South East Coaches has reported good results from the Wheely-Safe Connect product, which is fitted to each of the Essex operator’s vehicles.
It monitors tyre pressures, nut movement and hub temperatures to identify potential wheel-related issues before they become problems. That proved its worth for South East Coaches when the technology recognised how a minibus had a slow puncture.
That occurred before the vehicle was due to leave the depot. Wheely-Safe sent an alert to Operations Manager Ashley Gamon, stating that there had been a slight drop in pressure on one tyre.
“When I inspected the vehicle the next morning, sure enough, we found a nail,” says Mr Gamon. “If we had not had Wheely-Safe installed, that minibus could have gone out to work in a dangerous condition, which could have led to a costly roadside breakdown and repair bill. So it has already started to pay for itself.”
The latest generation of Wheely-Safe enables data to be transmitted not only to the driver, but also to the management team at base. Such real-time information allows for quicker identification of issues. That improves fleet management, reduces downtime, and enhances safety.
Continues Mr Gamon: “As a DVSA Earned Recognition operator, we are committed to going above and beyond when it comes to safety and compliance. This is another step in that direction.
“Our private hire coaches can take us anywhere in the UK and overseas. To have this technology constantly feeding us data gives us real peace of mind that we will know about any issues with the wheel or tyre before they become serious. The last thing we want is a coach full of passengers stuck on the side of the road, or worse.”
