Those familiar with the blog will know the author is proudly based in Birkenhead, so it's always a delight to see further investment in a local bus operator. Al’s Coaches – or Happy Al’s to many – has been a family-run fixture in the North West since 1972, earning its place as one of the region’s top bus and coach providers.
A host of show highlights have been announced for Euro Bus Expo, the flagship trade show for the bus and coach industry, which returns to the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. The event will bring thousands of operators and local authorities together with over 200 exhibitors representing the entire supply chain.
Bus Ambassador (Tom Harrison)
The highly anticipated line-up will feature more than 80 vehicles from leading manufacturers, the latest innovations and a free seminar programme covering the industry’s hottest topics.
Event director Helen Conway says: “With just over two weeks to go, we are excited to reveal more details about the inspiring public transport leaders and world-class innovations at the show.
“With ample opportunities to network, and to learn how to enhance the passengers’ experience and business efficiency, the show is the place to connect with suppliers, industry professionals and fellow operators.”
Leading industry experts are gearing up to speak at the Masterclass Theatre. Here, visitors can learn about the latest opportunities, challenges, and trends ahead.
Day one (1st November 2022)
The power of persuasion
One of the biggest challenges facing the industry now and in the future is persuading modal shift. Visitors will hear from the world authority on influence and persuasion, and author of two Amazon number one best sellers, Philip Hesketh. He will share insights to inspire operators to win hearts, minds and new customers through understanding our Seven Psychological Drivers.
Understanding your customer
Visitors can find out how to apply this knowledge from marketing strategist and founder of Katchi Marketing, Kate Chidzik. Kate will provide actionable strategies for marketing to different demographics, with a focus on the values-driven, proactive, and digitally native Generation Z. Making up 20% of the UK population, this environmentally conscious segment of the market may hold the key to future industry growth.
Zero Emission Coach Taskforce – Identifying the challenges to destination zero
Transitioning to a zero-emission coach fleet comes with many challenges. The Zero Emission Coach Taskforce bought together coach operators and manufacturers, infrastructure, energy, and finance providers, the DfT, and the Scottish and Welsh Governments to identify them. Hear about their findings from Rebecca Kite, Policy Manager for the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT).
Zero Emission Coach Taskforce – Overcoming the challenges to destination zero
Following this, a roundtable discussion will help to form phase two, which seeks to identify possible solutions, collaborations, and requirements for coaches to transition to zero emission alternatives. The session will be led by the taskforce’s chair Ian Luckett and supported by Dan Hayes from Zemo Partnership, Hafsa Ameen from Zeelo, Sukky Choongh and Will Reeves from SMMT.
Day two (2 November 2022)
Baroness Vere, Under-Secretary of State for Transport
Baroness Vere, Under-Secretary of State for Transport, will open the second day of sessions with a whistle-stop tour of the government’s priorities for the bus and coach industry.
On compliance
Senior Traffic Commissioner Richard Turfitt will be speaking on processing times for O licence applications, and on compliance - including key legislative requirements, common pitfalls, and the importance of continuous professional development.
Working in partnership
Visitors will also hear from Jeff Counsell, MD at trentbarton and Kinchbus. Jeff will share the success story of a local authority and operator ‘Working in Partnership’ to secure £47m of Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.
Tackling the driver shortage
Finding and retaining drivers continues to be a struggle for many operators, but how should they tackle these problems? Richard Grey, MD at Greys of Ely and Alex Hornby, CEO at Transdev will explore the causes, consequences, and possible solutions.
Infrastructure for the future – Starting the conversation
This panel session will outline factors to consider when adopting new infrastructure, including funding, depot planning, power demand profiling, connecting to the grid, engaging with distribution network operators, and installation. Panellists include Dan Hayes, Zemo Partnership; Michael Kent, Enel X; Daniel Hilson, Evenergi; and Neil Madgwick from UK Power Network.
3 November 2022
Advantages and disadvantages of ZEV for SME’s
ALBUM members Jane Cole from Blackpool Transport and Austin Blackburn from Go Coach will be speaking on the pros and cons of zero emission vehicles for small and medium sized businesses. They will discuss if there is a route for small operators to follow, and what support is required to avoid higher fares or service reductions.
How can big data deliver better businesses and better services for passengers?
Big data has changed the world around us, disrupting business models and shaping new ways of delivering services. This session examines its potential impact on the sector, and how it can be used to make operations more efficient, profitable and productive. CPT Cymru’s director Josh Miles will be speaking to Keith Bradbury, co-founder of innovative coach start-up Ember Coaches, and technology providers including Daniel Chick from Zipabout, and Dave Joshua from Optibus.
