RHA’s manifesto for the Scottish Parliament election this year lobbies for regulation and policy changes to help the coach sector drive business north of the border.
Driving Scotland, which was published this week ahead of the election in Holyrood on 7 May, addresses the gap in skills and infrastructure, as well as the decarbonisation agenda, in both the coach and HGV sectors.
The document promotes the benefits of coach to society, citing KPMG research that the sector contributes £7.2 billion to the overall UK economy.
In particular, it highlights the part that coach can pay in an expanding domestic tourism market.
Although chiefly focusing on haulage in many sections, the shortage of drivers and technicians in coach – particularly when it comes to zero-emission vehicles – is referred to.
Centring on coach, it calls on the new Scottish Government to “adopt an approach to skills that allows a new generation of drivers to enter the industry direct from education, and reduces the barriers to access for those seeking a new career”.
RHA also says the Government – in the build-up to widespread use of zero-emission technology – should “create an emissions-linked rebate on fuel duty to encourage hauliers and coach operators to use HVO to cut carbon emissions”. That is partly based on the claim that using HVO in existing diesel vehicles could reduce emissions by up to 90% during the transition.
Driving Scotland further calls on the new administration to “adopt an approach to regulation that maintains the unrivalled safety record of coaches, but removes unnecessary regulation and allows the market to develop”.
Fourthly with regards to coaches, RHA wants to see an “approach to planning and infrastructure investment that includes the needs of the sector when both local and national projects are being considered”.
Richard Smith, RHA Managing Director, says: “Road transport is essential to Scotland’s economy and to communities across the country.
“Our manifesto sets out practical priorities that will help operators invest with confidence, support jobs and keep Scotland’s supply chains moving.”
Specific to coach, he adds: “Coaches are integral to Scotland’s transport network, connecting people and communities while supporting employment, tourism and local enterprise.”
