A leading North East coach operator is looking to increase ‘green’ efficiencies across its fleet thanks to a new vehicle tracking system from a Tyneside company.

Compass Royston, of Stockton, has recently fitted the Navstar tracking system to the128 coaches it operates under its own name and that of its subsidiary, Procters, of Northallerton.

Navstar, marketed by Wardair Direct Ltd, of Team Valley, Gateshead, offers the coach operator full GPS tracking of its fleet at any time. However, the sophisticated Navstar software also provides the operator with information about how the vehicle is being driven by measuring exhaust emissions, harsh braking and accelerating and long periods of idling while stationary.

Graham Smith, Navstar Sales Director, said: “Compass Royston are particularly interested in reducing fuel consumption by a target of five per cent simply by reducing idling. However, the Navstar technology will also allow the operator to train drivers and, if necessary, discipline them for driving that increases exhaust gasses, reduces fuel economy and is generally harmful to the environment.”

Compass Royston are one of the North East’s largest coach operators with contracts to run service buses in Middlesbrough, Stockton and Darlington, school services across the region, day trips and coaching holidays and also the Hartlepool United FC team coach.

Inquiries from small to medium-sized businesses are increasing for Navstar based on the value for money and the savings demonstrated by the facilities it offers.

Navstar is also installed in service vehicles operated by Cleveland Fire Brigade and on pharmaceutical delivery vehicles operated by the Hartlepool and North Tees NHS Trust. The technology offers simple-to-use web-based software, which allows minute-by-minute visibility of a vehicle’s location and a wealth of vital management information relating to its speed and the way it is being driven.

Some coach operators have employed Navstar to offer parents the chance to follow the progress school buses online in order to ensure that they arrive at school safely and on time and that children can be met when the bus drops them off after school.

For further information about Navstar, contact Graham Smith on 07740 360360 or by email at graham@wardair.co.uk.