It's that time of year again when the nights are dark and the temperatures are freezing!

This time of year is particularly dangerous for those who drive for work, such as taxi drivers or coach drivers.

Here are our top tips for safe driving this winter.

Car Checklist

As a professional driver, you also have the added worry of the safety of your passengers to think about.&nbsp; Keeping a kit in your car means you're prepared should you find yourself in a challenging situation.

Our winter car kit checklist includes:

<ul>
	<li>Blankets/extra clothing</li>
	<li>Hi-vis</li>
	<li>Food and water</li>
	<li>De-icer and ice scraper</li>
	<li>Portable phone charger</li>
	<li>Torch</li>
	<li>First aid kit</li>
	<li>Tow rope/jump leads</li>
</ul>

Winter Car Check

Making sure your vehicle is winter ready is highly important, particularly when driving on icy roads.

You should ensure:

<ul>
	<li>Screen wash, anti-freeze, and other fluids are topped up</li>
	<li>All lights are working including headlights and brake lights</li>
	<li>Tyres are inflated, have sufficient tread, and no tears</li>
	<li>Windscreen wipers are working correctly</li>
	<li>Battery is charged</li>
</ul>

Driving for the conditions

Make sure you drive according to the conditions so that includes driving slowly if required and knowing when to stop if visibility becomes an issue.&nbsp; If you enter a fog patch, switch your fog lights on and slow down, allowing extra space from the vehicle in front.

You can get further information from <a href="https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/winter-driving/">The RAC on driving in winter, and other weather conditions here.</a>

Whether you need an expert service for sponsored events, business hospitality, meetings, or conference travel, we’re here for you. Our comprehensive travel service covers a whole variety of events and corporate clients trust us to provide high-quality solutions. Get to where you need to be, completely hassle-free.

Whether it’s a single taxi for a party of two or a complete train charter for a whole business of people, we can cater to all of your conference travel needs. We will get your delegates, customers or staff to the right destination safely and on time, so you’re free to focus on the event itself and make sure it goes off without a hitch.

<h2>Efficient Meeting Travel Solutions</h2>

Open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, our control and management centre has access to an extensive network of vehicle providers, as well as trained team of customer service specialists. We utilise only the best tools to ensure that your event goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

When you first make contact with us, we will deploy a suitable team of consultants and unique management systems. These will work together to suit all your individual requirements for conference travel or for other types of events.

Regardless of the size of your company, you can rely on us to provide the best meeting travel solutions for your business. We understand how important it is to get conference travel right; we deliver a service built with business objectives in mind, making sure that you know you can count on reliable travel solutions.

<h2>Do You Need Expert Conference Travel Services? Get in Touch</h2>

You can find out all about our team <a href="https://www.firsttravelsolutions.com/our-team">here</a>. Why not let us do the planning and management for you and be assured of safety and quality to the highest degree? Our meeting travel consultants will ensure that your individual business requirements are met with our reliable solutions.&nbsp;

For further information on conference travel, please call 0345 528 0270 or email <a href="mailto:travel.solutions@firstgroup.com">travel.solutions@firstb</a><a href="mailto:travel.solutions@firstbus.co.uk">us.co.uk</a>. We’re always happy to answer any questions you might have.

Meeting & Conference Travel Solutions

When planning for a major international convention hit a snag, First Travel Solutions stepped in to help.

<h2>The Challenge</h2>

In 2014 the Jehovah’s Witnesses held their international convention in the UK. The event was held at Twickenham Stadium, with live telecasts to six other UK venues and internationally.

First Travel Solutions had worked with the church a year earlier in Leeds. For that event, we had transported 50 congregations from across the north of England. Because the venue had very limited parking, we had devised a precise schedule to allow smooth access for each coach.

On the basis of that successful project, the Jehovah’s Witnesses asked us to supply transport for the regional elements of the international convention – supporting venues in Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.

However, a few weeks before the event, the church realised that its London contractor was unable to meet its needs for the main Twickenham venue. At short notice, we were asked to plan and deliver transport for this complex operation.

<h2>The Solution</h2>

We quickly realised that a park-and-ride solution would be the most efficient option to cope with the huge volume of worshippers who would arrive at Twickenham.

We contacted nearby Kempton Park racecourse. We arranged to set up a large coach park there, where vehicles could stay during the course of the three-day conference.

In the run-up to the event, we provided taxi and mini-bus transport for international visitors between airport and hotel, and then to Twickenham.

