Angela Coaches, a Southampton-based passenger transport operator, has highlighted the advantages of Wheely-Safe technology after the system helped prevent a costly breakdown on one of its European tours.
The company has fitted Wheely-Safe Connect to its Beulas VDL 44-seat touring coach, allowing upgraded wheel loss detection, brake and hub temperature monitoring, and intelligent tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to transmit live data not just to the driver but also to the transport team back at base.
The system recently flagged an underinflated inner tyre while the coach was on tour in France. Thanks to real-time alerts, the issue was quickly resolved before it escalated into a roadside emergency.
Robert Pressley, Managing Director at Angela Coaches, shared his experience:
“We’ve been trialling the system on our touring coach since last summer, and it’s been very impressive. It allows us to stay on top of the pressures in the tyres and alert the driver quickly if there’s a problem.
“Recently, we had a tour group in France, and an underinflated inner tyre was flagged by the sensors. Our workshop manager was able to let the driver know, who then pulled up safely, checked the tyre, and resolved the problem. Left unchecked, we’d have been looking at a flat tyre, and a coach full of passengers pulled up on the side of the road. That would have been a huge inconvenience to our customers and an expensive call-out to get the coach back on the road.”
Angela Coaches has also installed standalone Wheely-Safe systems with driver alerts on two of its smaller midi coaches. The company is now considering a full rollout of the technology across its fleet in the coming months.
The decision to invest in Wheely-Safe technology was influenced by a past wheel-loss incident, which underscored the importance of preventative monitoring.
“A couple of years ago, a wheel came off one of our coaches, and that’s something we never want to happen again,” added Pressley. “The Wheely-Safe system gives us peace of mind that we’ll know about any issues before it’s too late.
“Safety is always the number one priority for a passenger transport company, but this technology also brings added benefits such as improving fuel consumption and reducing any tyre-related downtime. It really pays for itself.”
Angela Coaches, which has been operating along the south coast of England since 1953, runs a luxury fleet from its headquarters in Southampton, offering premium transport services across the UK and Europe.
What technology has Angela Coaches installed?
The company has fitted Wheely-Safe Connect, a cloud-connected system that monitors wheel security, tyre pressure, and brake/hub temperatures.
How did it prevent a breakdown?
A tyre pressure issue was flagged on a coach tour in France. The transport team notified the driver, who safely addressed the problem before it escalated.
Why is Angela Coaches expanding the system?
Following a previous wheel-loss incident, the company sees Wheely-Safe as a crucial investment in safety, efficiency, and cost reduction.
What are the benefits beyond safety?
The system also improves fuel consumption and reduces tyre-related downtime, making it a cost-effective solution.
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