HCT Group improves management of bus fleet with Freeway Fleet Management System.
London-based HCT Group is using Freeway’s fleet management system to capture and analyse maintenance data for all the Group’s 500 vehicles, helping managers to maintain a highly efficient fleet and uphold a high level of service for its customers.


Freeway’s fleet maintenance programme enables HCT Group’s workshops to plan and schedule routine servicing, inspections and MOTs. The software provides full visibility of the company’s existing parts inventory and helps to control the cost of restocking. Freeway is fully integrated, so information is entered only once. For example, a spare parts request generates a purchase order, and the inventory and accounts package are automatically updated.
“Freeway draws the user’s attention to key problem areas, such as a particular vehicle or category of vehicle,” explained Patrick Tandy, Managing Director, Freeway Fleet Systems. “The system then identifies areas of high cost, which could be anything from fuel or tyres to repairs and maintenance. Then, direct causes of inefficiency are pinpointed, for example, unusually high expenditure on brakes, allowing the user to take immediate and fully informed action.”
“The information Freeway provides allows for improved management of our vehicle assets throughout the Group,” said Mike Swan, Materials Controller, HCT Group. “Freeway correctly allocates costs, and we can track assets and their history.”
“What makes Freeway unique is its flexibility,” said Steve Perks, Group Head of Engineering, HCT Group. “Freeway listened to our business needs and adapted the product accordingly so it meets our requirements.”
“Freeway’s versatility sets it apart from other fleet management solutions,” added Swan. “It is also refreshing to work with a software provider who listens to and understands our business needs and tailors development of their programme to meet those needs.”
The HCT Group uses its commercial contracts to generate funds for community transport and training projects, which operate under the name of HCT Group or local community transport brands such as Bristol Community Transport. The commercial arm operates under the name of CT Plus CIC, with subsidiaries CT Plus (Yorkshire) CIC, CT Plus Guernsey and CT Plus Jersey.
Dai Powell, HCT Group Chief Executive, has won the UK Social Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
The Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards recognise and celebrate entrepreneurship in its many forms – including social enterprise. This category recognises social enterprises that are viable, profitable enterprises that exist for social good and that reinvest profits towards their social mission. Speaking about the award, Dai said “I’m delighted to have won – particularly in a very strong national field with outstanding fellow social enterprises.”
“I may have been the person collecting the prize, but it is a testament to the thousand-strong team at HCT Group that provide our services, our partner commissioners, social investors, communities and other stakeholders, all combining to help us build a sustainable organisation with a lasting social impact.”
To be eligible for the UK-wide award, Dai first had to win the London and South east award, held in June this year.
About HCT Group
HCT Group is a social enterprise in the transport industry, safely providing over 20 million passenger trips on our buses every year. Theydeliver a range of transport services – from London red buses to social services transport, from school transport to Park and Ride, from community transport to education and training, and reinvest the profits from our commercial work into further transport services or projects in the communities they serve.