Sourcing the volume of coaches required during the event was a challenge. We drew on our extensive network of trusted providers around the UK, coordinating up to 500 vehicles a day at Twickenham and the regional venues.

We provided stewards at Kempton Park and Twickenham who liaised constantly with our round-the-clock control room to track each vehicle and deal with any breakdowns, cancellations or requests for additional support.

<h2>The Result</h2>

The convention proved highly successful, with smooth-running transport throughout. In London alone we moved some 14,900 passengers over the three days, using 272 vehicles. Nationwide, we deployed over 600 vehicles.

As a result, we continue to support local Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations around the UK with their regular travel needs.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

When planning for the Jehovah’s Witnesses' international convention at Twickenham hit a snag, First Travel Solutions stepped in to help deliver transport.

Organisers of major events have safe and smooth travel as key priorities while also ensuring that customers enjoy themselves. In events, quick and safe arrivals and departures are important for ensuring everything runs as efficiently as possible. At First Travel Solutions, we believe in providing expert festival travel services for all our clients.

We’ll take festival and event visitors directly where they wish to go, providing festival bus hire to large groups. Make your event pain-free with expert event travel management that offers your event visitors reliable transportation.

<h2>Reliable Festival Travel for any Occasion</h2>

Over the years, we have created bespoke and seamless transport services for music events such as Parklife, Boomtown and Leeds Festival. These events draw thousands of visitors each year from across the country, so it can certainly be a challenge to ensure they are transported safely and without delay. However, it’s a challenge that we’re more than capable of handling. <a href="https://firsttravelsolutions.com/case-studies/leeds-festival-2016">Here’s how we handled Leeds Festival in 2016</a>.

How do we do this? We draw on our extensive network of trusted operators to provide both drivers and vehicles. To help organise the whole operation, our trained coordinators are on the ground to ensure efficient ticket sales, seamless vehicle loading and transfers, and to respond quickly should delays start to arise.

This is all overseen by our round-the-clock control centre, which is able to respond swiftly to any problems and provide precise vehicle tracking. Organisers can focus on their line-up, while festival goers can relax and enjoy the show, knowing they can get home safety when the music stops.

<h2>Professional Event Travel Management</h2>

Our team is highly experienced in event travel management, delivering solutions and reliable services. Safety is one of our top priorities, which is why we ensure that we provide only the best festival travel. We understand how big event organisers need to rely on high-quality solutions and we’re here to deliver.

Do you want to know more about our festival coach hire service? For further details, please call 0345 528 0270 or email <a href="mailto:travel.solutions@firstgroup.com">travel.solutions@</a><a href="mailto:travel.solutions@firstbus.co.uk">firstbus.co.uk</a>. Our team is here to help you find the event travel management solution that fits your company’s individual needs.&nbsp;

Festival & Event Transport Solutions

The challenge

Massive Attack, one of Bristol’s most famed bands, played two huge homecoming gigs at the purpose-built Steel Yard at Filton Airfield in early spring 2019.

Each concert attracted an audience of 14,000 fans and working in partnership with the Big Green Coach Company (BGC), First Travel Solutions (FTS) were appointed by TravelWest to support the local transport provision between Bristol city centre and the venue.

Bristol City Council were keen to test the feasibility of the airfield as a venue and one of the main considerations was how transport could be delivered for thousands of attendees in a quick and efficient manner and in a way that didn’t cause significant local disruption.

The solution

FTS worked with BCG, the council and the concert organisers to develop a park and ride solution to connect the venue and concert attendees to the city centre.

FTS operated 70 plus buses, provided by colleagues from First West of England, a mobile ticket shop, in the form of a bus and on the ground co-ordinators.

Queuing systems were set up in the Broad Quay area of the city and buses called in as needed to avoid&nbsp; &nbsp; city centre congestion.

FTS also provided pre event consultancy and demand management assessment and were able to deploy their expertise in traffic management along the 6.5 mile route.

The result

The park ride operation was a massive success transporting thousands of concert goers to and from the venue and reducing the congestion impact on the local road network.

The feedback after the event provided enough evidence to prove that concerts could successfully be held there with specific praise given to the transport arrangements that were in place.&nbsp;

The main driver of public opinion as to the success of any outdoor event is the speed at which venues are safely cleared and FTS were able to meet and exceed council on such.

Local media also praised the efficiency of the bus operation.

Massive Attack

Winter Driving Tips

Booking a taxi or a bunch of taxis (known as a flock!) has never been easier right?

