Sept/Oct 2003

Following the recent theft of a vehicle and equipment worth £27,000, Serco Rail Property is introducing the Masternaut Web-based telematics and vehicle tracking system throughout its North West-based vehicle fleet. The company maintains property and assets for Network Rail, and has an eight-year contract to look after stations, depots, signal boxes and other assets in the region.

Operationally, Serco has gained through being able to track staff activities in real time, and allocate the nearest suitable vehicle to any emergency. The tracking system has improved response times, the company says. It can also monitor travel times and time on site through electronic time sheets ­ gaining fully-independent verification of its activities for its customer.

Apart from the benefits gained by being able to track vehicles, Serco also reports that since installing the Masternaut system it has been saving £400 a month on fuel costs for the 25 vehicles in the region.