Arriva UK Bus has reaffirmed its commitment to safety, performance, and sustainability by extending its partnership with Michelin for another five years. The agreement will see Michelin’s Connected Solutions division (CXS) supply, fit, and manage tyres across all seven regions of Arriva’s operations in the UK, covering a fleet of around 4,000 buses.
This includes 1,500 buses operating in London, where Arriva runs services for Transport for London (TfL), spanning 100 routes and 16 garages.
With electric buses forming an increasing share of the fleet, Arriva UK Bus will fit the MICHELIN X InCity EV Z tyres. These multi-position tyres are engineered for electric vehicles but also deliver high performance on diesel and hybrid buses, offering:
✔ Enhanced safety
✔ Increased longevity
✔ Optimised load capacity
✔ Reduced rolling resistance for lower environmental impact
Smaller vehicles within the fleet will be equipped with MICHELIN X Multi tyres, tailored for diverse urban and regional transport applications.
To further boost sustainability, Michelin will apply its multi-life policy, ensuring tyres last longer through:
🔄 Regrooving: When the tread depth reaches 3-4mm, skilled technicians regroove the tyres, maintaining fuel efficiency.
🔄 Retreading (Michelin Remix): Once worn, tyres are sent to Michelin’s Stoke-on-Trent Remix plant for retreading, reducing waste and supporting UK manufacturing.
Michelin will also introduce QuickScan technology at five Arriva UK Bus depots. This automated vehicle inspection system scans tyres for:
📊 Tread depth and wear analysis
📊 General tyre health in all weather conditions
📊 Faster inspections to improve compliance and cost-efficiency
In addition, Arriva is trialling Michelin Connected Fleet’s Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) at its Thurmaston depot in Leicester. When combined with QuickScan data, TPMS enables:
✔ Real-time tyre monitoring
✔ Predictive maintenance scheduling
✔ Reduced roadside breakdowns due to deflations
Stephen Middleton, Procurement Category Manager for Arriva UK Bus, expressed enthusiasm about the renewed partnership:
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with industry-leader Michelin to ensure our fleet runs with the highest standards of safety, performance, and sustainability.”
He also emphasised the role of Michelin Remix retreading in reducing environmental impact, supporting Arriva’s long-term sustainability strategy.
Arriva UK Bus, part of the Arriva Group, is one of the largest passenger transport providers in the UK and Europe, carrying over 1.5 billion passengers annually.
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