Well, right and wrong – there is a national shortage of taxi drivers which means it is difficult for them to meet the demand consistently.&nbsp; Booking direct has become increasingly difficult.

How can you make this easier?&nbsp; We’ve got our top 3 tips below:

&nbsp;

<ol>
	<li style="margin-left:8px">More journey time</li>
</ol>

Don’t guess – let experts help you work it out so your pick-up and drop-off times are accurate and take into account any external factors – like traffic or the impact of disruption from other modes. 

&nbsp;

<ol start="2">
	<li style="margin-left:8px">Book ahead</li>
</ol>

If you’re aware of the requirement for taxi travel, book in advance.&nbsp; And by advance, that can mean weeks or days ahead for some.&nbsp; If you know your proposed travel, get it booked now.

&nbsp;

<ol start="3">
	<li style="margin-left:8px">Book online with your own bespoke account</li>
</ol>

This means you can login in any time, easily book your taxi and track your vehicle when the time comes.&nbsp; Invoicing is all taken care of with one invoice and one payment each month.

&nbsp;

With FTS Taxi Online, you can book your taxi journeys and more, within your own bespoke account.

&nbsp;

Fast, efficient, and reliable

Our self-service platform allows your business to book travel requirements directly with us through our powerful client accounts portal.

Customisable to meet your business needs, create travel policies that suit your business rules, and empower your employees with the ability to book direct or book on behalf of others.&nbsp; 

Our client portal allows you to set budgets, spend limits, hours of operation and limit vehicle choices, and more.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;

<a href="https://register.firsttravelsolutions.com/">Click here to register for your account today.</a>

Top Tips for Taxi Travel

First Travel Solutions are proud to be nominated in this year’s Meeting Industry Association List Awards in the Supplier of the Year category and for two categories at the Taxi Summit Awards for Innovation and Aggregator of the year.

It’s the first time that First Travel Solutions have been nominated for these prestigious awards, from the MIA and Taxi Summit Awards and is symbolic of their visionary growth plans.

The MIA awards recognise and shine a spotlight on the meeting sector’s finest talent and recognise those who go above and beyond. &nbsp;FTS work with the sector now and will be growing the meeting and conference solutions more in 2023 as they support the sector with UK travel arrangements as more customers strive for sustainable ways to deliver their events holistically.

The Taxi Summit Award nominations are in two categories for Innovation – an award recognises an individual or team that has created an innovative product – which for FTS is their brand-new Taxi Booking Tool, a bespoke software plug-in that has been developed in-house at FTS and allows businesses to sign up and book travel wherever and whenever required. &nbsp;The Taxi Booking Tool allows businesses to sign up employees with accounts, makes invoicing simple and gives the user tracking and booking information in the palm of their hand.

They are also nominated for Aggregator of the year – awarded to the provider that consistently meets the needs of clients, which FTS have proven successful in throughout the last 5 years and fits perfectly with their promise to deliver better experiences for everyone.

To find out more about the awards and to vote please see the links below.

<a href="https://www.taxisummit.com">https://www.taxisummit.com</a>

<a href="https://www.mia-uk.org/miaList-2022">https://www.mia-uk.org/miaList-2022</a>

Award Nominations on board for First Travel Solutions as they continue to grow in 2022

Following a busy summer of festivals and events, First Travel Solutions are delighted to announce the appointment of Katie Johnson to the newly created role of Business Operations Director. &nbsp;The role is focused on improving our operations internally and externally to deliver the best experiences to our clients and their customers, as we continue to grow our business.

Katie joins us from e.on Energy (and previously First Direct Bank) where she worked for 14 years in senior operational &amp; strategic roles including leading change, digital operations and customer services during a challenging time in the energy industry.

Our “Why” at First Travel Solutions is Delivering Better Experiences and Katie is leading the team in ensuring this is delivered every time, at every event for our customers. &nbsp;Which means ensuring our people are having the best experience too.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

We have recently been awarded the Rail Replacement contracts for Avanti West Coast and Katie and the team will be heavily involved in ensuring any disruption to clients and customers is minimal.

&nbsp;

Katie said of her appointment; “I am delighted to be joining First Travel Solutions at such an innovative time for growth in this sector. FTS are on a rapid trajectory to provide the best managed transport solution in the UK and I am ready to take the team to that next level in the excellence of operational delivery.”

