Arriva UK Bus continues its long-standing partnership with Michelin, prioritising sustainability, safety, and the latest tyre technology. Under the new contract, Michelin will supply, fit, and manage tyres for Arriva’s 4,000-strong bus fleet, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
Long-Standing Arriva and Michelin Relationship
Arriva UK Bus is continuing its long-standing working relationship with Michelin. Moreover, they have signed a new five-year contract with the manufacturer’s Connected Solutions division (CXS).
The new agreement will see Michelin supply, fit, and manage the tyres across all seven public transport operators’ business regions, incorporating a total fleet size of around 4,000 buses nationwide. This includes roughly 1,500 buses, 100 routes, and 16 garages that Arriva London operates across the capital on behalf of Transport for London (TfL).
Stephen Middleton, Arriva UK Bus’s Procurement Category Manager, says, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with industry leader Michelin to ensure our fleet runs at the highest standards of safety, performance, and sustainability.”
MICHELIN X InCity EV Z tyres on the Arriva Electric Buses
With an increasingly large number of electric buses deployed across its operations, it is reported that the Arriva UK Bus fleet will be fitted predominantly with MICHELIN X InCity EV Z tyres. These tyres are for electric vehicles but work on combustion engine-powered buses. The multi-position tyres offer excellent safety, longevity, and load capacity while helping operators reduce their environmental footprint by reducing rolling resistance. Some of the company’s smaller vehicles will utilise tyres from the MICHELIN X Multi range.
All tyres will be carefully managed through Michelin’s multi-life policy, helping minimise ownership costs and boosting sustainability. Michelin’s skilled technicians regroove the tyres once the tread depth reaches 3-4mm, helping to extend each casing’s life in its most fuel-efficient state. Once the regrooved tyres have worn, they are retreaded at the Michelin Remix plant in Stoke—a process that reports to save natural resources, supporting UK manufacturing.
QuickScan Technology Arrives at Arriva
Another part of the new agreement is installing Michelin’s QuickScan technology at five Arriva UK Bus depots. This automated vehicle inspection solution offers fast, crucial data on the health of each tyre, including the tread depth and general wear and tear. The drive-over scanner works in all weather conditions. It reduces the time spent on inspections, helping to improve compliance and saving money.
Arriva UK Bus is also trialling Michelin Connected Fleet’s Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on 10 vehicles at its Thurmaston depot in Leicester. Combined with the QuickScan technology data, this offers key insights for the business. This allows it to monitor, manage, and proactively anticipate tyre-related maintenance issues. It also facilitates better maintenance scheduling and can reduce the incidences of roadside events such as tyre deflations.
“Working with Michelin reflects our commitment to not only providing efficient and reliable transport for our customers but also advancing towards a greener future, such as our increased use of Remix tyres provided by the Michelin Stoke-on-Trent factory,” adds Middleton.
“Together, we are meeting the needs of our fleet and our passengers today while moving with the times to ensure a tomorrow which is more environmentally friendly.”
