The former operates 500 buses on TfL contracts while Whippet runs express coaches and a further 70 Stage carriage buses – and Bridgestone sees their move as a significant coup for its bus and coach tyres offering.
Tower Transit’s group engineering director Satnam Cheema (pictured right) says that the decision was based largely on Bridgestone’s ability to offer better value for money.
“Bridgestone gave me a lot of confidence through their proposed transition plan,” states Cheema.
“This gave me the assurance that switching supplier would bring minimum risk and we would continue to receive a quality service,” he continues.
“Effective tyre management is very important to us, particularly because we pride ourselves on delivering some of the highest vehicle maintenance standards in the industry,” he adds.
Cheema explains that Bridgestone’s contract has been configured to proactively monitor and manage all tyres fleet-wide.
“This lends itself to improved fuel consumption and maximised tyre life.,” he explains.
“At the same time, we ensure that all statutory and safety levels are achieved, and that there is minimum disruption to the operation of our bus fleet.”
In fact, this latest deal represents a double coup for Bridgestone, after the company also secured work with East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) in the run-up to Christmas.
Bridgestone’s ‘full-fit’ package - where an in-house technician physically removes and then re-fits wheel assemblies – was the solution for this fleet’s central location in Hull, comprising 160 vehicles.
Meanwhile, a ‘super fit’ option was offered for EYMS’s other depots around the region, with built-up assemblies sent to the fleet’s own technicians to fit to its remaining 140 buses and coaches.