routeone subscribers and a panel of industry judges have determined which products launched in the 12 months to November 2023 are Innovation Challenge winners.
Hosted by Dave Guest, former Chief Reporter on BBC Northwest Tonight, the virtual Challenge saw 11 innovators pitching their new product developments. Participants had just 90 seconds to explain to the judges why their product is one operators should invest in.
The judging panel included: Phil Hitchen, Managing Director of Belle Vue Manchester; Chloe Leach O’Connell, Managing Director of Leach-O’Connell Consultancy; and Aaron Hill, Director of CPT Cymru.
Following up on the pitches and judges’ deliberations, Chloe Leach O’Connell says: “It was an honour to be involved in the judging again this year. I never fail to be amazed at the innovation and dedication to continuously enhance and improve coach and bus travel. Whether it be through safety, cost savings, social value or increasing ridership – they are all there! Congratulations to the Innovation Challenge winners.”
Judges’ Choice Bronze Award winners:
- Navaho Technologies Ltd – for InformAll Transport – Passenger Information Solution, a network-connected passenger information display system.
- Sure24 – for Sure Insight App, which provides instant access on the go to vehicle monitoring data and CCTV.
Judges’ Choice Silver Award winners:
- GreenRoad – for GreenRoad Drive™ App, with its real-time coaching and AI-based driver behaviour management capabilities.
- Trueform – for Living Roof Covered Walkway, a sustainable covered walkway with a self-irrigating green roof.
- Zeelo – for RINA, software used to optimise daily commutes with data.
Judges’ Choice Gold Award winner:
- Kura – for Kura Essential
Kura Essential is a free home-to-school software tool designed to empower schools, operators and drivers with data to improve student safeguarding.
Judge Aaron Hill states: “We loved the innovation, loved that it solved many different problems all at once. We think the way it has positioned itself in the market is unique and has a real opportunity to drive public engagement in public transport.”
Commenting on the win, Kura CEO Godfrey Ryan adds: “When we considered launching a free transport safeguarding software product for schools it was uncharted territory – we had no guarantees that it would take-off in such a big way.
“It’s a fantastic testament to the team’s hard work! We’re grateful to every driver, school and operator who helped shape the solution. We will continue to improve the Kura software to ensure it continues to protect drivers and their student-passengers on the school run.”
Operators’ Choice Award winner:
- Parksafe Group – Low Bridge Detection System
Parksafe Group accepted the Operators’ Choice Award, as voted for by routeone subscribers, for its Low Bridge Detection System. The system, which can detect up to 3,750 low bridges within the UK, uses GPS vehicle location data and geofencing to warn the driver via LED and audible alerts.
Louise Smith, Design and Marketing Manager at Parksafe Group, says: “We are so proud to have won the routeone Innovation Challenge Operators’ Choice Award for our revolutionary Low Bridge Detection System. As a small family business, we are a very close team who are forward-thinking and passionate about creating innovative solutions to help make the world a safer place.”
The Innovation Challenge will return to the Masterclass Theatre at Euro Bus Expo in 2024. The dedicated coach, bus and minibus exhibition will take place on 12-14 November at the NEC Birmingham.
