Stagecoach South West

The Client Stagecoach UK Bus is part of the and is one of the largest bus operators in the UK, operating express and local bus services across the country with a fleet of over 8,000 buses, including 300 in the South West.

Stagecoach has invested nearly £300 million in new state-of-the-art vehicles over the past four years with all new buses being designed to be fully accessible to elderly passengers, people with disabilities and families with young children, plus meet strict emission standards.

Stagecoach is a major employer, providing jobs for 18,000 people at a number of regional companies.

The Challenge Stagecoach had been using an aging legacy analogue system which was no longer fit for purpose and did not meet its goal of putting its customers first and improving passenger information and overall customer experience. Furthermore, the frequency Stagecoach had been using was being taken over for digital use.

The Solution Premier Communication Electronics (PCE) provided the following:

 Fixed radios  Repeaters  Dispatch software  New Ofcom VHF licence  Programming, installation, training and ongoing support with technical advice

The fixed radios PCE installed are the market leaders in two-way digital radio for businesses that reply on professional communication to ensure their day to day operations run smoothly. These digital fixed mobile radios deliver double the capacity, improved audio clarity and integrated data applications. continued overleaf

These features have been enhanced further with the strategic placement of the three repeaters in to ensure the drivers can contact the depots from wherever they are on their routes in the , , and areas.

The radio solution includes software to help the dispatch depot managers monitor all calls to its radios. It is also primed for the future with data platform capabilities and the potential to integrate with advanced features, such as IT-enabled applications.

PCE processed the paperwork to apply for a new VHF-licence for Stagecoach.

The Result PCE’s skilled engineers deployed the new solution during a three-month period to fit in with the day to day requirements of West’s busy schedule.

Stagecoach South West committed to an investment to migrate to a digital radio system that will enable its employees to benefit from improved communications between its buses and depots and this has now completed successfully.

This entire solution gives Stagecoach South West clearer audio quality and improved coverage. Furthermore, as a digital radio solution, it will offer privacy from potential scanners, as well as extended battery life.

Stagecoach South West’s customers can be safe in the knowledge that staff can summon back up and have emergency call capability in response to incidents or unplanned situations as they happen.

Mike Bishop, Stagecoach South West’s Engineering Director, said: “The implementation of this state-of-the-art digital radio system will benefit both our staff and our customers. I’m very pleased to be working in partnership with this locally- based organisation.”