Dyson Group enhances bus driver safety and security

Australian telecommunications carrier Vertel has partnered with Dysons Buses to deliver a communications upgrade, with push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) devices with covert push-to-video duress features for its fleet of buses operating throughout regional Victoria and NSW to enhance driver safety and security.

Dyson Group is a family-owned and -operated bus company that operates more than 650 buses and coaches while employing over 1300 staff, many of which operate in geographic areas that aren’t effectively supported by mobile service or traditional radio communications. Following multiple acquisitions, Dyson Group’s growing fleet inherited a variety of different communications systems, including mobile and ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) radios, which created challenges for drivers communicating with other drivers, depots and head office.

To consolidate its communications systems and deliver a consistent communications channel to its drivers and employees for improved safety and security, Dyson Group engaged its longstanding partner, Vertel, to discuss possibilities for a PoC communications upgrade.

“Dyson Group has a commitment to its drivers, as well as the general public, to deliver a safe and secure means of transportation,” said Roy Dyson, Regional Operations Manager at Dyson Group. “Without reliable communication, our drivers could be put at risk in regional areas without being able to communicate their location or request assistance in the event of an incident or emergency.

“The Vertel team, including one of Vertel’s premium channel partners, Combined Communications, listened to our requirements and came back to us with a technical solution that would meet our needs. The team worked closely with us to provide a customised solution that would keep our drivers safe on the roads without risking a loss of communication in unsupported regional areas.”

The PoC solution that Vertel put forward for Dyson Group is a sophisticated mobile communications platform that combines the features of traditional two-way radio with the data functionality of smartphones, including underlying GPS tracking capabilities. It looks like a traditional two-way radio and is easily attached to the driver’s dashboard with double-sided, heat-activated 3M tape. The solution features a built-in camera and includes covert push-to-video duress features that let Dyson Group’s drivers alert head office to an incident while generating real-time video footage without alerting perpetrators.

Vertel’s PoC solution can be installed within 30 min, making it a simple-to-use system that Dyson Group can easily install in more vehicles over time as its footprint continues to grow. It can also be managed remotely, which means Dyson Group’s IT team can install updates from one location so that each vehicle has access to the most up-to-date communications platform.

“The Vertel PoC solution helps keep mobile workforces safe, in touch and productive, and is ideal for life- and mission-critical applications,” said Tony Hudson, Commercial Director at Vertel. “Driver safety is of the utmost importance to Dyson Group, and the Vertel PoC solution with built-in covert duress features was especially customised to meet the company’s unique requirements in ensuring driver safety while not alerting potential perpetrators and giving dispatchers and emergency services real-time vision of what is happening on the bus.”

Dyson concluded, “Our drivers deal with people from all walks of life in public transport. It would not be an uncommon occurrence for a driver to want to inform head office of what’s happening on their vehicle without wanting to inflame a situation. Drivers know that if they activate the duress feature, there is always someone at Dyson that is aware of what’s happening on the vehicle and able to provide support as needed. The customisation that Vertel delivered with this feature was essential in meeting our commitment to drivers and the public to deliver our services and upholding our reputation for high standards of safety and reliability.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Igor Vershinsky