Bus and Coach Edition issue 02/17

TECH inspector inside

P2. Singapore in Transit

P3. Streamlining HCT’s Operations

P4. Mobile Inspections Apps ABELLIO Keeping GOES On Track TOWER TRANSIT has implemented a new fleet system to analyse the MOBILE operating costs for each of the vehicles and routes it operates. The system – from Freeway - also ensures that all business bids are based on achievable and sustainable contract prices. ABELLIO is introducing smartphone and tablet based electronic job-cards. Denesh Ashok, Head of Carrying almost 120 million passengers a year, Tower Transit’s fleet has increased IT at Abellio, explains that the Freeway element is to almost 450 buses on 24 routes, including 33 hybrid buses and 8 Hydrogen powered focused on optimising engineering and workshop buses. The software captures every single cost – maintenance, repair and running costs, processes. and calculates fuel efficiency. These analyses can be broken down by vehicle, by route or by user-specified period, and the results not only indicate underperformance, but also “We want tablet based inspections to replace highlight the most cost efficient vehicles and the most profitable routes. paper so that defects are immediately and transparently visible throughout the business.” “Freeway generates reports based on a specified date range, per vehicle model, or per route,” explains Eddie Street, Engineering Systems Support Manager, Tower Transit. Abellio is extending its use of the Freeway Fleet “The zero emission buses that we operate on behalf of were put into Management system to provide an additional operation over a complete London bus route, enabling day-to-day testing of the viability 120 workshop users with access to Freeway via of the technology. The system is very responsive, and it’s easy to drill down and analyse smartphone and tablet based electronic job-cards. the data.”

Freeway also captures vehicle servicing and operating defects, and the procurement SEE THE FULL STORY PAGE 2. function enables auto replenishment of parts.

1 ABELLIO GOES MOBILE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1. Freeway

The project builds on Abellio’s seven years of experience in using Freeway to manage / Abellio and optimise maintenance operations and spares procurement for its fleet of more stores than 1,000 London buses. The software is already used extensively by more than 100 staff throughout the Abellio bus business at innovations more than 30 separate stores at 6 London depots. During the last seven years, Freeway has worked closely with Abellio The expansion in the use of Freeway is part to deliver numerous procurement of a wider Abellio IT initiative called Project innovations for more than 100 users Ray Silcox, Senior Diagnostic Engineer Genesis, which incorporates a number including: of business processes. The engineering

inspection and electronic job-cards link directly with the existing Freeway systems - E-mail and smartphone based Singapore in and functionality. authorisation that provides managers with both visibility and control of all Transit Fitters using the tablet based inspections spend. will be able to carry out tasks that are Tower Transit is busy implementing already scheduled by Freeway and will - Extension of procurement processes Freeway’s fleet management solution to be able to ‘request parts’ directly from (order, receipt and invoice matching) analyse the operating costs for each of its the Freeway managed stores. Dynamic from engineering to all company vehicles in Singapore. Under the new S$556 analysis will be extended to include labour purchasing across 30 separate and defect data, and managers will receive million, five-year government contract, departments (including health & additional labour cost reports to augment Tower Transit will run 26 services in the safety, operations, and training at six Western part of the island beginning mid- the automated Freeway stores cost reports that they currently receive. separate depots). 2016, progressively increasing its fleet to 500 buses. - Extending e-mail communication “We provide very comprehensive parts to suppliers from simply sending Tower will also use Freeway’s mobile apps management and costing functions to to conduct vehicle inspections. Drivers Abellio. Project Genesis will mean we can authorised invoices to automating will use the pre-service check app on their extend our offering and provide Abellio with communication related to invoice smartphones to conduct their pre-journey complete vehicle costing analysis, inclusive problems (documenting to the walk-around checks, and engineers will be of all labour costs on a per vehicle and a supplier that an invoice is registered issued with tablets that will facilitate their pence per mile basis,” says Patrick Tandy, for non-payment and the ‘reason’ Managing Director of Freeway. inspections and allow them to photograph that is recorded, such as ‘incorrect

issues that require attention. The data will quantity’, ‘incorrect value’, ‘goods- be automatically uploaded into the system, Denesh Ashok, Head of IT at Abellio, explains that the Freeway element is receipt not recorded’). making the administrative process more efficient and eliminating discrepancies that focused on optimising engineering and - Centralised Invoice-Management may arise from manual updating. workshop processes. “We want tablet based (via Abellio’s Glasgow based inspections to replace paper so that defects Senior Diagnostic Engineer, Ray Silcox, are immediately and transparently visible centralised invoice matching facility) will train a team of 33 engineers and throughout the business. Similarly, we want for Orders raised at any of the London technicians to keep Tower Transit’s fleet defect rectification to be instantly recorded company locations. in tip top condition to meet – and possibly via the Freeway application, so that exceed – the strict service standards Operations has complete and transparent - Integrated Document Management visibility of engineering activity.” imposed on bus operators in Singapore. with smart scan facilities to

