Streets ahead

Queensland-based Stonestreets Coaches has been providing specialised vehicles for tours, charters, schools and industry for more than 22 years. Run by Phil Stonestreet and his sister Beverley Mules, the company employs some 300 staff. Since 1993, the company has grown its fleet of three buses to over 240. Rapid growth of the fleet warranted the implementation of a fleet management solution that would enable them to better service existing clients and provide for further business opportunities.

Stonestreet believes one of the secrets of the company's success is being ready for any opportunity. “It's not just about being keen, you also have to be able to act quickly," he said. “It's a competitive market and there are plenty of other charter businesses actively chasing the same work. In order to compete in the project area as well as general charter, we needed to stay on game with high safety standards and appropriate driver training — as well as effectively control our costs."

In order to deliver industry best practice, Stonestreets started investigating solutions that would help measure factors including idle time and route optimisation. The solution was Navman Wireless.

Stonestreet said, “Navman Wireless had runs on the board and seemed like a company that would be there for the long term. We're able to use reports to track real-time driver behaviour and identify any driver training issues immediately — that allows us to put processes in place to manage drivers right away, which helps us set a high bar on standards."

Close to 95% of the vehicle fleet is now fitted with Navman Wireless fleet management technology, with more than 261 active devices fitted to vehicles, including trailers and cars.

Stonestreet highlights telematics as an essential component for any fleet business. He said that while being able to achieve better driver behaviour outcomes is the most important thing, there are other benefits. “If you don't have the right systems in place today, you won't get the job. Ensuring compliance and safety are the primary objectives, but Navman Wireless helps us use our telematics systems for a lot more. Driver behaviour ties to a lot of other aspects — idle time, vehicle speed, route management or fatigue management; we can review and manage this on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. We can address issues with the client so they know they're meeting compliance requirements — it allows us to be proactive.

“The biggest challenges for a business like ours are ensuring ongoing compliance, making sure drivers are well trained and meeting client demands, all whilst controlling costs. Navman Wireless helps us achieve this," he said.

By deploying Navman Wireless across its fleet, Stonestreets Coaches has experienced benefits beyond initial expectation, which has really enabled the business.

“Stonestreets has worked with six different mining companies. All six have different IVMS requirements and we comply with every single one, through one system.

“Customer service-wise, Navman Wireless is invaluable. If someone calls looking for a bus, we can see what vehicles are on a route close by and provide them with the service they need — that's additional business for us. Also, because we operate several depots, we can easily locate vehicles and ensure they are where they're meant to be. The system allows us to be very proactive in our communication."

Stonestreets also used the Driver Scorecard for driver training and fatigue, which is beneficial for the company and the drivers. “It helps them manage their fatigue compliance as well as monitoring possible overspeeds," said Stonestreet.

Stonestreets is currently identifying strategic priorities for future development. With Navman Wireless's systems in place, Stonestreet said there's no opportunity the company couldn't take on.