Synectics Mobile Systems has signed a new three-year contract with the UK bus operator, Stagecoach, to supply, install and maintain CCTV on their 8,000-fleet of vehicles.
Extending Stagecoach’s 10-year relationship with Synectics – the continued partnership, worth more than £5m over three years, will initially see 1660 new vehicles with on-vehicle CCTV.
The types of vehicles fitted with new CCTV solutions range from single and double-decker buses from Alexander Dennis, single-deckers from Optare, to coaches from Plaxton and Van Hool to support Stagecoach’s growing megabus.com operations. Stagecoach has been using CCTV on its vehicles since the early 1990s – to protect its staff and customers and prevent anti-social behaviour.
CCTV acts as a strong deterrent to anti-social behavior as well as helping to reduce fraudulent insurance claims. According to the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) Cost Index 2012, the UK bus and coach industry spends around 3pc of its operating costs each year on insurance and claims. In 2012 this is said to have amounted to £93.8m.
The specification for the new CCTV systems for Stagecoach includes an upgraded DVR (digital video recorder) – acknowledging the need for higher quality images and increased storage. The Synectics team will be fitting the Timespace V400, a single-box, integrated recorder that meets Transport for London (TfL) requirements.
The first ten vehicles under the new contract are being equipped by Synectics at Alexander Dennis, Falkirk, in April and are bound for Stagecoach, Ross-on-Wye.
Jim Crompton, Group Purchasing Manager at Stagecoach UK Bus, says: “Quality and reliability are our main requirements when it comes to CCTV systems on our vehicles. Synectics have a track record of excellent service and offer national coverage with their fleet of service engineers. That means they are always at hand – to solve an issue or conduct regular preventative maintenance. CCTV makes our drivers and passengers feel safe and helps us protect our organisation against risks. Synectics continues to be the right partner for us to achieve this.”
Jeff Fail, Managing Director, Synectics Mobile Systems adds: “We are pleased to have been selected by Stagecoach and look forward to continuing our ten-year partnership, working with them to further improve passenger safety, reduce crime and combat fraudulent insurance claims.”
About Synectics Mobile Systems
Synectics is a wholly owned subsidiary of UK-based Synectics plc.