Innovation Challenge – The pitches and results
The Innovation Challenge will allow visitors to discover many of the industry's latest product and service developments. Exhibitor entries will be displayed at the Innovation Challenge Gallery, where visitors will vote for their favourites on the first two days of the show. Suppliers of innovations with the most votes will deliver a 90-second pitch of their products and services to attendees and a panel of judges on day three.
Judges include Phil Hitchen, MD of Belle Vue Coaches; Chloe Leach-O’Connell, MD of Leach-O’Connell Consultancy; Jon Eardley, MD at Abellio London; Tom Morgan, Group Commercial Director at trentbarton; and Josh Miles, Director CPT Cymru. The results will be announced at 2.30pm.
Innovation Challenge entries:
All in One ‘Wedge’ MIMO Bus, Coach & Tram Antenna, from Antenna and Cables: A low profile, “future proof” antenna exclusively designed for the commercial transport industry.
All-In-One Validation & Retailing Ticketing System, from TransMach Systems: An all-in-one solution to help reduce fare dodging, retailing tickets, and digitalise manual forms and waybills.
AssetGo, from AssetGo Fleet & Compliance Management: A SaaS-based software platform that helps to streamline fleet operations and manage compliance.
BetterFleet, from Evenergi UK: A platform to plan, optimise and manage zero-emission vehicle fleet transition.
Camira Print, from Camira Transport Fabrics: A “cutting edge” digital print solution that delivers the ultimate in design and manufacturing freedom in bus and coach interiors.
Customer Resolution Centre, from Omnibus: A system to efficiently manage and resolve customer feedback that automatically collates enquiries into a central location.
Driver's Mate, from DriveTech (UK): Animations for drivers about safety at the wheel and best on-road practice for checking the vehicle and looking out for customers.
Evolve, from CitySwift: Evolve blends GPS, scheduling and ticketing data to deliver AI-powered runtimes that drastically improve journey speeds and service dependability.
Hekaton, from Zenobē: Software that collects and analyses data, allowing fleet operators to minimise ‘peak power’ and energy costs while increasing operational efficiency.
Journeo Portal, from Journeo: Combines data, remote access/live monitoring and insight from critical on-vehicle systems and fleet/service management tools in one platform.
MiX Vision AI, from MiX Telematics Europe Limited: A dashcam solution that uses machine vision and ADAS technology to monitor risky driving behaviours.
Monapass, from Flowbird Urban Intelligence: A MaaS app with many features, including account-based ticketing, secure in app m-tickets storage, integrated journey planning and more.
NotLost, from NotLost: A cloud-based SaaS lost property solution developed for Transport for London to enhance its passenger experience and explore improvements in intensive processes.
On-Demand Route Tracking, from BusWhere: Riders can ask for a pickup at any location. Rider and driver information is automatically shared, and the rider can see the bus on its way to pick them up.
Pedal Acoustic Feedback System, from Ardent: A feedback system that plays an audible tone to the driver whenever the accelerator is pressed to prevent incidents involving misapplication of pedals.
Run Out Accelerator, from Freeway Fleet Systems: Defects reported by drivers during first-use checks are captured electronically and pooled with defects already listed to minimise disruption during morning run-outs.
Scenic Buses, from Mangopear Creative: A website showcasing the many great bus routes in Britain, with timetables, route maps, tickets and information on things to do along the way.
Stratio Predictive Battery Analytics, from Battery Cortex Project: Research conducted by Stratio with Caetano Bus and the University of Halmstad to offer a more advanced set of metrics for electric buses.
The Cloud Workshop, from Tranzaura: An all in one, connected digital platform that optimises the efficiency of compliance, safety and maintenance within a workshop environment.
The Connected Workshop, from Freeway Fleet Systems: Data from mobile devices and onboard vehicle sensors is transmitted live to a central hub that holds all fleet maintenance data.
Ticketer’s Smart Gateway, from Ticketer: Enables the Ticketer ETM to deliver fully integrated and richer solutions and data, for example by displaying occupancy data onto destination blinds.
TM Guide App, from EOS Training: This industry-first product will provide transport managers with the latest compliance on the go, replacing the requirement for material-based publications.
TransXChange Studio, from Elydium: An affordable cloud-native subscription service that makes timetable verification simple. No software installation is required, and there are no setup fees.
Wheely-Safe, from Wheely Safe: An in-motion wheel loss detection system, incorporating brake and hub temperature monitoring with an intelligent TPMS.
To register for a free trade pass to attend, visit eurobusxpo.com/.
Free coach transfers to Euro Bus Expo
Zeelo
Free of charge coach transfers, sponsored by Zeelo, will be running to and from six locations including Brighton, Cardiff, Colchester, Liverpool, Portsmouth and York across the three days. Attendees interested in picking up these services en route to and from Birmingham are encouraged to complete the online booking form, as additional pickups will be arranged based on demand. To book, visit zeelo.co/rides/zeelo-eurobus-2022.
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