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NEWS
Zero-Emission Higer STEED experience for Limerick ETSS Students
Transition Year students from the Limerick ETSS (Educate Together Secondary School) took a trip on the Higer STEED around the streets of the Treaty city. On the trip, their teacher, Maria Somers, mentioned that that the basis of the school’s climate awareness education was on becoming more aware of and practicing ‘sustainability’ technology. “This participation aspect plays a significant role in learning, teaching and assessment at Limerick ETSS where Project-Based Learning is used as a key methodology for providing students with rigorous and engaging learning experiences that are authentic, relevant, meaningful and real world,” she said.
On the drive through the city streets, the students were very impressed with how silent the bus was, one of their first questions was about the safety of pedestrians on the street. They were also aware of the proximity of the Hydro Powered Electricity power generation plant at Ardnacrusha, located nearby, which is a green source of electricity. School Principal, Eoin Shinners added that Limerick ETSS strives to integrate their curriculum at every opportunity so that its students can make real world links with their learning and experience, a self-directed, authentic and meaningful learning experience. So the bus trip gave them an opportunity to put this learning curiosity into practice.
At a stop for refreshments the students had an opportunity to see the workings of the vehicle from the electric motor to the battery pack. Driver Gabriel Finn, on behalf of importers and distrib-
utors Harris Bus & Coach was pleased to answer all questions and said he was impressed with the level of knowledge and the depth of questions asked. The students travelled back to school with a better understanding of how urban transport will be in the, not so distant future. The uniqueness and originality of the STEED electric bus is mirrored by the refreshing system of education at ETSS.
About Limerick ETSS: The second level school opened in September 2018 with 12 staff with 56 students. Since its inception, the ETSS has progressed steadily and is now one of Ireland’s fastest growing second-level schools where enrolment will reach 440 students
in September 2022. The school is currently based in temporary accommodation at the former Salesian’s Secondary School, Fernbank, North Circular Road, Limerick. In 2023-24, the ETSS will move to a new and permanent location in Towlerton, Castletroy where works have already commenced on the new stateof-the-art campus which will cater for in excess of 1,000 students.
Be Compliant, Be Confident, Be Connected
What is the PassengerSafe standard?
The standard is an initiative developed by FTA Ireland members designed to raise operational standards and recognise excellence. It aims to recognise, encourage, and promote good practice in the area of passenger operations. FTAI members wanted to develop a standard system in order to encourage improvement in the sector and recognise those organisations operating at the highest levels. The standard seeks to confirm that the company has systems in place to meet the minimum legal standards in fatigue, roadworthiness, driver competence, road traffic rules, customer care, road passenger operator licensing, professional competence, sustainable operations, health and safety, contractor, and agency management.
Who is the PassengerSafe standard for?
PassengerSafe is open to all coach and bus operations with vehicles in excess of 9 passenger seats in their operation regardless of type or size of operation. For the purposes of PassengerSafe, a multi-passenger vehicle is defined as a commercial vehicle used for the carriage of passengers with a minimum of 9 passenger seats.
What do vehicle operators have to do to become a PassengerSafe member?
When joining FTAI, the operator signs a declaration to say that it is committed to be a member of the Association, will achieve the standards needed to join and will maintain these standards to ensure continued membership.
What does the audit cover?
The operator must provide the auditor with evidence that the FTAI PassengerSafe standards are being met and the auditor also looks for evidence of non-compliance. The standards are detailed below.
• Vehicle and equipment maintenance • Safe working environment • Vehicle standards • Driver licensing and competence • Road Passenger Transport Operator Licensing • Professional competence • Customer Care • Environmental considerations • Contractor and agency management • Health and safety
FTA Ireland is a not-for-profit trade association representing the transport sector. Our work enhances the influence and image of the transport industry in Ireland by promoting the highest standards of safety and compliance.
What are the benefits to the operation of attaining the standard?
