In the face of pressurised budgets, local authorities need to make municipal vehicle fleets more efficient and cheaper to run, while meeting increasingly stringent environmental and safety standards. Toby Clark looks at technological developments
Telematics
With the perceived disparities between OE and aftermarket parts, and claims and counter-claims about which operators and workshops should use, Brian Tinham seeks guidance for busy fleet managers and their buyers
Gearboxes
Keeping buses and coaches roadworthy and costs under control is about attention to detail, all the way from driver walk-around checks to service inspection frequencies. Steve Banner reports
Road Legal
The latest products and services for the coach and bus market are set to hit the NEC, Birmingham, as Euro Bus Expo 14 opens its doors. John Challen picks out some highlights
Tyres & Retreads
Getting trailer specifications right is all about focusing on the operation and building on experience. But optimising them for efficiency and lifecycle costs requires a fresh look at available technology, suggests Brian Tinham
Braking SystemsTony Martyn has been appointed as engineering director for Wrightbus. He will reporting to group engineering director Brian Maybin. Martyn comes from Alexander Dennis, where he was group head of new product development. He also has more than 20 years of specialist commercial vehicle chassis and body design and manufacturing experience, gained in on and off highway sectors.
People
New EU rules were adopted yesterday (1 October 2014), with member states now obliged to ensure minimum coverage of clean, alternative fuels refuelling stations for EU-wide vehicle mobility.
Alternative Fuels
Iveco is showcasing a concept commercial vehicle at IAA Hanover (25 September to 2 October 2014) called Iveco Vision, designed for door to door delivery operations.
Green Vehicles
Solid fuel supplier CPL Distribution has extended its 90-strong fleet with a specially designed Isuzu Forward 4x2 rigid, with a split dropside body for kerbside deliveries of bagged coal.
Drop Side
Workshop equipment supplier Texa has taken top spot in a competition to celebrate the best workshop brand.
Diagnostic Equipment
Cenex (the centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies), with funding from the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), has developed an online tool for gas and dual-fuel truck operators to find refuelling stations.
Alternative Fuels
CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport) has published its 'Vision for Transport Planning' with the Transport Planning Society (TPS) – setting out challenges for the UK over the next 20 years and the role of planners.
Transport CPC