Case Study: Arriva

Arriva is one of the largest bus operators in the UK, with over 12,000 driving staff providing a service across 12 regions including London.

Arriva recognised the need to provide all their driving staff with fit for purpose, anti-slip footwear. The footwear had to not only receive approval from the staff and the Unite union but also the budget requirements across the group.

EFD has been working closely with Arriva UK Bus to provide an anti slip shoe for all their driving staff across the UK.

Extensive wearer trails where conducted across the group, ensuring that all regional companies were involved. Based on the wearer trial feedback a design that met the highest Anti Slip standard (SRC) was finally approved by the Unite Union and the Arriva Group.

In late 2014, EFD project managed and supplied a full footwear issue to all regional companies. EFD visited all the depots, to explain the issue process, timescales and provided fitting sets for the staff to try on the footwear before placing their orders. This ensured that all the staff received the right size footwear.

A successful re-issue was completed across regional companies in mid-2016.

Based on feedback from the staff across the group, a new style was developed and trialed in 2016. An improved self-cleaning tread pattern, padded tongue, heel section and sole section was included in the new style, whilst still meeting the SRC anti slip standard.

The new improved style has been introduced across the group during 2017.