A tailored package of tyre support and attention to detail has helped Bridgestone secure a prestigious bus and coach fleet with East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS)
The Hull-based operator ended a 10-year agreement with a previous manufacturer to work with Bridgestone, after it demonstrated its flexibility in meeting the specific needs of the business.
Bridgestone’s ‘full-fit’ package – where an in-house technician physically removes then re-fits wheel assemblies – was the ideal solution for the fleet, comprising 160 vehicles.
Meanwhile, a ‘super fit’ option was then requested for EYMS’s other depots around the region, with built-up assemblies being sent to the fleet’s own technicians to fit to the remaining 140 buses and coaches.
EYMS Chief Engineer Robert Gibson says: “In effect, we have two contracts with Bridgestone running side-by-side. This was the overriding reason for making the switch from our old supplier. Bridgestone had no issues in meeting our needs in this way. Their all-round service has been absolutely superb.”
In addition, Bridgestone was also able to offer savings on the total contract cost itself, in another significant benefit for the fleet.
EYMS is an award-winning bus company, formed in 1926, that currently runs bus and coach services across Hull, East Yorkshire and the North Yorkshire coast.
The company offers local bus services, coaches for private charter, day trips and holiday tours including in Europe, and also provides coaches for the National Express network in the UK.
Bridgestone’s fleet operations manager Matt Millington said: “To be able to work with East Yorkshire Motor Services is a massive coup for all of us at Bridgestone.
“We do pride ourselves on being able to meet the needs of any commercial fleet, no matter how bespoke their requirements are. We feel we have achieved this here with Robert and his team and we are looking forward to getting to work.”
In addition to developments to Bridgestone’s range of premium products and duel-agreement with EYMS, the company will also be conducting monthly monitoring and inspections of each tyre to maintain optimum economy and maximise safety.
The fleet will have the opportunity to receive all of their inspections electronically via Bridgestone’s T2i inspection system which captures tread depths and any wear issues. The fleet also receives a bespoke monthly damage tyre report to aid in highlighting and ultimately driving down damage tyre costs.
This will allow EYMS to plan expenditure and minimise surprises through full reporting as part of Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Care approach.
Matt added: “Most accounts had a full-fit package where we would physically remove then re-fit the wheel assemblies to our customers’ vehicles. We now offer this and more.
“In some cases, this has changed to a ‘super-fit’ service, where we solely supply the built-up assemblies to our customers, and their engineering staff then change the wheels on their vehicles.
“We thrive on creating the right solution for our customer, so the fact that we have these different service packages, which all still encompass a cradle to grave Tyre service, gives us and our future customers greater flexibility.”
For more information about Bridgestone’s bus and coach range, visit http://www.bridgestone.co.uk/truck-and-bus/
