Arriva North West has returned to Michelin as its tyre supplier after signing a five-year deal with the supplier’s Services and Solutions division.
The arrangement includes Arriva’s operation in North Wales. It will see Michelin supply and fit predominantly the X InCity EV Z tyres to the operator’s fleet. That product is Michelin’s first range designed specifically for electric vehicles, but the supplier says that it also works well with other buses. Smaller vehicles with 19.5in wheels will utilise the X Multi Z2 tyres.
Completion of the return deal with Arriva North West means that Michelin tyres are now fitted across all of parent Arriva UK Bus’s over 4,000 vehicles. The group’s Head of Procurement Ian Jones says that Michelin managed the transition from Arriva North West’s previous tyre supplier “very smoothly, and delivered on its promises.”
Michelin has supplied new tyre fitting equipment to each depot involved in the transition, along with inflation cages. “Having Michelin’s tyre technicians providing the service creates greater control and inspires confidence that our tyre strategy is in safe hands,” adds Mr Jones.
Arriva North West will leverage Michelin’s multi-life policy for casings. Once tyres are worn, they are regrooved and retreated as Michelin Remix units and fitted to rear axles. That maximises each casing’s performance, the supplier says.
Speaking about the low rolling resistance and fuel economy benefits offered by Michelin tyres, Mr Jones continues: “We are very happy with the added value they offer.
“The technical support is excellent and we are looking at some other continuous improvements that we can make to help the efficiency of our fleet as we continue to transition from diesel to electric.”
