Supporting Coach & Bus UK 2017 In partnership with technology exhibitors

Inside... Issue 36 Spring 2017 In partnership with

New vehicles (and any // Innovations Technology requiring upgrade) are also fitted with Synectics’ comes alive HD IP delivers hybrid T1600 digital video recorder (DVR). Tower Transit uses Synectics’ integrated clear benefits management platform – News Industry Synergy 3 Transport – to monitor and review the T1600 footage. for Tower Transit Synergy 3 Transport gives Tower Transit a new level of flexibility and technical As camera technology evolves, saw Tower Transit become Synectics demonstrated the capability for managing operators are beginning to one of the first operators to superior image clarity that HD- on-vehicle security and see the benefits of integrating implement forward facing IP IP cameras could deliver, as surveillance, while effectively high definition (HD) IP cameras. well as increased functionality, and efficiently managing its cameras into their surveillance such as the ability to zoom fleet. solutions. Not only is the Making the switch in without quality loss – There’s a clear theme footage they collect more essential for helping drivers Expert guidance once again in this issue of detailed, IP cameras can save Tower Transit has had forward- and operators to see things Innovations: Contactless. operators money in fines and facing analogue cameras fitted in precise detail, including Because the transition to IP is Major bus operators, compensation, while providing to vehicles since 2015. The number plates and cyclist an evolutionary process, Tower including Transdev Blazefield, an unbeatable training tool. cameras capture clear, quality positions on the road. Transit can obtain the benefits Stagecoach, Reading Buses footage from the road in front Tower Transit initially of IP intelligently with change and are now making Thinking big of the vehicle and record vital trialled forward-facing IP happening in line with its own the leap to wave-and-pay data for training, journey cameras with Synectics driven increments. Synectics technology, and reaping The Tower Transit Group analysis, law enforcement and on vehicles in 2015, before offers expert guidance during the benefits of allowing employs 2,930 staff and insurance or other claims – updating its specification to the transition and provides passengers to board without operates 1,030 buses in some which can be reviewed by the forward-facing IP cameras flexible options along the way. any change, and tap on to pay of the world’s most connected CCTV analysts based at the which now appear on every This approach is suitable for for their fare without even and busy cities, where there is depot. new vehicle which leaves the operators of any size, with any caring how much it costs. immense pressure on drivers After reviewing its on- factory. budget. Contactless was almost to transport commuters safely, board surveillance capacity For operators interested made for the bus industry. but quickly. is one and highlighting a number Integrated solution in the future of on-board Such a neat solution to the such city. of instances where footage surveillance and how they problems of paying with cash, With 450 buses operating retrieved from the legacy Installed to the dashboard, can start their own journey including drivers running within the TfL London forward-facing cameras had Tower Transit’s forward-facing integrating with IP, Synectics out of change in their float, framework, Tower Transit not been clear enough to road IP cameras are part of an will be exhibiting in October at is what the industry and its London needed to ensure its rebuke fines or insurance overall on-vehicle surveillance Coach & Bus UK 2017 on stand passengers have been crying use of surveillance technology claims, Tower Transit solution, including analogue N19. out for for a long time. was supporting every aspect of approached Synectics for an interior and exterior cameras, The only real barriers to all operations. Fulfilling that need answer. and driver’s cab monitors. n www.synecticsmobile.com Tower Transit has had forward-facing analogue cameras fitted to vehicles since 2015 bus operators installing the technology now are related to cost. Those barriers will be overcome in time, and that Letsjoin collects phone day can’t come soon enough. Epsom first to use Get Distinctive Systems’ Meanwhile, there are plenty of other digital innovations for data for operators walk-around app free the coach and bus industry to driver comms app get excited about. LetsJoin is collecting on a single journey, ODAN The newly released Distinctive compliance. The very latest in digital Drivers for Epsom Coaches are manage all their requests for and analysing millions of can identify all the points Systems Walk-around Check The app, which is available recording technology, first in the UK to use the new information, so to give them passengers’ smartphone data of interchange ranked by Mobile App is available for both iOS and Android passenger information and Omnibus driver communication access to their own data via points for transport operators. volume and time of day. ODAN without charge to users of devices, guides the driver entertainment, driver walk- app, myDAS Touch. their smartphones seemed an The service is called the can provide a profile of the the company’s Coach Manger through the walk-around check round checking, on-board Epsom has been using ideal solution.” On-Board Digital Analytics passenger base on each route, booking system, Tour Booking procedure and records both wi-fi and more are here now, Omnibus software and found Drivers have been using Network (ODAN). Using and provide key inputs to the System or Vehicle Maintenance the time taken to complete the and they can make a huge myDAS Touch was perfect myDAS Touch since November state-of-the-art plus patent- operator’s passenger wi-fi System. check and its GPS location. difference – and improvement for managing the team of and feedback has been pending technology, ODAN business case, and recommend The app and its supporting Predefined common defects – to an operator’s business. more than 270 drivers more excellent. “The drivers love enables managers to better the equipment which would be back office functionality for each check item help speed Remember that the best efficiently. it” says Ben, “they have understand their customers most suitable for that specific complies with all statutory up defect reporting. There is place to see all these will The app is an integral part much more control over their and their behaviour, both on fleet. walk-around check recording also a free type description be Coach & Bus UK (CBUK) of the OmniDAS driver self- information.” and off-board. LetsJoin has been operating and defect reporting and up to four photographs this October – the new name service module, linking drivers Driver Lauren Scott was first Based on data, managers on for over a requirements. for each defect. Defects can be for the biennial domestic directly with the Omnibus depot to download the myDAS Touch can make better informed year and has started providing In a true industry first, the flagged as completed in the showcase, formerly known as allocation system. myDAS Touch app. She says: “It’s fantastic decisions to improve the other operators with ODAN app’s integrations with Coach back office system along with Coach & Bus Live. allows drivers to access all because now I can check duties, customer experience, identify evaluations. Manager and VMS ensure that a description of the remedial Put the date in your diary their own details, including rota rest days and holidays from cost savings and operational LetsJoin also offers both the traffic office and the work carried out. now – and look forward to and holiday details, from their wherever I am. I can check efficiencies, tailor their operators workshops to help workshop are made aware The back office system seeing all this technology, and phone. the rota and see what my marketing campaigns and them understand on-board of new defects in real time. provides extensive reporting on more, come alive. Ben Mitchell, Operations colleagues are doing so I know deliver a more competitive content, wi-fi monetisation Thereby making an invaluable nil defects, outstanding defects Manager for Epsom, says: if I need to swap duties.” service. and big-data solutions. contribution not only to and completed defects.

