Scania UK and RNLI agree three-year strategic partnership
Scania UK and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have agreed a three-year partnership that will involve the commercial vehicle supplier working with the charity on fundraising activities and continuing its support in other areas.
The agreement will see Scania UK and RNLI become strategic partners in a move that Scania UK Managing Director Chris Newitt says is “a privilege” for the business.
Announcement of the collaboration came on 4 March, the day that RNLI commemorated its 200th anniversary and also on which Scania UK acknowledged its 60th birthday.
In addition to fundraising work by Scania UK, the business will continue to supply engines for Shannon-class lifeboats. They form part of RNLI’s 449-strong fleet that operates from 238 lifeboat stations. Scania engines also power the charity’s Shannon Launch and Recovery System vehicles.
Continues Mr Newitt: “To celebrate your bicentenary is some achievement, and at Scania, we can play our part in helping RNLI to save lives for another 200 years through fundraising and continued support.
“Our shared values and ability to bring people together is what makes this such a great partnership.”
RNLI Director for Engineering and Supply Jamie Chestnutt adds: “Scania and RNLI’s longstanding supplier relationship is a testament to the partnership we have built today.
“This multi-year partnership sees Scania not only continue to provide the Shannon-class lifeboats with the engines we require to operate around the coasts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, but also raises funds to support the organisation’s vital work as we look to build our lifesaving capacity for another 200 years.
“We are delighted to extend the scope of our relationship and we look forward to furthering operational efficiencies and understanding sustainable powertrain development while championing the work we do both on and off the water, and our commitment to saving lives at sea.”
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Freeway joins 12th IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge as a technology partner
As a company committed to excellence, innovation, and advancing the standards in Fleet maintenance, Freeway will play a key role at the much-anticipated 2024 IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge. As a returning sponsor, Freeway will be introducing a digital inspection module, which strongly aligns with the IRTE Skills Challenge core values of:
- Upskilling competitors: Freeway will provide online training in advance and hands-on training with their digital inspection module to help participants learn how to carry out an inspection fully digitally
- Sustainability and Safety: As the transition to digital inspections reduces paper waste, it enhances accuracies and ensures data and communication integrity. This hands-on experience can boost their skills and prepare them for the evolving demands of the engineering industry.
Freeway's continued dedication exemplifies their commitment to driving innovation in the transportation industry. This embodies the goal of the Skills Challenge which is to recognise and celebrate the exceptional skills of bus and coach sector professionals.
The IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge, slated to take place between the 3 -7 June at the S&B Automotive Academy in Bristol, is a national event that showcases the best talents in the industry, bringing together professionals from across the UK to demonstrate their prowess in various technical and operational aspects. Last year saw entries from some of the leading operators such as Arriva, First Bus and Go Ahead alongside regional companies Lothian and Trentbarton.
Emma Thompson, Head of Business Operations, Society of Operations Engineers, says: "We are thrilled to welcome Freeway as a sponsor for the 2024 IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge. Its commitment to innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with the values of our event, and we are proud to have it on board.
"This partnership not only enhances the overall experience for our participants but also reflects the shared dedication to advancing the standards of professionalism and skill development within our industry."
This sponsorship underscores SOE’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning, safety, and performance within the bus and coach industry.
Adds Patrick Tandy, Managing Director, Freeway: "We are thrilled to return to the IRTE Bus and Coach Skills Challenge as a premium sponsor. This event is a testament to the exceptional skills and dedication of professionals in the coach and bus industry, and we are honoured to be a part of it.
"At Freeway, we share a passion for advancing the standards of excellence in transportation, and this sponsorship allows us to support and engage with the talented individuals who drive innovation in our field."
Ardent ClearConnect hearing loop meets Accessible Info Regs
Ardent has introduced what the supplier says is an innovative induction hearing loop system called ClearConnect. It enables deaf users of scheduled coach and bus services to receive information including next stop announcements and driver communications direct to their hearing aids, satisfying Accessible Information Regulations requirements where appropriate.
The system has been trialled with Brighton and Hove Buses, where 15 deaf passengers from The Royal National Institute for Deaf People gave it a thumbs-up.
Contacta is the company behind design of ClearConnect. Market Development Director Andrew Thomas – who is also Chair of both the International Hearing Loop Manufacturers Association and the International Hearing Access Committee – notes that a well-functioning hearing loop “can be life-changing for users of bus services.”
Adds Mr Thomas: “We have worked with end users, vehicle manufacturers and service operators to ensure that the system is highly effective and meets the international performance standards for hearing loops.
“Minimising unwanted sound interference is key, so that those tuning into the hearing loop to obtain vital information can hear clearly. By doing so, we can help service providers to fulfil their accessibility obligations.”
Accessible Information Regulations compliance requirements for in-scope services are staged, with an initial deadline of 1 October applying to vehicles first used to provide local services on or after 1 October 2019. The Regulations will apply in their entirety from 1 October 2031.
Speaking about ClearConnect, Ardent Head of Sales Emma Kirk says: “It is vital that the correct equipment is in place. Subpar systems and a failure to invest in levelling up a customer’s experience can serve as a sign that inclusivity is not high on a provider’s agenda, reflecting poorly upon a company’s reputation.
“That is why, at every stage of ClearConnect’s design, we have put the passenger at the forefront – creating a system that is fit for purpose and which uses the latest technology to ensure the best possible user experience.”
Accessible Information Regulations here.