By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Smart tachograph retrofit: Be aware if you are a coach operator
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > Opinion > Smart tachograph retrofit: Be aware if you are a coach operator
Opinion

Smart tachograph retrofit: Be aware if you are a coach operator

Sam Archer - Director, Archway Travel
Sam Archer - Director, Archway Travel
Published: November 25, 2024
Share
Smart tachograph retrofit reminder for coach operators
SHARE

If you are a coach operator that heads over the water, then no doubt you are well underway with your smart tachograph retrofit programme to meet the new EU Mobility Package regulations. If, however, you are reading this and thinking “what the heck is he on about?”, then you could probably do with looking into it in a bit more detail!

As we know, tachographs are getting cleverer. They can now be monitored by a passing vehicle, and rest assured, the French and the Germans will be out checking that your coaches have got the latest generation units, given how they have already announced some hefty fines for non-compliance. That’s not like them though, is it?!

So before the end of December, all vehicles that are currently fitted with analogue or 1B tachographs (early digital models) must be retrofitted with a new Smart 2 tachograph is you intend to cross the border into EU territory.

If your vehicle was built from June 2019 to August 2023, then it will probably have a Smart 1 tachograph. That gives you a slight extension to the Smart 2 deadline to August 2025. But after that date, all vehicles involved in international journeys must be fitted with a Smart 2 unit.

How do I know what version of tachograph is fitted to my vehicle, though? Well, it is fairly simple.

There are only two main tachographs fitted to PSVs and HGVs: The Stoneridge SE5000 – which clearly states on the printer draw if the unit is a Smart 2 unit – and the VDO DTCO 4.1, which uses a small Bluetooth symbol just above the screen to denote Bluetooth capability and in turn be recognised as a Smart 2 unit.

One excellent feature in my opinion is the new unit’s ability to be paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth. Via a compatible app, you can now make manual entries through the app rather than having to enter them through the clunky and, frankly, un-driver friendly menu screens that tachograph units currently offer.

To reiterate the point of penalties for non-compliance, the French authorities have already announced that you can face a whole year in prison and a €30,000 fine should your vehicle not have the correct equipment installed.

The Dutch and Spanish, meanwhile, are both looking at €4,000, while surprisingly the most lenient of them all, the Germans, are offering you the kind opportunity to lose only 1,500 of your hard-earned euros should you not have the right tachograph… but I wouldn’t worry, as no doubt they will get you for your VAT as well!

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
Previous Article Coach accessibility: A time of change ahead for the sector?
Next Article VEV supports Stagecoach with bus electrification VEV to support Stagecoach in bus electrification process
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd