Case
The Project
Stagecoach is the largest UK bus and coach operator, providing transportation services across Scotland, England and Wales. The company’s Peterborough site is home to 57 double-deckers and eight single deckers. The buses run a near 24 hr service, from 4 am – 3 am, providing the majority of bus services in the area.
To ensure cleanliness and contribute to its commitment to sustainability, Stagecoach Peterborough recently upgraded its commercial wash systems to the latest water-saving Karcher Gantry Wash, delivered by TSG Solutions UK. Apart from saving water, Karcher’s commitment to using recycled parts (where possible) was an influential factor in the decision to upgrade.
Terry Absalom, Interim Engineering Director for Stagecoach East, said: “As a company, Stagecoach is working towards net-zero and choosing partners that use recycled components in their products is key to this aim.”
TSG UK has a long-standing relationship with Stagecoach, providing a range of services to the company including fuel management and vehicle washing. Apart from Karcher Gantry Wash, the Peterborough site also uses automated fuel management solutions, Dialog and CCTV system Tokheim EYE, which monitors activity at the pump.
The Outcome
Terry, who previously oversaw bus washing systems in London before taking responsibility for the Stagecoach East sites at Peterborough, Fen Stanton, Cambridge and Bedford, has been working with TSG UK for the past year. He said:
“Karcher’s commercial wash products are excellent and we have a good relationship with TSG UK. They’re a well-known face in the sector, and I’ve found them to be easy to work with, trustworthy, reliable, quick to respond and helpful when it comes to assistance and guidance. They have met Stagecoach’s needs well over the years and will continue to do so going forward, as we move towards Net Zero.”
Other steps Stagecoach is taking include transitioning the fleet to fully electric by 2035. The company also plans to divert 95% of its waste from landfill by 2026, hence the appeal of Karcher’s use of recycled components.
Kärcher Gantry Wash
The Karcher Gantry Wash system installed at Peterborough is designed for automatic exterior cleaning of large commercial vehicles. The three brush gantry has a maximum washing height of 5.05 metres and 2.20 m width – ideal for double-deckers and large coaches.
Extremely user friendly, the system has a clear and robust control panel with an intuitive user interface, including a range of washing programmes for different degrees of dirt.
Apart from the wash system, Stagecoach also uses Dialog, an electronic fuel management system that also controls dispensers, level gauges, gates and wash systems, which as Terry said, “keeps everything running smoothly.”
Plans are already in place to work with TSG UK to upgrade Stagecoach wash and fuel management systems at Bedford, Fen Stanton and Cambridge.
