Red Bus is a bus and coach company based in Christchurch, New Zealand, operating a fleet of around 130 buses and employing 230 staff. It operates services 365 days a year, with its vehicles travelling 5.8 million kilometres and 3.8 million passenger trips taken each year.
The organisation has put a number of measures in place to address its road risk in order to improve incident rates and partnered with Vehicle Technologies (a Channel Partner of MiX Telematics) to do so.
Red Bus implemented a MiX Telematics system to give real-time feedback in the driver cab about incidents of speeding, harsh braking, harsh acceleration, hard cornering and excessive idling. The system provides instant feedback to drivers helping them to modify their behaviour. The telematics reporting system scores driver performance into three bands: green, amber and red.
Safe And Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) training is undertaken by all drivers to help them gain additional knowledge and skills, and in turn helps improve their telematics score.
“Managers look at all incidents highlighted through the telematics system on a weekly basis. They identify any high-risk drivers and meet with them on a one-to-one basis to discuss further and determine whether additional training or intervention is required.”
Red Bus also brought in further interventions for high-risk drivers. Managers look at all incidents highlighted through the telematics system on a weekly basis. They identify any high-risk drivers and meet with them on a one-to-one basis to discuss further and determine whether additional training or intervention is required.
The fleet operator took a change management rather than systems approach to implementing telematics, ensuring that drivers were communicated with clearly and openly at all stages, so they knew what was happening and why. Managers also asked for feedback on the system, responding to issues raised by drivers quickly and making further improvements.
After six months, a driver incentive package was introduced with support from drivers’ unions. Drivers became more open and competitive with their driving. During the telematics trial, speeding incidents reduced by 75%, harsh braking incidents reduced by 41% and harsh acceleration by 40%. Since the company-wide roll-out, vehicle incident rates have reduced and there has been a 3% reduction in fuel consumption.
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