Welsh bus operator NAT Group has partnered with a local tachograph specialist to monitor all compliance across its drivers and 150-vehicle fleet.
The contract will see A1 Tachograph Services accessing driver data on a weekly basis and conducting fortnightly driver and vehicle inspections. The Pontypridd-based organisation has also provided, and will continue to offer, drivers’ hours direction training.
Initially hiring A1 Tachographs to complete a one-off company overhaul of its compliance following the appointment of new Managing Director Adam Keen, Nat Group took the strategic decision to retain the specialist agency on an ongoing basis.
Established 12 years ago by former police officer Tony Webb, A1 specialises in tachograph analysis services, transport audits and supplies all consumables associated with the various compliance requirements.
Tony said: “Adam recruited our services soon after taking charge at NAT to identify any potential issues with mechanical or driver compliance under the former management. We were able to check and analyse backdated data from the previous system which was generated internally, and support NAT with any DVSA enquiries. Implementing a brand-new system, we can now access all data from drivers’ cards weekly, meaning if a problem arises it can be immediately rectified. Our designated analyst, a former bus driver himself, visits the drivers every other week and is really getting to know the individuals. Since establishing the partnership with NAT, there has been a massive compliance improvement, which is down to the entire team. Everyone has taken the directions onboard and is now singing off the same hymn sheet, so to speak.”
Adam Keen said: “As a strictly regulated industry, any of our vehicles and drivers can be stopped by the DVSA and checked for mechanical compliance or drivers’ hours legislation compliance at any time. I was mindful when taking the position to make compliance a top priority and resolve any former issues and put new procedures and practices in place going forward. I approached A1 Tachographs – a local South Wales-based business with a sound reputation for achieving the very highest levels of compliance within bus and coach operations – and they have been meticulous in analysing back data and installing new measures. Over the contract period so far, they have built a rapport with our drivers and we have seen an immense improvement in all areas.
“We look forward to working with Tony and the team for a long time to come.”