Jessamy Chapman “With so many drivers it myDAS Touch: Driver For all journeys where operational efficiency, but Innovations Editor soon becomes challenging to n www.omnibus.solutions Lauren Scott with app customers use multiple routes n www.letsjoin.com also to passenger safety and n www.distinctive-systems.com

2 innovations // XXX Innovations // Spring 2017 3 In partnership with Industry News Innovations //

Icomera to showcase next generation passenger wi-fi and vehicle comms technology

Icomera will show the next M-Series routers. This will Journey has many benefits critical data applications generation of connectivity for give coach and bus operators for transport operators and in one place, resulting in a onboard wi-fi at CBUK. and manufacturers access to the wider public, ultimately streamlined service and a Using patented market the more advanced hardware improving the onboard reduced cost. leading technology to provide and software platform, experience and attracting new “Implementation of an onboard connectivity that can meet the business passengers. Icomera’s connectivity solution solution, Icomera has been requirements of operators on Dave Palmer, Managing covers all areas including: delivering internet connectivity any scale. Director of Icomera UK, says: design, provisioning, project for passenger transport since The new hardware “As the need for passenger management, installation, 2002, now supporting millions generation allows Icomera to wi-fi increases, it is important commissioning, extended of wi-fi users every week, tailor a connectivity solution that people can be connected warranty, and aftersales across the globe. to best fit the immediate and wherever they are. The Icomera support services for both Icomera’s new high long term needs of a public platform enables operators operators and passengers.” performance routers will transport operator. to have both passenger follow on from the successful Creating a Connected communication and mission n www.icomera.com

KATE set to launch at CV Show

The latest and industry unique official unveiling to the public compliance and best practice communication to the specific transport safety solution from at this year’s CV Show in will always at the front of a form of media operators wish Tranzaura – KATE - an acronym Birmingham. driver’s mind. to use. All of this content can for Knowledge, Awareness, As the third module of the KATE enables advanced then be pushed to individuals, Training and Education, Tranzaura Safety Hub (Vehicle scheduling of training content, specific groups or all users. developed specifically to and Driver Compliance being whether on a daily, weekly The official launch will take improve Driver’s safety the other two), KATE is an or monthly basis, and is place at the Tranzaura stand and performance through easy to use software platform highly configurable to suit a (5C97) on day one of the CV increasing their knowledge designed to complement wide range of operations and Show, 25 April at 1200hrs. and awareness of role specific and enhance current training training objectives such as best practice, will see its processes, ensuring safety, induction, training, safety, and n www.tranzaura.com

