Go-Ahead Group

Challenge: Paperwork Hampered Efficiency

Go-Ahead London, the capital’s largest bus operator, previously relied on paper-based pre-service vehicle checks. This system was resource-intensive, prone to human error, and lacked real-time visibility into vehicle health. Richard Harrington, Go-Ahead London Engineering Director, noted, “the critically-important pre-service vehicle check process” was hampered by traditional methods, potentially impacting service reliability.

Solution: Piloting Digital Transformation

In 2019, Go-Ahead embarked on a digital transformation journey by partnering with Tranzaura for a pilot program. The program involved implementing Tranzaura’s mobile app for pre-service inspections across 51 all-electric buses at the award-winning Waterloo Garage.

Benefits of the Pilot:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Replacing paper forms with a mobile app streamlined the inspection process, saving time and resources.
• Improved Accuracy: Digital data capture minimized human error and ensured consistent, accurate reporting of vehicle health.
• Actionable Insights: The app facilitated the integration of unplanned maintenance into an electronic system, enabling data-driven decisions.
• Driver Engagement: The user-friendly app fostered improved driver engagement in the inspection process, as Chris McKeown, Go-Ahead London Chief Engineer, highlighted: “The Waterloo trial proved the technology and it was easily understood by our drivers.”

Following on from the success of the first phase of their partnership, after five years using the system in London, Go-Ahead and Tranzaura partnered up to use the app for digital vehicle checks across the UK.

This expansion reflects Go-Ahead’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence, as Matt Carney, Chief Executive of Go-Ahead Bus, expressed: “Our partnership with Tranzaura reflects our dedication to digitalisation, embracing innovative solutions to streamline processes and improve the way we work.”

Go-Ahead aims to achieve:

• Nationwide Efficiency: Streamlined inspections across all Go-Ahead operations in the UK.
• Real-Time Visibility: Enhanced fleet health monitoring for proactive maintenance and improved service reliability.
• Sustainable Practices: Transitioning from paper to a mobile app reduces Go-Ahead’s environmental footprint.
• Customer Focus: Ultimately, the digital transformation empowers Go-Ahead to deliver safer, more reliable bus services for millions of customers across the UK.

Shane Mann, CEO of Tranzaura, echoed this focus on customer value: “The Go-Ahead Group and Tranzaura partnership is built on trust and an excellent working relationship, helping to drive higher standards for defect reporting across the bus industry. Tranzaura is proud to be able to support Go-Ahead in not just driving operational efficiency but also delivering more value to customers.”

This case study demonstrates Go-Ahead’s proactive approach to embracing technology for a more efficient, sustainable, and customer-centric future. To learn more on Tranzaura’s partnership with GoAhead, see testimonials from Rick Weller, Engineering and Project Manager and Chris McKeown, Chief Engineer at GoAhead London.