TES designs digital comms for bus operator

Leyland-based TES Communication Solutions has designed a new digital radio communications system for bus operator Go North West.

The new system offers enhanced voice, data and fleet management functions for the firm, which serves Greater Manchester regions including Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Warrington.

The set-up includes dedicated control channels which means that emergency calls can be pro-actively prioritised regardless of system traffic, and a dedicated backhaul infrastructure largely independent of public cellular networks which means that in the event of a major incident in key areas, Go North West will still be able to communicate with vehicles to manage a response.

The managed services agreement between TES Communication Solutions and Go North West will mean that TES also takes ongoing system ownership responsibility for the commercial and technical maintenance of the infrastructure sites that provide city coverage, the vehicle radios, and compliance matters including Ofcom licence management.

Steve Smith, managing director TES, said: "We have a long history of providing radio communications to a significant proportion of the Greater Manchester transport network and this next step will upgrade the Go North West fleet and infrastructure to a technology fit for the future.

"Our designers and engineers will be working closely with the Go North West team to deploy a radio network which is proven for large regional operators but tailored for Go North West’s specific operational needs.

“TES also work closely with Transport for Greater Manchester and as part of a digital radio roadmap have delivered same technology digital radios for the latest generation of Metrolink trams. We are delighted to deploy a technology fit for the future of radio communications across the Greater Manchester transport network.”

Connor Lomas, of Go North West, said: “This upgrade to the latest technology will revolutionise the way we are able to manage our services with increased ability to communicate between drivers, inspectors and central control.

“The travelling public of Greater Manchester will see the benefits and we will be working with TES to ensure this happens as efficiently and as quickly as possible.”

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