technology

The introduction of new technology has transformed our bus maintenance operations thanks to the rollout of new digital software supplied by Freeway Fleet Systems. 

Over 700 digital devices are connected to a series of operational and management systems for our complete fleet, maintained at our depots across the North of England. 

Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, our Freeway digitised engineering management platform can automatically work out optimum job scheduling and resource allocations based on live data feeds from our drivers, workshop technicians and other staff equipped with mobile devices. 

The system integrates with a number of business support networks, including those used for operations, finance and fuel management. An estimated 200 users feed information into the network, with data gathered from 550 driver-held mobile devices plus 150 further devices across our engineering operations, mostly using rugged tablets.

Excellent support from Freeway Fleet Systems enabled a proof of concept in our Harrogate workshops to be smoothly rolled out in just three months – and with the system now in place across our operating centres, we are already seeing the benefits in efficiency terms. 

With Freeway, we have dramatically lower administration costs, improved quality control and can secure better value price deals through corporate purchasing, with stock shared across our group. 

For the road ahead, we can look at trends, set up key performance indicators to track how we’re delivering and streamline management of warranty claims. We can challenge our suppliers to deliver, backed by instant data analysis. 

It’s faster, safer and consigns paper forms to history – Quickcheck is part of our PowerUp digital engineering revolution. 

Our drivers are now using a specially-designed Quickcheck app every day to perform vehicle checks and log defects before going into service – and once on the road, to report any faults which arise in an instant, making our fleet safer than ever. 

Software supplier Tranzaura has worked with our own engineers to build the Quickcheck app and link it into a single digital platform connecting our buses and maintenance facilities, while generating valuable data on bus fleet performance as we drive forward with PowerUp, our company-wide engineering modernisation programme.. 

A handheld mobile device with the custom-designed Quickcheck app pre-installed is fitted in a secure cradle on board each bus, offering drivers one-touch instant access to a daily pre-service check process, and to our in-service defect reporting portal.  

Up to date records on each vehicle’s defect history and previously logged safety checks are also instantly available through the app, building up a digital data library covering individual buses and the entire fleet. 

The ability to instantly report any defects which appear on the road, including the ability to feed in images from the mobile device’s camera using Quickcheck, is a major step forward for us. Engineers at our depots can see instantly what the problem is, and be prepared to carry out repairs as soon as the bus returns to base – resulting in buses spending less time awaiting maintenance and more time in service. 

As well as improving on-the-spot efficiency, the app-based reports are fully integrated into Freeway, our digitised engineering management platform. 

Joining these online systems together is giving us an instant view of how our fleet is performing, as well as access to in-depth compliance, safety, and engineering statistics. For the longer term, this will build a detailed picture of vehicle performance characteristics, helping to inform decisions on fleet replacement and maintenance. 

When it’s time to go, you need Transdev Go, our free app that makes the going easy on all our buses across the North of England. 

Across our whole network, from Preston and Manchester in the west to Scarborough and Whitby in the east, one in five of our customers are using tickets bought on the app – rising to four out of 10 in some locations, making it the most popular way to buy a bus ticket. 

And with our Price Drop ticket available instantly on the app for any single journey in North Yorkshire and Lancashire for just £3 – and even less for trips wholly within West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester – more and more people are discovering why Transdev Go is the way to go. 

Forget fumbling for change, just buy on Transdev Go and scan your ticket as you step aboard the bus – and as well as saving money, you’ll be helping our buses to run on time by greatly reducing the time it takes for everyone to board. 

On average, we sell nearly £1 million worth of tickets on Transdev Go every month – and over half of all our money-saving seven day passes are bought instantly using the app. And it offers much more than just the ticket. 

Transdev Go features a custom journey planner, showing all departures from a chosen location and the route the bus will take to its destination on an easy to read map. Customers can save favourite journeys, stops and routes to make regular trips simpler – and service updates are sent live to the app to alert users to any disruption along the way. 

Meanwhile app users can see at a glance how busy their bus is before they board and track its progress along its route in real time. The app also features handy information on the bus itself, stating whether it’s a single or double decker, and lists available facilities such as Wi-Fi or USB power connections as well as the types of payment accepted.  

There’s even updated guides to fun things to see and do, and how to get there by bus – while regular travellers can save money with exclusive 12 journey tickets or bundles of five or 10 day tickets, available only on Transdev Go and the bus firm’s website. 

We’re constantly working with our supplier, Rise Digital Media, to develop Transdev Go into an exciting retail and information hub. 

The team at Rise have extensive experience in the field, including with their own fully integrated BusHub Mobility Platform app, as well as creating web-based products for several UK bus operators. 

Inspired by our customers’ valued feedback, we’ve improved the bus tracker feature on Transdev Go, which allows users to see where their bus is in real-time right across our networks. 

We’ve also updated individual service descriptions to make them clearer and easier to follow – and we’ve improved timetables for groups of routes which we operate under a single brand name – including Coastliner 840 and 843, the 1 in Harrogate and Knaresborough and Mainline M1 to M6 in and around Burnley. 

And that’s not all – we have exciting plans for further improvements to our app – so please keep watching for more information! 

 

Keeping you informed as you travel is something we at Transdev are passionate about.  

We’re among the UK bus industry’s pioneers in delivering constantly updated information for your journey, using the most up-to-date audio and video presentation to keep you in the know as you go. 

Take our new zero emission electric buses on The 36, our premium route linking Harrogate with Leeds and Ripon, and you’ll see full colour high definition information screens on both decks, supplied by global technology leader Navaho Digital Transport Solutions. 

For over 25 years, Navaho has been leading the field in digital signage, serving iconic transport networks and brands around the world, based on the custom designed ‘InformAll’ platform. 

Our state-of the-art screens show constantly updated live bus times – including connections to other bus and train services at key interchange points throughout the journey. 

On the lower-deck, there’s a forward-facing screen especially for our customers using the two wheelchair bays – promoting independent mobility by keeping making information accessible to all. 

The high-tech screens work seamlessly with existing on-board bus systems and are constantly receiving over-the-air updates – and our advanced information displays can also be found on our electric buses in and around Harrogate, plus in Lancashire on The 1 between Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton, and on our Witchway express linking Burnley, Rawtenstall and Manchester. 

Talking of Witchway, as one of our most popular branded bus routes, it deserves star quality for its audible announcements. That’s why we chose popular actress Jennie McAlpine, better known as Fiz Dobbs in ITV soap Coronation Street, to tell you everything you need to know for your journey. 

We’ve also invited our customers to take the spotlight, with audio announcements on our Mainline routes in Burnley provided by regular travellers Dave Metcalfe and Emma Taylor, and on The 1 by customers Ian Slack and Kara Rhodes-Gilrane. 

Above all, your safety is our number one priority. That’s why our drivers can count on technology-driven navigational support warning of low bridges and other road access restrictions, such as weight limits, if we need to make a diversion. 

All our buses are fitted with a range of audio and visual CCTV cameras for your on board safety, and can be used by local police for wider surveillance. Customers rate our on board safety record with us very highly, including when travelling at night.  

The flow of information continues for our drivers, as our Greenroad telematics system allows our drivers to be fully aware of their fuel efficiency and general driving performance, with an in-cab dashboard display and a bespoke colleague mobile app. We have preserved thousands of gallons of fuel in the process since we helped design this system, and it continues to help us provide smooth and environmentally conscious driving standards.