25 January 2024 – Velociti Group, a leading software and specialist consultancy serving the public transport sector, is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Hipkiss as its new Chief Executive Officer. With a proven track record of leading and scaling technology organisations, Adrian brings a fresh perspective and strategic vision to lead the Velociti Group through its next phase of growth.

Adrian has held several executive leadership positions, and joins Velociti Group with an impressive background of driving revenue and profitability whilst leading strategic transformation. Having held key roles in Ceragon Networks, Tata Communications and ShoreTel, Adrian brings his exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and a commitment to driving the innovation that will help Velociti succeed in its mission to deliver fast and lasting digital transformation in passenger transport.

Velociti Group, known for its commitment to delivering software and strategic services in bus and rail transport, sees Adrian’s appointment as a strategic move to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the transport sector. His leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of the group and to drive synergies across the businesses, fostering collaboration and innovation to propel Velociti Group to new heights.

Adrian Hipkiss said, “I am delighted to be joining Velociti Group at a time when the transport sector is undergoing such rapid transformation. Velociti Group businesses are well-positioned to take hold of the huge opportunities that digital transformation in transport presents.”

Jim Darragh, Velociti Group Chairman, said, “We are hugely excited by the appointment of Adrian, he brings an incredible track record of commercial growth and building great teams.”

 

Notes for Editors

For more information about Velociti Group and its portfolio of companies, please visit https://www.velociti-group.co.uk/about-us/.

Contact: Kerry Chapman

press@velociti-group.co.uk

About Velociti Group:

Velociti Group is committed to transforming public transport, providing bus and rail operators with technology, implementation services and support backed by deep expertise of the transport sector.  Velociti offers the future ready technology, client side-experience, implementation expertise and bespoke consultancy services that power public transport and are focused on one outcome – customer success.

Velociti Group is comprised of diverse portfolio of companies specialising in various aspects of the bus and rail operations. The group comprises:

1. EPM Bus Solutions: A leading provider of unique software and consultancy services for the bus industry, EPM Bus Solutions focuses on enhancing operational and commercial efficiency, and passenger experience.
2. Omnibus Solutions: As a key player in the transport technology space, Omnibus specialises in developing advanced software solutions to efficiently plan and deliver services.
3. 3Squared: Known for its expertise in railway technology, 3Squared is at the forefront of providing cutting-edge solutions to enhance the efficiency and safety of rail operations.
4. Fab Digital: A dynamic player in the digital transformation arena, Fab Digital focuses on leveraging technology to revolutionise the rail industry’s communications with passengers.

Jonathan Welch chats to Omnibus founder Peter Crichton about his passion for the industry.

Monday 16 October 1978 was a very important day for a gentleman by the name of Karol Józef Wojtyła. It was the day Karol Józef, also known as Cardinal Wojtyła, then aged 58 and Archbishop of Krakow, was elected Pope, taking the more familiar name John Paul II in honour of the late John Paul I.

Meanwhile, in the altogether more gritty environs of north west England, Monday 16 October 1978 was the day that a young northerner by the name of Peter Crichton embarked on what was to become a lifelong career in the bus industry.

Peter’s career trajectory could have been very different, had he succeeded in one of his other ambitions as a school leaver, which was to join the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. As it was, that October day saw him start down a path involving a very different kind of ‘oily cart’ as he arrived for his first day as a Traffic Trainee, a trainee scheduler with Greater Manchester PTE.

Having gone on to found Omnibus with the aim of helping schedulers to produce workable timetables more efficiently and effectively, and devoted his working life to the transport industry, it was no surprise that Peter was presented with a Gold Award for Services to the Bus Industry at the 2022 UK Bus Awards.

Having founded Omnibus in 1989, Peter remains in a Director’s role part time, though as I found out when we sat down for a virtual chat, his schedule remains a full one. “I don’t know how I had time to go to work,” he said, having taken a break from building (I daren’t say playing with!) his O gauge model railway in between rehearsals for a production of the classic Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera HMS Pinafore with, appropriately, the Bus Pass Opera Company at the Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton.

Read the full article in Coach and Bus Week (a subscription is required).

Read our post: Omnibus Founder Peter Crichton reflects on his career after winning UK Bus Award

The UK Bus industry is ever-evolving and 2023 has been a year of marked change. This year has witnessed the sector navigating challenges, such as the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and driver shortages, to the ever-present call for greener and more efficient modes of transport. As we approach 2024, we believe the central themes guiding the upcoming year and beyond will revolve around collaboration and adaptability.