✓ Achievement of the PassengerSafe standard will demonstrate to enforcement authorities, customers, and the general public that you are compliant with minimum legal and operational standards. ✓ The company will also benefit from improved compliance levels and industry image, both within Ireland and abroad. ✓ The company has achieved an industry standard ✓ The company is demonstrating that it has active management systems in place to manage drivers’ hours, roadworthiness, and driver qualifications
This is a risk management programme
✓ Improved safety standards – less risk of accident. ✓ Recognises the good work drivers are doing on the company’s behalf. ✓ Improves reputation of the company. ✓ Ensures the company has a good Commercial Vehicle
Operator Risk rating (CVORI) with the Road Safety
Authority. ✓ The FTAI window sticker indicates that PassengerSafe has been achieved. ✓ Demonstrates a commitment to provide a good working environment and to protect all road users. ✓ The PassengerSafe Standard demonstrates the dedication and participation of drivers to the highest professional standards. ✓ The PassengerSafe standard can be used to show that the company has achieved a compliance standard when tendering for business.
Pictured (l-r) Allen Parker, Bus Éireann Chief Customer Officer and Aidan Flynn, CEO, FTAI.
New from the Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI), is PassengerSafe, a new compliance standard to provide passenger transport operators with the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to safer, more efficient and sustainable bus and coach fleets by passing a series of quality controls and tests.
PassengerSafe – New Bus & Coach Operations Compliance Standard from the FTAI
Martins Coaches (Cavan) takes delivery of new Iveco Crusader
Bus Éireann – the semi-State bus and coach company that facilitated more than 89 million journeys per year in Ireland prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, is the first passenger transport fleet operator to attain the PassengerSafe standard. “The FTAI is committed to raising professionalism and compliance across Ireland’s road transport sector; following the success of our standards for commercial fleet operators, we are thrilled to launch a new scheme aimed specifically at passenger operators. Developed in partnership with FTAI’s members, PassengerSafe will raise operational standards and recognise excellence in passenger fleets. With its exceptional commitment to safe, efficient and sustainable operations, Bus Éireann is perfectly placed to become the first certified member of PassengerSafe,” explained Aidan Flynn, CEO of FTAI.
Allen Parker, Bus Éireann Chief Customer Officer added: “Safety is our number one priority, and I am delighted that Bus Éireann is the first bus and coach operator in Ireland to attain the PassengerSafe accreditation for best practise in transport operations and engineering, delivering a safe and reliable service for our customers. Bus Éireann is Ireland’s national bus company, with over 2,700 employees, and operates in excess of 1,000 vehicles. We operate to every corner of the country with city and town services, inter-city and inter-regional routes, rural stage carriage services and our extensive school transport network. This accreditation is a great achievement for the company and our employees, showing our commitment to making the company a safer, more efficient and sustainable bus and coach operator.”
A PassengerSafe auditor assesses applicants against several categories, including vehicle and equipment maintenance systems; safe working environment; vehicle standards; driver licensing and competence; road passenger transport operator licensing, as well as other key areas of health and safety.
PassengerSafe is open to all coach and bus operations with vehicles in excess of nine passenger seats, regardless of type or size of operation. For more information, please visit https:// www.ftai.ie/passengersafe
Martins Coaches (Cavan), based in Corlough, West Cavan in the foothills of the Cuilcagh Mountains, is confident the worst of the Covid-19 crisis is over and what better way to express that, than to invest in new equipment.
The long established passenger transport family owned company, has purchased a new the Iveco Crusader 33 seater midi-bus from Harris Bus & Coach, Dublin through Sales Manager Chris Haughton. Based on the renowned Iveco Daily chassis and driveline with the coachwork undertaken in Turkey, the new Crusader will be used primarily on private hire and airport transfers from the Shannon-Erne Waterway to and from Dublin Airport.
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* The range quoted is from real world testing, range is dependent on a number of daily factors and driver training, contact Harris Bus & Coach now for more details.