4 Innovations // Spring 2017 In partnership with Innovations // Innovations Operators assess off- Reading goes bus revenue streams Industry News Industry Industry News contactless Operators are able to assess revenue needs to be captured. off-bus revenue streams Operators have disparate data more effectively thanks to sources for each of the off-bus with Ticketer functionality within the EPM vendors they work with, which Depot Performance System. needs to be consolidated and There is a rapid increase related to traditional on-bus

Innovations // Ticketer has developed a new of contactless payment in off-bus sales across the ETM data. wave-and-pay system to enable technology on Reading’s bus industry. The traditional cash With interfaces to all ETM Reading Buses to offer the UK’s network is great news for the to driver transaction is now vendors in the UK bus market first town-wide contactless bus many passengers every day fast being replaced by cashless already established, EPM network outside of London, who use them around the technology solutions that have has reacted to the shift to and to become the first town. advantages for both customers off-bus payment methods by independent bus operator to go “I’m delighted to see and operators. providing functionality within 100% contactless. Reading Buses giving travellers These off-bus solutions its ETM Analysis module, which Reading Buses is Ticketer’s the choice to pay for their encompass smartcards; automates the import of off- first customer to go journey using a smartcard, including preloaded products bus revenue streams from both contactless. contactless payment card or and e-purses; mobile devices HOPS and mobile providers. The Ticketer system now phone, making bus travel more and more recently contactless Contactless payments can includes an integrated card convenient, cutting queues payments on-bus, which is now also be analysed, with these reader for all card types, and speeding up journeys, as expanding across the UK. transactions differentiated for whether contactless bank card, well as ensuring they get the While this technology has revenue reporting. ENCTS concessionary pass or cheapest fare.” given passengers an increased This provides EPM customers other ITSO smartcards as well The Ticketer contactless amount of flexibility in with a centralised and more as Apple and Android pay. system on Reading Buses purchasing tickets for travel, it complete picture of their Martijn Gilbert, CEO of works on a ‘retail’ model, has also meant that operators revenue, which can be analysed Reading Buses, says: “We whereby you state your fare, UK’s first interactive have a number of different with existing EPM reporting have been working hard and ask to pay by contactless, and revenue streams to control and tools.

investing in upgraded ticketing then present your card to the travel information point Martijn Gilbert (l): ‘Final part of report on. systems with Ticketer. reader, similar to buying food three-part digital ticketing strategy’ In the first instance this n www.epmorris.co.uk “Contactless is the final on the high street. launched in Worcester part of our new ‘three part’ The company is now working digital ticketing strategy on a ‘tapping’ model for the which includes the use of ‘QR’ £2 flat fare in its central 21st Century has launched an points, filter the results by bus barcodes on paper tickets and ‘simplyReading’ flat fare and innovative new Information types and times, and even view the Reading Buses app, with hopes to launch this even Point for Worcestershire the walking route. The display integrated journey planning, easier and quicker way to pay County Council that marks an also shows latest travel news, live bus tracking and mobile in the coming months. evolution in on-street way- details on local amenities such tickets, all on one platform. John Clarfelt, Ticketer’s finding technology. as toilets and car parks, and “Contactless offers a great Managing Director, says: “This Manufactured by 21st allows users to “see inside” way for new or occasional is a really exciting day for us. Century, with software buildings such as shopping users to pay on the day Our team has been working on developed both in-house and centres. without the hassle of the exact contactless for our customers in conjunction with SmartNe, The first iPoint of its kind is fare or needing to download for some considerable time, the iPoint combines fully located at the bus stops next the app.” as we are keen to offer integrated, real time travel to Worcester Cathedral. Its Parliamentary Under passengers the greatest information, with local points content also includes historical Secretary of State for choice of payment options, to of interest. facts and figures about famous Transport, Andrew Jones MP, minimise barriers to travel.” Users can plan journeys landmarks and heritage sites. was at the launch in Reading. by using the touch screen to He says: “The roll-out n www.ticketer.co.uk select departure and arrival n www.21stplc.com

