WHEELY-SAFE MAKES INSTANT IMPRESSION AT ABBEY TRAVEL

Abbey Travel is installing Wheely-Safe technology across its fleet of coaches, helping to improve the compliance and efficiency of its operation while also ensuring the business gets the absolute maximum from every tyre it uses.

The Erith-based public transport operator is in the process of equipping Wheely-Safe Connect to 20 Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches and five Yutong midi-coaches, having been hugely impressed with the results of an initial trial.

Steve Woodall, Transport Manager at Abbey Travel, was drawn to the technology having experienced a series of mysterious punctures.

“We had lost three inner back tyres in quick succession, and we couldn’t 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 combines intelligent tyre pressure monitoring with wheel loss detection, as well as brake and hub temperature monitoring. The latest generation system enables data to be transmitted not only to the driver in the cab but also to the transport management team back at base. This real-time information allows for quicker identification of issues, improving fleet management, reducing downtime, and enhancing vehicle safety.

Abbey Travel has already installed eight connected systems across its fleet, with plans to complete the installation across all vehicles during regular MOT servicing.

“It’s incredibly easy to fit – it only takes about an hour and a half to install on each vehicle,” says Woodall. “It’s 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’s a real peace of mind, especially given our fleet’s heavy usage and the schoolwork we do.”

Abbey Travel is a trusted public transport operator based in Erith, UK, with a fleet of 25 vehicles providing a range of services, including school transport and coach hire. Known for its commitment to safety, efficiency, and customer service, the business is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in fleet management.

Company Registration No. 12754234