Apart from the servicing and maintenance rapidly scan and store supplier Owned by Dutch Railways, Abellio London aspect, Freeway’s procurement function documentation. enables automatic replenishment of parts. & Surrey operates bus services in central, south and west London and across north - Automating management reporting “Because of our previous experience using Surrey. Its fleet of more than 1,000 buses to designated staff who receive Freeway in London, it was fairly simple to operates on 44 routes, all of which are run implement the system in Singapore,” said under contract to London buses. automated reports of daily and Mark Herbert, Head of Engineering. “There weekly spend for each location are a number of things that make Freeway (summarised by Nominal Code and unique; chief among them is the after-sales backed by per-vehicle analysis). support that we’ve received. Having direct communication with Freeway for technical support has been invaluable.”

2 Reading maintains a top class fleet

Reading Buses is using Freeway’s fleet management system to capture and analyse maintenance and repair data for all its vehicles, which operate on various routes in Reading and Newbury. The software is helping the company to maintain a highly efficient mixed fleet and As our requirements have evolved, so Freeway has evolved right along with us,” added consistently achieve high maintenance Batt. “If you asked me what is it about Freeway that makes it unique, I’d say its flexibility standards. and ability to adapt to our needs. There has been nothing we’ve asked for that Freeway couldn’t provide. That’s pretty special.” The bus company eliminates vehicle problems through the Freeway-coordinated inspection programme and service intervals, and by rectifying all defects as soon as they are discovered. The software STREAMLINING HCT’S manages scheduled and ongoing vehicle maintenance, and produces workshop job cards linked to the individual inspection and maintenance histories for each vehicle. OPERATIONS Labour costs on sub-contracted vehicles HCT Group is employing the latest fleet are also captured. management technology to capture and analyse maintenance data for all the Freeway provides stock control, order Group’s 500 vehicles - helping managers to management and fleet asset management. maintain a highly efficient fleet and uphold It also calculates fuel efficiency; integrating a high level of service for its customers. with Reading Buses’ fuel management software so that a complete picture of the The Freeway software keeps track of total running costs per mile for each vehicle maintenance, repairs, parts used and make and model is available for the entire running costs for all vehicles within the HCT fleet. Analysis of all this data can alert Group. The fleet, which includes 14 bendy managers to any under-performance, and buses, 28 double-deckers, 196 single- can also provide a cost-based comparison deckers, five coaches and 201 , between actual and budgeted costs. operates out of ten depots spread across “The information Freeway provides allows London, , the Southwest and the for improved management of our vehicle According to Mike Batt, Purchasing and Channel Islands. assets throughout the Group,” said Mike Facilities Manager, Reading Buses, the Swan, Materials Controller, HCT Group. company was one of the first UK bus The system builds up a detailed history “Freeway correctly allocates costs, and we operators to install the Freeway transport for each vehicle, enabling management can track assets and their history.” management system. “Although not to identify any recurring problems or bespoke to us, Freeway has developed right under-performance. It also calculates fuel “What makes Freeway unique is its alongside us, adding new functionality to efficiency, producing a fuel cost analysis by flexibility,” said Steve Perks, Group Head accommodate our evolving requirements.” vehicle, by route or by user-specified period. of Engineering, HCT Group. “Freeway Such results also provide a cost-based listened to our business needs and adapted “Reading Buses has used Freeway for comparison between real and projected the product accordingly so it meets our more than a decade,” said Patrick Tandy, costs. requirements.” Managing Director, Freeway Fleet Systems. “The bus company’s use of the software Freeway’s fleet maintenance programme “Freeway’s versatility sets it apart from has developed from managing running enables HCT Group’s workshops to plan and other fleet management solutions,” added repairs for older vehicles to keeping a schedule routine servicing, inspections and Swan. “It is also refreshing to work with modern fleet in first class condition. The MOTs. The software provides full visibility of a software provider who listens to and flexibility of the software is achieved by the company’s existing parts inventory and understands our business needs and tailors Freeway’s responsiveness to customers’ helps to control the cost of restocking. development of their programme to meet changing requirements, adding new those needs.” functionality as and when they need it.”

