Supporting Coach & Bus UK 2017 In partnership with technology exhibitors Inside... Issue 37 Summer 2017 In partnership with Innovations Buses in the app store Go-Ahead launches // contactless in Oxford Industry News Go-Ahead-owned Oxford Bus help mitigate the increased us for some time that they coming months to introduce Company, Thames Travel and transaction costs faced want to be able to pay for further improvements which Carousel Buses are the first by operators introducing their travel as conveniently we hope will help to make our operators to take Ticketer’s contactless payments, as possible – which for many customers’ lives easier.” latest ETMs, with integrated by aggregating multiple means using contactless John Clarfelt, MD of Ticketer, EMV readers for contactless transactions from the same technology. says: “We are delighted that payments. customer together into a “Our research has told after the intensive efforts of It’s believed to be the single debit to their account. us that customers expect all parties working closely largest deployment in the The project is the result of contactless to do more than in partnership, Oxford Bus is UK outside of London of a partnership between Go- just replace their existing cash introducing such an innovative The year is going fast, and technology based on the UK Ahead, Ticketer and Littlepay, ticket – they want the back and customer-friendly option Coach & Bus UK will be upon Cards Association (UKCA)’s a fintech start-up company office to select and pay for the for its passengers. us before we know it. ‘Model 2’. focusing specifically on best value tickets for them, “Oxford Bus can now offer It’s going to be an exciting The new system has the developing micro payment based on their own personal its customers the full gamut show, reflecting the many potential to offer London-style processing services. journey patterns. of payment options and, with homegrown technological “pay as you go” ticketing, with Following the Oxford launch, “We therefore invested our the architecture in place, the developments that are fares calculated – and capped – Go-Ahead is planning to roll time in developing a solution contactless solution released happening around the country in the back office, rather than out contactless payments to which over time will much today is merely the start, not right now. For example, one of by the driver’s ticket machine. its other UK bus operations. better meet the needs of our the end, of a very exciting our lead stories in this issue It is also the first Model 2 to Phil Southall, Managing customers. road ahead. We are extremely concerns Vamooz, a truly have a fully-integrated EMV Director of Oxford Bus “This is just the first step proud to be a part of that innovative app developed reader within the bus ticket Company, Thames Travel and in the deployment of our journey.” by bus company Transdev machine, says Ticketer. Carousel Buses says: “Our new system, and we have Blazefield, working with a The new system is able to customers have been telling ambitious plans over the n www.ticketer.co.uk British technology specialist. It offers crowd-funded day trips – a concept that should not only catch the attention of tech-savvy and cost-conscious younger generations, but also EPM engineering system OmniSTOPdesign offers get them telling their friends about it. gives tools to save time ‘evolution’ in bus stops It follows hot on the heels of Transdev’s CityZap service launched last year, a high- The Engineering Management Other uses Operator CT Plus Guernsey, part but when they made the speed interurban service that System (EMS) from EPM is a of HCT Group, has installed switch to OmniSTOPdesign allows its drivers to choose suite of tools designed to save Recent system developments OmniSTOPdesign after seeing they were instantly able to a fast route based on traffic you time, prevent breakdowns, provide data from vehicle it being tested by Omnibus develop their publicity into far conditions. and ultimately maintain high telematics systems, which can developers last year. more appealing and relevant Also in the news last month, reliability and quality of your be used to: Lee Murphy, Operations products. app provider Citymapper services. n Import mileage data into Manager, was on a training visit The software’s flexibility has trialled a “pop-up” bus route EMS to calculate the fuel at Omnibus HQ in Hollinwood been key for CT Plus Guernsey, in central London over two Industry specific consumption factor for BSOG when he and a colleague were as Lee says: “It enables us to days – again, in partnership claims, submit tyre leasing shown the new software. create a range of templates that Bluestar gets its own with an operator – ahead of its The software package is returns and provide vehicle They instantly realised that it suit the