Using Merridale® wireless vehicle mileage reader to eliminate data errors

On making the decision to upgrade its ageing fuelling facilities, Princess Coaches of Southampton set out a number of key requirements. Foremost was to implement an effective fuel management regime, to monitor usage and help measure and better control carbon emissions.

Fuel usage relates directly to the impact of our carbon footprint. Our first priority therefore was to adopt a system to measure and account for every drop of fuel used in our business.

The company takes its responsibilities to the environment very seriously. All of the company’s coaches meet the latest standards for the London ‘Low Emission Zone’ that came into effect in July 2008. Notwithstanding this investment, the company has committed itself to an on-going environmental policy to identify any further measures that will help lower its carbon emissions.

“Fuel usage relates directly to the impact of our carbon footprint,” says managing director, Peter Brown. “Our first priority therefore was to adopt a system to measure and account for every drop of fuel used in our business.”

“The previous fuelling point had limited facilities in terms of management control. It relied of staff entering the mileage reading, which inevitably led to errors and loss of confidence. Put simply it was not fit for purpose.”

“We made the decision to invest in a complete fuelling installation with replacement storage tank and dispensing facilities. This equipment is installed on the depot forecourt so it was important that it should reflect the high professional standards of our business.”

MIS Fuel Monitoring (Merridale) secured the contract against competition from three other market leaders. The new fuelling point comes with Merridale FuelWorks, a web-based management reports service. All issues of fuel from the pump are monitored and the data is collected in real-time by the FuelWorks service.

A key fob is used to identify the vehicle receiving fuel and each transaction has to be authenticated by receiving the current vehicle odometer reading. A procedure which is now handled automatically by a Merridale wireless transponder unit fitted to the vehicle.

Peter Brown concludes by saying. “Fuelling the vehicles is less complicated and our new system delivers the quality data which is essential for managing our business efficiently.”