Bus operator, Go-Ahead Ireland, has launched Freeway Fleet Systems’ bespoke fleet management software into its Irish operation, with the support of Genie Insights. The system gives Go-Ahead Ireland full web app functionality, allowing engineers to complete inspections, raise defects and request parts digitally, removing the need for any paper-based forms.
Go-Ahead is Ireland’s newest bus company which is quickly becoming a familiar site on Dublin’s roads. The operator has depots in Ballymount and Naas now using Freeway to manage over 600 assets including single and double decker buses and coaches, ticketing machines and workshop equipment. Go-Ahead services started in September 2018 and the operator intends to roll Freeway out to all other Irish depots that are planned to open.
Freeway and its sales and implementation partner, Genie Insights, worked on a bespoke specification of Freeway for the bus operator. Over a six month period, Freeway and Genie Insights met with various Go-Ahead Ireland and Go-Ahead Group divisions including Finance, IT and Engineering in order to design a system that can handle Go-Ahead’s unique organisational intricacies.
Freeway successfully developed a number of solutions for complex integrations including a remote authorisation process for all procurement to be handled in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Freeway has managed to provide an integration solution into Go-Ahead Group’s accounting system, Oracle, whilst also handling the VAT complexities that an operation in Ireland created.
“Having researched the market and having invited a number of providers to engage with us, we ultimately selected Freeway for a number of reasons. The system’s impressive customer portfolio, coupled with the company’s interest and ability in getting the solution right for us, gave us confidence that it could handle the specific complexities of our industry and organisation. From the outset, Freeway and Genie Insights showed a high level of professionalism and patience with the specification taking a number of months to finalise.”
Chris Stringer, Head of Engineering, Go-Ahead Ireland