Andy Scholey, MD of First Travel Solutions commented on the new role; “After a quiet 18 months during the height of COVID with many festivals, conferences and sporting events cancelled or closed to spectators we took the time to look inward at our business and identify what we needed in place to take FTS to the next level.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The appointment of Katie to the Business Operations Director role means that we can use Katie’s award-winning customer experience skills and change management knowledge to deliver the very best solutions to our clients. &nbsp;We have several projects being delivered at the end of 2022 and into 2023 that Katie will ensure are created and managed with customer experience at the heart of them.”

&nbsp;

The First Travel Solutions team will be at the Euro Bus Expo in Birmingham in 1-3 November and the Meeting and Events International Summit taking place in Manchester on the 26th of October.

New Business Operations Director for First Travel Solutions

We are pleased to be attending Euro Bus Expo again from 1st – 3rd November, after a 3-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

We’re looking forward to catching up with industry friends and colleagues as well as meeting potential new customers and suppliers.

Come see us on Stand A58.

&nbsp;

Our Sales team will also be attending CHS Birmingham on Tuesday 1st November at the ICC Birmingham as a Delegate Wranglers stand partner.

&nbsp;The event showcases the event industry and we will be engaging with industry professionals to show how our managed transport solutions can help make events a real success.

&nbsp;We look forward to seeing everyone there!

&nbsp;

We're on the road!

Here at First Travel Solutions, we’re focused on providing services that have sustainability at their core.

The vital role of public transport has never been clearer in helping to address the challenges of climate change. 

In April 2021, our parent company, FirstGroup became the first bus and rail operator in the UK to formally commit to setting an ambitious, science-based target aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C and to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.

And what does that mean?&nbsp; 

As a group, FirstGroup has made several commitments including:

<ul>
	<li>No more diesel buses purchased after 2022</li>
	<li>Encouraging the switch from private car journeys to our array of travel solutions</li>
	<li>To support accessibility and inclusion to enable people to make the switch to low-carbon travel</li>
</ul>

Being a division of FirstGroup, we’re at the heart of the drive to make travel more sustainable.

With a recent article suggesting that business travel will become ‘more purposeful’, you may find that you are having to justify the carbon cost of any travel that is involved with your meeting or event.

How can we help?

There’s much talk about running sustainable meetings and events at the moment and having properly managed transport for your meeting or event is an easy win - FTS can help organise all your travels needs meaning removing more cars off the road and switching people to coaches to get instant carbon savings.&nbsp; You might be thinking – a diesel coach?!&nbsp; But with advances in super-efficient engines, diesel is a lot better than it used to be!&nbsp; Clearly new sources of power such as hybrid, full electric and hydrogen are all future possibilities which are being trialled at the present time.&nbsp; Each presents its own challenges in terms of supply chain logistics to take over from diesel, so this can’t happen overnight.&nbsp;

Easily put:

<img alt="Picture of graph showing green transport options" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32ea11e4-58e3-4964-97e5-a44aeb2a0147" height="238" src="http://admin.firsttravelsolutions.com/sites/default/files/public/inline-images/Picture%201.jpg" width="426" /> 
(Graphic courtesy of <a href="https://www.cpt-uk.org/">Confederation of Passenger Transport</a>)

Next time you’re wondering how you can make your next meeting or event more sustainable and greener – just give us a call we’d love to help!

Call us on 0345 528 0270 or drop us an email at <a href="mailto:travel.solutions@firstbus.co.uk" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">travel.solutions@firstbus.co.uk</a>

&nbsp;

Making your business travel sustainable

Why are school trips important?

It is without doubt that school residential trips are a huge and positive benefit for children during their time in education. The outcomes and experiences for children can last a lifetime, encouraging real learning opportunities for real life situations, whilst promoting resilience, communication skills, self confidence and most of all making children feel they belong to a community where interaction with others is key to creating positive outcomes and opportunities.&nbsp; &nbsp;

How can a school justify the cost of a trip to parents in these difficult times?

For the above reasons school leaders shouldn't lose sight of the significant added value opportunities for pupils' development through outdoor learning. It is key to get these messages across when asking parents to consider making an investment to allow their child to take part. We all recognise the real squeeze on household budgets that we are all feeling just now, but it's important to ensure that children don't lose out on what might be the most important single experience in their schooling. Now is not the time to ditch these life affirming experiences.

Historically, residentials have mainly had the greatest demand between April and mid July, but that's when the costs are usually at their highest and when demand is at it's greatest. Why not take time to consider how a low season visit might fit into your school calendar and how the associated lower costs might make it much easier for parents to agree to include their child on a visit?