3 FREEWAY NEWS ROUNDUP Partnership News

OMNIBUS Freeway has agreed a partnership with leading Passenger Transport Software supplier Omnibus (find them online at omnibus.solutions). The two organisations will collaborate on a number of fronts, initially in the joint development of mobile phone and tablet based routines aimed at streamlining daily business processes, such as combined driver sign-on and daily vehicle checks. They will also work on live information interchange in areas such as Smarter Apps vehicle availability and location reporting. FREEWAY’S fleet maintenance smartphone apps have been created as an integral Appointments Freeway’s UK Sales and Marketing Manager part of enterprise level fleet management for Coach & Bus, Alan Willson, commented systems, and include engineer inspections, Alan Willson, a familiar figure in the world ‘We are very excited to be working with defect recording, electronic job cards and of passenger transport systems, has joined such a strong industry player such as driver walk-around checks. The apps run on Freeway to develop business in the coach Omnibus. We already have a very fertile any mobile device, and provide a speedy and bus sector. Alan has worked at all levels ‘think-tank’ of ideas based on how we can electronic alternative to paper based of the passenger transport industry for best streamline business processes, and inspections. more than decades, from driver through would welcome engagement from existing Depot Manager to Director. Most recently, and prospective customers as we pursue The simple tick-box style inspection driver he has been assisting operators implement these.’ app eliminates paper forms and ensures sustainable IT solutions that streamline their that drivers complete their pre-journey business processes and improve profitability. WISE checks properly. By guiding drivers through checks and ensuring good working practice, operators are assured that stringent safety procedures are adhered to, reducing risks. Events Roundup

The detailed engineering inspection app, FREEWAY ROADSHOWS meanwhile, incorporates methodology, Freeway is organising a series of regional fail criteria and smart defaults. Reporting seminars over the next few months and is live so work can be allocated for action will be joined by technology partners immediately; it is linked directly to a such as Ominibus and WISE. The first Freeway electronic job-card, which also venues have been booked in Reading provides time-sheet recording. and – please contact Alan Willson on 02393 877 695 or email alan@ WISE Procurement has been appointed as “Our new apps are not conventional mobile freewayfleet.com an Authorised Partner of Freeway. The apps, but they are designed to work as a partnership will give Freeway customers seamless and integral part of the central ALBUM Conference access to specialist advice into other fleet management system,” says Patrick 09 – 10 May 2017 technologies such as mobile devices, Tandy, MD of Freeway. “As data is entered communications, cameras and telematics. The 2017 ALBUM Conference will be hosted into a device, it instantly updates the Freeway MD Patrick Tandy (pictured with by Blackpool Transport at the Hilton Hotel Freeway system for immediate action - Phil Murphy on the right) said, “Phil has in Blackpool. The main conference sessions such as ordering a part and scheduling a lot of knowledge in complimentary and trade exhibition are on Tuesday 9th work. In effect, we are taking Freeway technologies that he can advise on and May and Wednesday 10th May, ending with mobile so more can be done ‘in hand’ in supply through WISE Procurement, which a gala dinner on Wednesday evening. the workplace, whether it be on site, off compares the market for the best deals for Freeway will be exhibiting alongside the site, in the workshop or in the yard. The fleet operators.” mobile working eliminates unnecessary conference, which this year is themed ‘Driving the customer experience’. paperwork, improving efficiency, Recently WISE has undertaken installations productivity and accuracy.” says Patrick Coach and Bus UK of the latest 3G road safety cameras. Tandy, Managing Director of Freeway. Designed to reduce risk and improve safety 04 – 05 October 2017 through live monitoring of journeys and “The mobile inspections can be carried Coach & Bus UK is the new name for instantaneous recording of incidents, the out at any location, so no vehicle down- Coach & Bus Live and runs for two days 3G cameras offer Europe-wide time is required for the inspection. Also, at the NEC, Birmingham, Wed 4 Oct to roaming, risk management, FNOL, if any critical defects are discovered, Thurs 5 Oct. Freeway will be showing the insurance claims there is instant notification to operations, latest developments in fleet maintenance management, and engineering and stores so that any impact software and will be one of 200 exhibitors, driver behaviour on operations can be dealt with,” Tandy with displays of vehicles, technology, and reports. explains. service innovations for the UK market.

4 PRODUCED FOR FREEWAY FLEET SYSTEMS Tel: +44 (0)844 884 3033 Email: [email protected] www.freewayfleet.com