Alfatronix’s top-spec USB chargers on the rise

With wi-fi increasingly charger spec 1.2, ensuring the and voltage spikes on the seat to major producers such available on public transport, output is always configured vehicle. as Isringhausen and Lazzerini. passenger accessible charging to safely charge any device The roll-out of Alfatronix In addition, many facilities are becoming more attached. USB chargers is underway with manufacturers now install the and more popular. The chargers are designed major bus operators, including unique Alfatronix front-fitting The Alfatronix USB charger and tested to a high standard Go-Ahead London for its BYD option in the sidewall of the design incorporates automatic and meet Crib 7 specification electric vehicles, the first vehicle, or under the passenger voltage adjustment to for passenger seating in London operator to make this seat. compensate for the level of London. The safety and move. Alfatronix has 35 years’ charge in the device battery, reliability considerations Part of Alfatronix’s success experience in innovative thus maximising the charger will ensure long-term high has to been to supply its super engineering. performance. performance, not to mention slim design for the installation This complies to battery protection against transients into the back of the passenger n www.alfatronix.com

6 Innovations // Spring 2017 Innovations // Spring 2017 7 In partnership with

Bringing the bus and coach industry together

Venue: Hall 17/18/19, NEC, Birmingham Transdev began contactless roll-out last summer Opening hours: 4 October: 0930-1700hrs 5 October: 0930-1600hrs

Open to trade visitors and press only

Contact: Parkeon harnesses Martin Laverton Group Sales Manager t: 01733 405735 the power of digital e: [email protected] www.coachandbusuk.co.uk Seamless, integrated, technology strategy is one of the services they receive value-adding… the power the ways Arriva is removing to meet their individual of data when aligned to barriers to travel wherever requirements, for example digital technology is having they exist, and improving the through account-based a transformative effect on passenger experience. Arriva ticketing and personalised the UK’s public transport has also developed a mobile travel information.” landscape. ticketing app, making it even In addition, Parkeon’s From contactless EMV to easier for passengers to buy digital pathway for transport new retail platforms and cloud- mobile tickets before they operators will integrate back Jessamy Chapman based back office architectures, board. office, payments, hosting and Innovations Editor systems specialists Parkeon inspection requirements while t: 01733 405744 Transportation is harnessing ‘Just the beginning’ simultaneously providing e: [email protected] the benefits of the digital era bespoke analytics to sharpen to optimise operator efficiency The application of digital marketing activity and improve Daniel Lunn and improve the end-to-end systems on- and off-bus is scheduling decisions. Sales Manager experience for passengers. positioning Parkeon at the t: 01733 405734 The award-winning company forefront of technologies that ‘Increasingly popular’ e: [email protected] is the preferred automatic fare will help deliver the industry’s collection technology partner vision of contactless travel In addition to working with Steven Black for many public transport across the board by 2022. Arriva, Parkeon has partnered Senior Sales Executive operators across the UK, and “But contactless is just with Transdev Blazefield for t: 01733 405731 most recently played a pivotal the beginning of the digital the roll-out of its contactless e: [email protected] role in two of the biggest and revolution,” says Owen Griffith, scheme in Yorkshire. most innovative contactless Managing Director of Parkeon Says Owen Griffith: Jade Cassidy schemes outside of London. Transportation. “Transdev Blazefield has Sales Executive Working with its long-term “We’re now working on started on a journey that will t: 01733 405740 customer Arriva, Parkeon new architectures that will enable customers to access e: [email protected] developed and applied make ticketing truly seamless services more easily using a contactless payment systems for end users through fully payment methodology that is Phil Robinson via its Wayfarer200 ticketing integrated platforms capable becoming increasingly popular Graphic Designer platform – utilising the new of bundling apps, payment in every area of daily life. Axio 4c secure card reader – on options and automatic ‘best- “The use of contactless bank buses serving the North East. fare’ functionality into one cards alongside Apple Pay and The rollout started with bus holistic solution. Android Pay on mobile phones passengers in the Tees Valley “This will not only make offers an improved passenger Diversified Communications UK Ltd, Unit 4, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, and will be available on all of multi-modal travel easier for experience which I hope will Peterborough PE2 6FT Arriva’s 491 buses in the North individuals than ever before, encourage more people to East by Easter. with the environmental travel by bus.” www.divcom.co.uk This investment in benefits that this brings, it © Diversified Communications UK Ltd 2017 contactless as part of a digital will also enable them to tailor n www.parkeon.co.uk