Vehicle and Driver Specification

Transcription

1 Vehicle and Driver Specification 1. VEHICLE Vehicles used in the performance of all Quality Contracts Agreements shall, at all times, comply with the following requirements and the minimum capacity as laid down in the Service Specification : A. Engine Type/Emissions Vehicles used must be fitted with an engine which, as a minimum, meets the Euro V emission standard. Retro fitting of engines compliant with this standard on vehicles of an older age is permitted, however, the vehicle age and refurbishment restrictions listed in part 8 (below) will still apply. All buses should be fitted with an operational driver behaviour management system (e.g. ECO Manager) to help deliver fuel efficient driving techniques with additional training provided to drivers who do not meet minimum standards and incentives put in place to reward drivers for good performance. B. Accessibility All Quality Contract vehicles need to be low floor easy access and fitted with wheelchair ramps which are fully operational on each working day. Vehicles fitted with middle/rear passenger entry/exit doors are not permitted on any Quality Contract service (with the sole exception of articulated buses). This restriction does not apply to middle/rear emergency exit doors. In addition to this, all contracted vehicles will need comply with Schedules 1 and 2 of the PSV Accessibility Regulations 2000 (as amended or as substituted by Legislation) and the Contractor will provide to Nexus on request either: i. A PSV Accessibility Certificate (PSVA 2) or, ii. A PSV Certificate of Conformity (PSVA 5) C. Bus Exterior 1. Vehicles used in the performance of this contract must be painted in a livery specified by Nexus. The vehicle will need to be re painted at least every 4 years at the expense of the Operator. Appendix S Vehicle and Driver Specification

2 2. Vehicles used on all Quality Contract services must not have any third party advertising on the exterior (except materials provided by Nexus or contractors working on behalf of Nexus located which must be located within designated advertising frames). 3. All route number and destination displays must conform to Schedule 2 of the PSV Accessibility Regulations 2000 (As amended). The forward, side and rear destination displays must be kept in working order. The designated destination and service number as specified in the Service Schedule must be shown to the front and the designated service number to the side and rear. Only electronic destination displays will be permitted for use on all quality contract vehicles. D. General 1. Each vehicle must be equipped with Advanced Vehicle Location (AVL) and an agreed form of two way voice/data communications to enable quick and efficient contact between the driver of the vehicle and the Contractors operating depot/base(s) and provision of real time passenger information, to be available at all times. 2. Each vehicle must be equipped with internal/external digital Closed Circuit Television Equipment (CCTV) which shall be in working condition with recorded images regularly monitored by the Contractor s staff. The Contractor will allow the use of the recorded images should this prove necessary and appropriate. 3. Each vehicle must be equipped with smart (ITSO) enabled Electronic Ticket Machines (ETMs). It is for the operator to determine the specific make and model, but in all cases the Operator should check compatibility with Nexus in house systems. 4. Smoking must be prohibited in the entire vehicle (including the upper deck on double deck vehicles) and signs indicating this must be displayed throughout the vehicle and must meet current Legislation. 5. There must be space provided in proximity to the entrance for the storage of shopping bags, trolleys and folded pushchairs. This may be provided over a wheel arch. 6. The Contractor must take all reasonable steps to ensure that all vehicles used in the performance of all Quality Contract services are clean and damage free (inside and out), at all times. To meet this

3 requirement it is recommended that all vehicles are cleaned prior to entry into daily service both internally and externally (externally subject to health and safety risks associated with sub zero temperatures) including removal of all litter, graffiti and etching. A deep clean should also take place on every vehicle at least once every 4 weeks. 7. Internally, vehicles will be required to display notices which will either measure not more than A4 size or be of cove card size and: a. give point of contact for suggestions, complaints etc., to Nexus in respect of services and passes/tickets organised by Nexus. b. give details of changes to services or arrangements at Bank Holidays, promote passes/tickets organised by Nexus or indicate other information which may be relevant to the travelling public. c. These notices will be supplied by Nexus. It will be the Contractor s responsibility to display them on their vehicles at their own expense PROVIDED that there shall be at any one time no more than two such notices affixed to either saloon of the vehicle in a position to be decided by the Contractor. 8. Vehicles used on all Quality Contract services must not have any third party advertising on the interior (except materials provided by Nexus or contractors working on behalf of Nexus located which must be located within designated advertising frames). 9. A mid life refurbishment (interior and exterior) will be a mandatory contractual requirement for all vehicles prior to their 8 th year of passenger service. 10. The maximum age of vehicles permitted on all Quality Contracts is 12 years. This requirement applies throughout the initial 7 year term of each contract, but not within the discretionary extension years (1+1+1). 11. Nexus shall have the right to install (at its own expense), other equipment on vehicles used in the performance of this contract. 12. Nexus shall have the right to make arrangements (at its own expense) for any of the vehicles used in performance of a Quality

4 Contract to be subjected to examination by a suitably qualified independent third party. Any vehicle failing such an examination must be withdrawn from the operation of the Services until it is reexamined by the independent third party. The costs of any reexamination will be borne by the Contractor. 13. The Contractor undertakes to use in performance of this contract only such vehicles as conform at least to the requirements of the Vehicle Specification, the Letter of Award and the Service Specification Schedule. Nexus shall have the right to require the Contractor to have spare vehicles, over and above the number required for the performance of this contract, so as to ensure that at all times the Service are provided with such vehicles as conform at least to these requirements. 14. All buses should be fitted with a means of avoidance of condensation, such as air conditioning, double glazing or forced air ventilation. Particular attention should be given to reducing noise and vibration. Ventilation and heating systems on buses maintained to ensure a comfortable environment appropriate to the outside temperature at all times. 15. The Contractor shall provide Nexus with a list of vehicles to be used on this contract, which must be updated throughout the life of the contract, and as a minimum will show: a. Fleet number b. The number inserted into the Electronic Ticket Machine to identify the vehicle (if this is different to that shown at a) above) c. Vehicle registration number d. Vehicle make and type e. Engine emission standard (to ensure compliance with Section A of this Schedule) f. Seating and standing capacity g. Vehicle age h. Details of refurbishment work completed

5 i. Details of compliance with the PSV Accessibility Regulations 2000 (the holding of either a PSVA 2 or PSVA 5 certificate for each vehicle) 2. DRIVER Drivers operating the Services shall, at all times, comply with the following requirements: 1. In accordance with all PCV Regulations and EU Directives, Drivers must hold an appropriate Driving Licence. 2. All drivers must have passed the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and subsequent periodic training requirements. 3. All drivers shall receive regular training that shall include caring for the customer, route learning and disability awareness. Nexus shall reserve the right to approve the content of such training courses. 4. At the Contractor s expense, drivers will be supplied with and wear uniform which should as a minimum include shirt, sweater, trousers and anorak. Drivers should wear such items of uniform at all times when operating the Services commensurate with the prevailing weather conditions. 5. Except for vehicles fitted with hands free mobile telephones, the use of mobile telephones by drivers whilst the vehicle is in motion is strictly forbidden at all times. 6. All drivers operating scholars services will be required to hold a valid enhanced CRB clearance certificate.