To franchise, or not to franchise?

Franchising has undeniably taken centre stage in the narrative of 2023. Introduced in Manchester for the first time since deregulation, this transformative trend looks set to shape the years ahead with Liverpool City Region and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), amongst others, planning to follow suit. With a growing number of councils bracing for upcoming elections, the widespread adoption of the franchise model seems increasingly inevitable. Yet, as this momentum builds, it is important to consider alternative approaches. By leveraging best practices and enhancing the established systems and processes within operators’ existing networks, there’s an opportunity to transition toward a more collaborative future involving Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and operators.

Against this backdrop and with funding potentially tightening in 2024, bus operators and LTAs must adopt a prudent approach, carefully managing financial resources to ensure operation of the most efficient services possible. The notable upswing in patronage observed this year underscores the need for a sustained and proficient operation. Collaborative efforts between bus operators and LTAs will play a pivotal role, with the latest technology helping to empower LTAs and operators with the intelligence and insights required to fulfil their commitments and uphold network responsibilities effectively.

Incentivised travel and BSOG reform

The introduction of the £2 bus fare cap in England, not only incentivised bus travel but made it affordable for millions of passengers struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. Introduced as a £2 flat rate fare outside of London until November 2024, the measure has helped to increase patronage post-Covid. However, unless a transitional arrangement is introduced at the end of the current initiative, a potential cliff-edge scenario could see fares increase substantially at the end of 2024, hitting millions of passengers in the pocket and reducing patronage.

The BSOG funding process is set to be reformed, with the Department of Transport and industry bodies set to shape the future of the scheme with a focus on incentivising zero emission vehicles and additional funding for rural services. Depending on the approach, and considering work carried out by EPM in collaboration with Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), changes to the current funding mechanism could have significant winners and losers. With a general election next year it is likely that any reform measures decided on in 2024 will not be implemented until Spring of the following year.

Flexible timetables to meet changing work patterns

Travel patterns have changed, characterised by an uptake in remote work and an increase in leisure travel. Therefore, there is a greater need for LTAs and bus operators to understand these changing behaviours. Timetables need to be fluid and flexibly planned to capitalise on emerging trends and to effectively meet the fluctuating demand. This ensures that the changing needs of customers are not only understood but also met.

Driver shortages

This year has seen a shortage of drivers continue to blight the industry. The CPT has identified that almost 1 in 10 bus driver positions are vacant in the UK which has led to a drop in the number of deliverable services. With attributing factors such as long hours and exhausting shift patterns, there is a need for operators to build stronger relationships with their drivers to address this ongoing challenge. Establishing open communication is vital, and leveraging data becomes paramount in understanding and contextualising driver performance. Additionally, adopting driver-centric technologies can prove instrumental in enhancing driver relations by empowering them to access their schedules remotely and easily request time off or overtime.

Innovation to attract more passengers

The key challenge for bus operators and local authorities in 2024 will be to continue to attract customers. Initiatives such as multi-operator ticketing (MOT) and tap on tap off (TOTO) make bus travel a more attractive proposition, encouraging travel and repeat journeys. However, the key metrics of affordability and reliability will determine the continued success and viability of operations. Amid escalating costs and rising customer expectations, on-the-day decision-making will be critical in ensuring service quality. This demands an evolution of control room systems to provide a complete, holistic view of operations in real-time, helping controllers get ahead of problems on the network and proactively find solutions.

The year ahead

2023 has been a dynamic and transformative period for the industry, marked by challenges and significant developments. As we look ahead to 2024, collaboration emerges as a central theme, with franchising gaining prominence and funding set to reshape the sector.

Technology will play an increasingly important role, helping bus operators and LTAs to successfully navigate these challenges and help the bus industry to go from strength to strength.

Solutions to support the year ahead:

• For planning and managing franchise networks ETM DAS and Contract Performance.
• To improve driver retention and communication a driver app such as OmniENGAGE.
• Empowering control room teams to efficiently manage and resolve on-the-day issues to deliver a quality bus service, as well as achieve significant cost-savings with Control360.
• Data / intelligence streamlined with Insights providing management teams with a comprehensive view, enabling them to make well-informed decisions.
• Flexible timetable display solution, OmnSTOPdesign, allows for efficient and cost-effective turnaround for roadside publicity.

Ready to start driving forward in 2024? Get in touch to build a tailored solution today