footfall of the particular yet-to-be-announced launch designed specifically for the performance analysis, rather represented a huge evolution in stop. personalised USB points of a full demand-responsive bus industry, with the DVSA in than using the traditional cab bus stop design for them. “For low use stops, we service that will be based on mind, and has been developed or hub odometer readings OmniSTOPdesign is can incorporate adverts. For Go Ahead-owned Bluestar has has provided us with specially- app technology. alongside some of the UK’s n Extract live telemetry now widely used by CT high use stops we can switch teamed up with power supply branded USB points. For years on-demand biggest operators. data from vehicles, to feed Plus Guernsey, along with between simple route numbers company Alfatronix to install “The first of our buses is buses have been the dream The system functionality the defect log and other OmniTIMES, OmniBASE, or destination listings against distinctive USB charging points all fitted and ready to go, for many, and fulfilling that includes an engineering diary key systems with vehicle OmniROTA, Crewplan, OmniMAP each time with just one click.” across its bus fleet. with Bluestar’s distinctive dream has arguably been to manage the maintenance management data to ensure and TransXChange. The new designs have The Southampton operator branding on display – and we’re accelerated by competition schedule, defect cards, stock that engineers have early sight Lee says: “We went to impressed their customers, who was among the first in the delighted by the overall finish. from the likes of Uber. These management, job costing and of vehicle defects, enabling Omnibus last year for some have commented on the clarity country to provide free “It’s the first time these three developments alone Vehicles: Fuel and Miles, which them to adopt a more proactive training, as although we had of the new signs, as well as charging for passengers with personalised charging points show that the future of has been used by the industry for approach to maintenance an understanding of what we the reduction of ‘white space’, smartphones and devices. have been used in the UK, and public transport is perhaps many years and underpins both n Obtain driver behaviour data used on a day-to-day basis, achieved because the system And now it has turned to we’ll be installing them in all not in traditional timetables, BSOG and tyre leasing returns. to feed driver risk scores into we felt that we would benefit plots in a range of adverts to fill Alfatronix for personalised our newest buses, which are prescribed routes and set the Operational Performance from some further in-depth the gaps. plug-in points. due to arrive later this year.” fares. There are different ways Modular Module. knowledge. We saw a demo OmniSTOPdesign has also “We’re keen to ensure our Claire Phillips, Sales Director of doing things, and coach and For further information or a version of OmniSTOPdesign speeded up the process of customers know they can rely at Alfatronix, adds: “We’re bus passengers could really The EMS system is modular, demonstration, contact Nick and I was astonished by the changing displays, and because on us to keep their phones delighted to be working with benefit. enabling one or a combination Brookes on 01527 556940 or flexibility of what the software the system is so easy to use, and tablets topped up when Bluestar in offering this unique of the modules to be used, and it email [email protected]. could help us achieve.” Lee needed minimal training. they travel,” says Bluestar MD branding option.” Jessamy Chapman can also be integrated with third Lee and his colleague were Andrew Wickham (pictured), Innovations Editor party systems. n www.epmorris.co.uk already using OmniSTOP, n www.omnibus.uk.com “and the team at Alfatronix n www.alfatronix.com 2 innovations // XXX Innovations // Summer 2017 3 In partnership with Industry News // Innovations The Kings Ferry adopts m-tickets The Kings Ferry has introduced on board vehicles. better service to commuters company’s own dedicated m-ticketing to its commuter Mobile Onboard’s Corbin while getting data that mobile ticketing app and services, in partnership with Adler says: “Barcode validation enables them to improve installation of mTicketr smart Mobile Onboard. of mobile tickets on buses and their commuter services into ETMs with barcode scanners The system brings mobile coaches is becoming a more London.” on their entire fleet. ticketing and e-ticketing to the common requirement from The Kings Ferry wanted The integrated reporting company, with rapid barcode transport operators. to move towards a cashless and management system validation of mobile tickets “The Kings Ferry recognises payment system with the provides data on ticket sales onboard the vehicles.