Ellisons Travel takes Irizar i8 integral deliveries to 20 with latest pair
Ellisons Travel of St Helens has added two more Irizar i8 integrals to its fleet, supplied by Irizar UK.
Their arrival takes to 20 the number of i8 integrals delivered to the Merseyside operator since the model’s launch in 2016, and to over 40 the total number of Irizar integral coaches supplied across the same timeframe.
Both newcomers are 55-seaters, with each position trimmed fully in leather and with extra padded wings and lateral displacement at aisle positions. Three-point belts are also fitted along with magazine nets, drop-down tables, and footrests.
Ellisons’ customary metallic blue livery has been applied and the coaches have cantrail lighting and black-tinted side windows.
A Bosch Smart Series audio-visual system and twin monitors are included, while the crew gets leather upholstered driver and courier seats, along with a steering wheel finished in the same material.
Power in both coaches is from the DAF MX-13 engine developing 530bhp coupled to the ZF Traxon automated manual gearbox.
The operator has again chosen the camera monitoring system offered by Irizar in lieu of conventional mirrors on the i8. Six of the operator’s coaches now have those cameras; Ellisons Travel was the UK launch customer for that product on the Irizar i8 integral in 2022.
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Pedal monitoring cameras for bus 'should be mandatory': Centrad
Vehicle CCTV specialist Centrad has called for pedal monitoring cameras to be required on all new buses across the country.
If adopted, the step would follow a Transport for London (TfL) mandate for such equipment on new buses and its more recent adoption by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), also on new buses.
Centrad acknowledges that pedal confusion errors are rare but that when made via unintentional application of the accelerator instead of the intended brake, they bring with them a risk of a highly damaging outcome.
TfL’s requirement for pedal monitoring cameras forms part of its Bus Safety Strategy. The cameras are fitted within the cab footwell area and can provide evidence in cases of severe incidents.
The supplier adds that their presence also leads to enhanced driver awareness and a reduction in errors by providing data that can be used for targeted training and safety workshops. In one pedal application error in Greater Manchester, two people were killed.
Centrad Managing Director Geoff Cross says that mandating safety measures such as pedal monitoring cameras by TfL and TfGM “is a step in the right direction,” but not something that should be left there.
“Rather than wait for legislation, the industry as a whole should follow suit and align with TfL’s Vision Zero targets by taking proactive steps to embrace technology that will make a tangible difference in improving driver behaviour, with a view to reducing incidents and deaths in the long run,” continues Mr Cross.
He adds that pedal monitoring cameras represent a cost-effective and simple solution “that is quick to install and delivers clear visual evidence that captures the driver’s foot movements in real-time, giving operators the comfort of knowing that they are operating at the peak of safety standards.
“In fact, the incremental cost of such equipment could be less than £75, which when compared to the potential financial outlay of heightened insurance premiums, fines and even legal fees, is wholly insignificant.”
S&B Automotive Academy turns Totalkare lifts loan into purchase
S&B Automotive Academy has elected to purchase a set of Totalkare vehicle lifts after being impressed with those units initially loaned by the supplier for the IRTE Skills Challenge. They are thus now a permanent fixture in the training centre.
Purchase of the T8DC column lifts forms part of modernisation work of S&B’s offering. Their arrival allows students to get hands-on experience of the latest in mobile vehicle lifting technology, Totalkare says.
It adds that the versatility of the units makes them ideal for educational institutions and professional workshops alike. Each column has a safe working load of 7,500kg and can be configured in sets of four, six or eight. The cable-free units are synchronised by radio and adjustable forks can accommodate a wide range of wheel diameters and hence vehicles.
Speaking about the purchase, S&B Automotive Academy Quality Director Richard Belton says: “Totalkare’s mobile column lifts have really impressed us. The quality and reliability are outstanding, and the cable-free aspect provides excellent flexibility in our training centre.
“These lifts will significantly enhance the learning experience for our students, allowing them to train on equipment that is at the forefront of automotive engineering and a common fixture in vehicle workshops and coach and bus depots across the country.”
Totalkare will support the lifts at S&B Automotive Academy via a comprehensive service package that includes two engineer visits every year as standard.
Says Area Sales Manager James Phare: “We were pleased to support the IRTE Skills Challenge through the loan of our T8DC lifts, which are designed to meet the demanding needs of modern workshops.
“They are incredibly easy to manoeuvre, and the cable-free feature eliminates trip hazards, making the workshop a safer place. We are delighted that S&B Automotive Academy has subsequently been impressed enough with them to purchase the set permanently. It is sure to benefit as the Academy develops the engineers, technicians and workshop managers of the future.”