The operator has decided to adopt the system as standard across its fleet after a successful trial
Erith-based Abbey Travel is installing Wheely-Safe technology across its fleet of coaches to improve compliance and efficiency. The operator is in the process of equipping 20 Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches and five Yutong midi-coaches with Wheely-Safe Connect, after being impressed with the results of an initial trial.
Transport Manager Steve Woodall said he was drawn to the technology having experienced a series of mysterious punctures. “We had lost three inner back tyres in quick succession, and we couldn’t figure out why. It turned out that the wheel nut covers had loosened and fallen between the tyres, causing slow punctures over time,” he explains. “I had never encountered this problem in all my years in the business. To have something fitted now that alerts us to any issue with both the wheel nut and the tyre pressure as early as possible is a real benefit.”
Wheely-Safe technology combines tyre pressure monitoring with wheel loss detection, as well as brake and hub temperature monitoring. The latest generation system enables data to be transmitted to the driver in the cab and to the transport management team back at the operator’s depot. Abbey Travel has already installed the system on eight vehicles in its fleet, with plans to complete the installation across all vehicles during regular MOT servicing.
“It’s incredibly easy to fit – it only takes about an hour and a half to install on each vehicle,” added Steve. “It’s a no-brainer when you consider the potential savings. We use premium tyres which cost around £500 each, and the cost of losing three tyres in a month can be devastating for the business. We average about 150,000km per casing so we need them running at their optimal condition.
“The system is working brilliantly – I get alerts directly to my office, and drivers are informed instantly,” Woodall adds. “With the connected system, I can identify which wheel is experiencing an issue, making it easy for the driver to check and resolve the problem promptly. It’s a real peace of mind, especially given our fleet’s heavy usage and the schoolwork we do.”
