London-based HCT Group is using Freeway's fleet management system to capture and analyse maintenance data for all the Group's 500 vehicles, helping managers to maintain a highly efficient fleet and uphold a high level of service for its customers.
The Freeway software keeps track of maintenance, repairs, parts used and running costs for all vehicles within the HCT Group. The fleet, which includes 14 bendy buses, 28 double-deckers, 196 single-deckers, five coaches and 201 minibuses, operates out of ten depots spread across London, Yorkshire, the Southwest and the Channel Islands.
Freeway builds up a detailed history for each vehicle, enabling management to identify any recurring problems or underperformance. It also calculates fuel efficiency, producing a fuel cost analysis by vehicle, by route or by user-specified period. Such results also provide a cost-based comparison between real and projected costs.
Freeway's fleet maintenance programme enables HCT Group's workshops to plan and schedule routine servicing, inspections and MOTs. The software provides full visibility of the company's existing parts inventory and helps to control the cost of restocking. Freeway is fully integrated, so information is entered only once. For example, a spare parts request generates a purchase order, and the inventory and accounts package are automatically updated.
"Freeway draws the user's attention to key problem areas, such as a particular vehicle or category of vehicle," explained Patrick Tandy, Managing Director, Freeway Fleet Systems. "The system then identifies areas of high cost, which could be anything from fuel or tyres to repairs and maintenance. Then, direct causes of inefficiency are pinpointed, for example, unusually high expenditure on brakes, allowing the user to take immediate and fully informed action."
"The information Freeway provides allows for improved management of our vehicle assets throughout the Group," said Mike Swan, Materials Controller, HCT Group. "Freeway correctly allocates costs, and we can track assets and their history."
"What makes Freeway unique is its flexibility," said Steve Perks, Group Head of Engineering, HCT Group. "Freeway listened to our business needs and adapted the product accordingly so it meets our requirements."
"Freeway's versatility sets it apart from other fleet management solutions," added Swan. "It is also refreshing to work with a software provider who listens to and understands our business needs and tailors development of their programme to meet those needs."
The HCT Group uses its commercial contracts to generate funds for community transport and training projects, which operate under the name of HCT Group or local community transport brands such as Bristol Community Transport. The commercial arm operates under the name of CT Plus CIC, with subsidiaries CT Plus (Yorkshire) CIC, CT Plus Guernsey and CT Plus Jersey.
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