, which have resulted in the ground-breaking ceremony being postponed until March 18, we look forward to commencing construction imminently and seeing our first buses in production within the next 12 months."
The new centre will produce Switch's first battery-electric bus designed specifically for the European market. Further details on the product, which is expected to be 12m, is due in Q2 of 2022.
ShuttleID add-on brings live tracking, real-time ticket scanning
School bus pass and ticketing platform ShuttleID has launched a driver app that delivers live vehicle tracking and real-time ticket scanning data within a single system.
Following a successful trial with several operators, the LIVE add-on is now available to those that “want to develop or maintain direct relationships with schools and customers, offering the most up-to-date technology to stay ahead of the competition,” says ShuttleID Director Chris Bell.
The add-on allows operators to add value to their services, enhance their safeguarding credentials, provide reassurance to passengers and parents and gain the capability to see from the 'back office' in real time when users are boarding, the supplier adds.
Continues Mr Bell: “Our original system offered operators the benefits of technology for a great price, without the need for a network connection during the journey. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increasing appetite for technology from end users and clients. Our LIVE add-on was the next logical step for our platform.”
Leeds-based Tetley’s Coaches was among the first operators to take part in the trial. It now plans to roll out the ShuttleID LIVE add-on across all its home-to-school services, says Managing Director Ian Tetley.
“We are excited to promote and offer this to both new and existing customers," he explains. "Allowing passengers to track their service has already seen a drop in phone calls to our operations team. It gives passengers peace of mind that services are on their way when we are experiencing delays.
“We are seeing a greater demand from customers for real-time tracking and passenger data not only on our school bus services but also from our corporate clients, with many now requesting these features as standard. ShuttleID ticks so many boxes for us. We could not operate as efficiently as we do without it.”
More information at ShuttleID's website.