Abbey Travel started using Wheely-Safe technology across its fleet of coaches, aiming to improve compliance and efficiency of its operations and ensuring the business gets the absolute maximum from every tyre it uses.
Wheely-Safe Connect
The Erith-based public transport operator has installed Wheely-Safe Connect on 20 of its Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches and five Yutong midi-coaches and is highly satisfied with the initial trial results.
Steve Woodall, Transport Manager at Abbey Travel, was drawn to the technology after having experienced a series of mysterious punctures. “We had lost three inner back tyres in quick succession, and we could not figure out why. It turned out that the wheel nut covers had loosened and fallen between the tyres, causing slow punctures over time,” he explains. “I had never encountered this problem in all my years in the business. To have something fitted now that alerts us to any issue with both the wheel nut and the tyre pressure as early as possible is a real benefit.”
Wheely-Safe technology uses intelligent tyre pressure monitoring with wheel loss detection, including brake and hub temperature monitoring. It enables data transfer to the driver in the cab and the transport management team at the base. This real-time information provides quicker issue identification, improving fleet management, reducing downtime and enhancing vehicle safety.
The Plans
Abbey Travel has already installed eight Wheely-Safe systems across its fleet, and aims to complete the installation to all vehicles during regular MOT servicing.
“It is incredibly easy to fit – it only takes about an hour and a half to install on each vehicle,” says Woodall. “It is a no-brainer when you consider the potential savings. We use premium tyres, which cost around £500 each, and the cost of losing three tyres in a month can be devastating for the business. We average about 150,000 km per casing, so we need them running at their optimal condition.”
“The system is working brilliantly – I get alerts directly to my office, and drivers are informed instantly,” Woodall adds. “With the connected system, I can identify which wheel is experiencing an issue, making it easy for the driver to check and resolve the problem promptly. It is a real peace of mind, especially given our fleet’s heavy usage and the schoolwork we do.”
