Coach and minibus operator Alpine Travel is aiming for maximum compliance with the help of TruTac’s suite of tachograph analysis and fleet management systems. Based in Llandudno, the company was established in 1972 and believes it is the largest independently owned coach operator in North Wales. An accredited member of CoachMarque and the Guild of British Coach Operators, its fleet comprises vehicles ranging from six to 70 seats.
The operator said that compliance is high on its agenda, which is why it selected TruTac’s CPT Tacho Analysis software, designed to help passenger vehicle operators tighten up their fleets and is accredited by the CPT.
“My aim is to have all Alpine drivers compliant to the nth degree, with no exceptions,” said Transport and Compliance Manager, Michael Spotswood. “CPT Tacho Analysis helps in various situations, because I can speak to someone at the organisation if I need a question answered to confirm if I’m on the right track, and it is always good to have an external sounding block to fall back on.”
Michael added that the software has also helped the company to win and maintain business, saying that some of its larger clients had enquired about such accreditations with a view to ensuring a high standard of service prior to commissions and have subsequently become regular customers.
“A lot of bigger customers send us a check sheet before they hire us, to find out if we conform to their requirements. Invariably, they ask if we are accredited by any professional bodies. This can dictate whether certain companies use us just once or multiple times – and we do have a high percentage of returning customers.”
Alpine also uses TruTac’s TruTime software, which monitors employees’ time and attendance for HR purposes. “We are now running our payroll from the accurate driver hours recorded by TruTime, which makes for a smoother operation. The simple to use DigiPostPro boxes easily download digital tachographs to the drivers’ calendar, which is much more efficient than me chasing them every 28 days,” said Michael.
The company is planning to apply for DVSA Earned Recognition status and said that TruTac’s systems will form an integral part of its application.