We can help you offer the same high quality experience but at a lower season time of year for a much lower cost.&nbsp;

Delivered in partnership with our friends at Kingswood, these low season, all-inclusive packages are delivered between&nbsp;October 2022&nbsp;and&nbsp;March 2023. Despite the low season months, trips provide real value for money, promoting inclusivity, whilst also addressing the growing burden on household budgets.

Includes:&nbsp;Return Coach Travel – Accommodation – Meals – Activities

This all inclusive offer is only available when booking directly with First Education &amp; School Travel.

These award-winning residential programmes are designed to discover the potential in every child. They’ll enjoy a taste of adventure and a sense of independence, developing confidence and resilience as well as developing key life skills which will last way beyond their return to the classroom.

Enjoy exhilarating and challenging activities from archery to zip wires, staying in comfortable accommodation and enjoy their great new menu too.

Everything is included – book now to reserve your space!

Stay for two nights between October 2022 and March 2023 and enjoy a carefully selected blend of activities that aim to develop character through discovery, exploration, play and challenge activities, all intertwined with fun and interesting curriculum links.

Simply call us on&nbsp;0203 467 2002&nbsp;or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:school.travel@firstbus.co.uk">school.travel@firstbus.co.uk</a>&nbsp;to discuss your requirements with our specialist team.

School Trips - still important for pupils despite cost of living challenges

Summer has arrived this week in the UK with news of record-breaking temperatures.

&nbsp;

We want everyone to travel safely during extreme weather conditions so here are our top tips:

•&nbsp;Always take a bottle of water with you.

• Travel in lighter clothes which allow airflow.

• Please be kind to your driver, as they are also taking steps to deal with the heat and get you to where you need to be.

• Always apply sun cream.

&nbsp;

If you've booked your corporate event travel with FTS, you could be travelling in air-conditioned vehicles, arriving relaxed and refreshed.

&nbsp;

For more information on how booking with FTS can help keep you and your travellers safe in these weather conditions, then you can email <a href="david.a.gardner@firsttravelsolutions.com">david.a.gardner@firsttravelsolutions.com</a> or <a href="paul.upton@firsttravelsolutions.com">paul.upton@firsttravelsolutions.com</a> who will be happy to help.

Top Travel Tips in Hot Weather

What is Frictionless Travel?

&nbsp;

How can suppliers and Travel Management Companies come together to take the friction out of travel?&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

And what does that mean?&nbsp; 

&nbsp;

Travel friction is the negative impact travel has on customers.&nbsp; The anxiety of the unknown elements; basically anything that may negatively impact the customer physically or has a negative effect on their mindset.&nbsp;&nbsp;So what helps to take this away?&nbsp; There are a few key areas that can make the journey experience so much better for the traveller…

&nbsp;

A customer focused team

Everyone in the business working to ensure the exact specification for the customer is met.&nbsp; From the sales team, to control, to the vehicle procurement and quality assessments.

&nbsp;

The right vehicle

If you need a value taxi to a luxury coach – you want to make sure the vehicle is right for you and your journey.&nbsp; And if you’re not sure – get some guidance.&nbsp; Not just to make sure you have enough seats but to check things like accessibility, luggage storage, safety features and even a kitchen for some!

&nbsp;

Great Value

The right price for your journey.&nbsp; So it delivers exactly what you expect and that you know from the start.&nbsp; No surprises.&nbsp; Unknown extras be gone.&nbsp; A clear and detailed quote so you can rest easy that you know exactly what you will pay, plus when and how you need to.

&nbsp;

Here at First Travel Solutions, we have defined our why for all our customers – we will deliver better experiences.

&nbsp;

We help to take travel friction away because all our team focus on the journey experience from start to finish – it is something we are passionate about, and the expert team have event and transport experience which is second to none.&nbsp; We back this up with our ISO certifications, 24/7 access to our call centre, a 15-minute pre pick up time window and GPS tracking on all the vehicles we use so that if something does go wrong, we can resolve it quickly.

&nbsp;

Get in touch with our team today on 0345 528 0270 or email <a href="mailto:travel.solutions@firstgroup.com" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">travel.solutions@firstb</a><a href="mailto:travel.solutions@firstbus.co.uk" style="box-sizing:inherit; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-numeric:inherit; font-variant-east-asian:inherit; font-stretch:inherit; line-height:inherit; cursor:pointer; text-align:start; color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">us.co.uk</a>. We’re always happy to answer any questions you might have.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

We create solutions that reduce complexity, making travel smoother and life easier. 

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