Transdev Melbourne (TDM) is reaping the benefits of a well-planned telematics rollout, which included training drivers prior to installation to optimise their performance.
The company operates passenger transport services and school buses on behalf of Public Transport Victoria, an operation which includes more than 1160 staff and 510 vehicles.
In 2016, TDM introduced telematics to encourage safer driving, improve fuel efficiency and monitor buses.
After investigating alternate systems TDM committed to TomTom telematics and installed them in all 510 buses over a six month period.
The telematics system allows drivers to self-monitor their driving performance which leads to a better customer experience, fuel savings and environmental benefits.
To enable driver access to driving performance reports TDM have linked the schedules of every driver to the TomTom system.
According to MD Harry Wijers: “TomTom is linked directly to our fuel management system and gives real-time information on specific driving behaviours including speeding, hard braking, hard acceleration, hard turning and idling.”
The implementation process was structured so that prior to launching, all drivers were provided TDM’s Eco-Drive training to provide the best chance of getting good driver reports.
The planned program included an initial period when only drivers could access their driving reports so that areas for improvement could be identified.
Front line managers and supervisors can now gain access to reports, so they can work with drivers on improvements where necessary.
TDM's Business Improvement Manager Mark Nancarrow says the company is ready to utilise the wealth of data the telematics system produces.
"We’re looking at 2017 being a time where we can really see the difference in the bottom line; where we can do a better job at mining the data, pulling data out and using it more to our advantage," Nancarrow told Australasian Bus and Coach.