- Bus operator commits to new contract with Michelin’s Connected Solutions division
- Durability of the Michelin product helps trentbarton, and its subsidiary companies, reduce downtime and keep costs to a minimum
East Midlands public transport operator trentbarton has signed a new five-year deal with Michelin, having been impressed with the longevity and durability of the product.
The Effitires contract will see Michelin’s Connected Solutions division supply and manage the tyres on more than 400 buses servicing routes across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire for trentbarton, as well as the Wellglade Group’s other businesses Notts + Derby, TM Travel and Kinchbus.
Matt Evans, Engineering Director, trentbarton, says: “We’ve been working with Michelin for a number of years now, and I’ve been a big advocate of the product for a long-time. It is widely regarded as the best tyre on the market. The sidewall protection is second to none, which helps to keep any disruption to our services and unnecessary costs to an absolute minimum. That’s really the most important thing from an operator point of view.”
The new agreement will see Michelin supply the tyres direct to trentbarton, whose in-house team will handle the fitting and all replacement work. Michelin will also carry out fleet-wide inspections as part of the agreement, ensuring the customer is getting the most from every tyre while maximising uptime and compliance.
All the tyres will be carefully managed through a multi-life policy with Michelin’s skilled technicians regrooving them once the tread depth reaches 3-4mm, helping to extend each casing’s life in its most fuel-efficient state. Once the regrooved tyres have worn, they will be retreaded at the Michelin Remix plant in Stoke – a process which saves natural resources, doubles the Michelin casing lifespan and supports UK manufacturing.
The buses will be running predominantly on products from the MICHELIN X InCity range. The business is planning to move a portion of its fleet to the new 265/70 R19.5 X InCity EV Z fitments. Designed for electric buses, the tyres also offer outstanding performance for traditional diesel vehicles, with an improved sidewall for urban usage and a wet grip design.
“Michelin products always stand the test of time and the level of service we get from the team is very good,” adds Evans.
“The Michelins tend to wear evenly as well. In my experience, that can be a real issue for other manufacturers. Overall, we had no reason to look elsewhere.”
About Michelin
Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world.
Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tyres and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare.
The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide.
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