Between 7-9 May, the Association of Local Bus Managers (Album) will holds its annual conference in Cardiff. It will focus on the bus as a force for good, with an extensive programme of speakers in store
This year’s Association of Local Bus Managers (Album) conference will be held in Cardiff between Tuesday and Thursday next week (7-9 May). Delegates will be hosted by municipally-owned Cardiff Bus at the Welsh capital’s City Hall.
The conference’s theme is the bus as a force for good. Once again, it promises to be a forum for the transfer of existing ideas and the creation of new ones. Meanwhile, over 50 exhibitors will show the latest products, services and vehicles.
On the Wednesday and Thursday, a strong line-up of speakers will address delegates. Befitting the conference’s focus, they will examine areas that include ways to keep customers and employees at the centre of your business. The focus will also be on connectivity and digital passenger information.
The conference gets off to a start on the Tuesday evening with the customary banquet, although a golf day sponsored by Scania Great Britain will take place earlier at the Royal Porthcawl course.
Business then commences on the Wednesday. The conference will be hosted by Dave Guest, who will be familiar to visitors to Coach & Bus UK and Euro Bus Expo, and a separate programme has been prepared for delegates’ partners who attend, allowing them to see some of South Wales.
Cardiff Bus MD Cynthia Ogbonna will deliver the opening speech. She will be followed by Greener Journeys Chief Executive Claire Haigh and Ray Stenning of Best Impressions. After a break, Department for Transport Head of Buses and Taxis Catriona Henderson will speak. The day will be rounded off by John Clarfelt, MD of Ticketer.
Thursday morning will see addresses from Meera Rambisoon of the TAS Partnership, Transport Focus chief Anthony Smith, Senior Traffic Commissioner Richard Turfitt, Alexander Dennis (ADL) Customer Development Director Keith Watson and BYD Technical Manager Mike Kerslake.
After lunch, matters will conclude with a speech from Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport Ken Skates. The conference finishes with a gala dinner.
Vehicles on show
As ever, the list of suppliers set to attend is extensive. Whether it concerns products, services or vehicles, all will be looking to engage with delegates. ADL, BYD, EVM, EvoBus (UK), Mellor and Optare are all confirmed as having buses on display.
ADL will show a brand-new Enviro400. In partnership with BYD, it will also display a zero-emission Enviro200EV. Both are demonstration vehicles and they showcase the passenger amenities that are available across the Enviro range.
EVM plans to display a low-floor minibus conversion based on the latest-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Mellor will exhibit its 30-passenger coachbuilt Strata Ultra, which is also based on the new Sprinter.
EvoBus (UK) will show a Mercedes-Benz Citaro with the manufacturer’s mild hybrid system. Optare will display a Metrocity with Allison xFE transmission, which it says delivers a 7% reduction in fuel consumption over previous gearboxes.
Products at the forefront
Alfatronix will demonstrate its new Podsole. It is a product that offers both wireless and USB charging within one console. Produced on a single printed circuit board and able to accept 9-32v from the vehicle’s electrical system, and with components encapsulated to protect against dust and moisture ingress, Podsole can be installed onto passenger seating in both OEM and retrofit applications.
In addition, non-slip coil buttons and the positive retention provided by Podsole’s holding method ensure that the user’s device is retained securely, permitting installation in priority seating areas and within sidewalls.
Omnibus, with its team headed by MD Peter Crichton, will focus on innovative developments made over the past 12 months. Attending an Album conference for the first time as an Associate Member, Omnibus will showcase its software, including cloud-based products. It gives schedulers and other users the opportunity to work flexibly from any location.
Timespace Technology will show its new V600 AHD digital video recorder. It can accept up to 20 channels of AHD/SD camera and up to 4 IP camera inputs, The V600 AHD complements Timespace’s existing range and it is available with up to 2TB of recording media, with additional backup SD cards.
Timespace will also show the forthcoming ‘in-browser playback’ aspect of its proprietary LANLink fleet management software, which simplifies the process of viewing and sharing footage.
Ticketer will display its tap-on, tap-off contactless technology, which guarantees that passengers will pay for their actual journey without needing to speak to the driver, along with a solution for demand-responsive services.
Also present among the other exhibitors will be the Transport Benevolent Fund to explain the benefits it brings to staff, and Forest Asset Finance. Ample time is given between speakers on both days to allow delegates to visit those suppliers that interest them.
Further details of the Album conference programme are available on its website, www.albumbus.co.uk
Album conference 2019: Exhibitors
21st Century
Actia
Alexander Dennis
Alfatronix
Allison Transmission
Backhouse Jones
BYD
Camira Fabrics
Datik
E P Morris
EvoBus (UK)
EVM
Fältcom UK
First Corporate Clothing
Fivebars
Forest Asset Finance
Flowbird Transport Intelligence
Freeway Fleet Systems
Groeneveld
Hanover
HJS Emission Technology
Icomera
Init
Invertec
Isringhausen
Kneitz
Lazzerini
McKenna Brothers
Mellor
MiX Telematics
Muirhead
Omnibus
Optare
Optimum
Passenger Technology Group
Passenger Lift Services
Pelican Bus and Coach
Powersystems
Premier Pits
PSV Glass and Glazing
Q’Straint
Scania Great Britain
Servision
Smartdrive
SURE Transport
Synectics
TEK Seating
Ticketer
Timespace Technology
Traffilog
Transport Benevolent Fund
Traveline Cymru
UK Bus Awards
Voith
Wheely Safe