Compliance with PSVAR and PSVAIR dominated discussions at the UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) annual conference this year, as the coach industry prepares for the end of temporary exemptions.
UKCOA held its annual conference on 23 March, attracting its highest attendance yet, with organisers noting a combined presence of around 89 guests and speakers. The event was once again hosted by Volvo Group at its corporate office in Warwick.
Guest speakers included Callum Cooke, Cyber and Technology Practice, Midlands Lead, at insurance broker and risk manager Gallagher; Rob Munday, of the Metropolitan Police National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO); Laura Hadzik, Chair of Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC); Carl Stephens, Sales Director at Layer 4; Josef Gisslow, Product Director at Volvo Buses; and Paul O’Bentley, representing rail industry lobby organisation the Rail Delivery Group.
A unique part of this year’s conference included a mock Public Inquiry (PI), performed by James and William Backhouse alongside Senior Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney.
The PI was based on a true story, and featured an incident in which a driver of a scheduled coach service had refused boarding for a wheelchair-bound passenger. Mr Rooney noted there has been an increase in incidents around PSVAR, and the PI demonstration served to highlight the importance of awareness around the rights of disabled travellers, training, and legal obligations on operators and drivers through Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
In his presentation, Mr Cooke revealed that cyber security is becoming a hot topic for insurers, and offered an overview of cyber risk and how insurance fits into that. Mr Munday then discussed work being undertaken by NaCTSO to support venues and businesses to improve security culture, and how coach operators can take measures to safeguard their businesses from risk, while Ms Hadzik reiterated challenges around recruitment and skills shortages in driving and engineering roles, with an update on WiBC’s recent campaign work.
An update to Volvo’s current coach and bus range was offered by Mr Gisslow, with the latest news regarding the anticipated UNVI XL, currently going through homologation ahead of summer deliveries.
PSVAR discussions were joined by PSVAIR concerns in the afternoon as Mr O’Bentley provided a presentation on the technical regulations, for which a temporary exemption expires in July. In his presentation, Mr O’Bentley clarified where the rules apply and noted that temporary solutions will soon be available without the need to fully retrofit coaches. That product suite, funded through a Department for Transport and Innovate UK competition, is expected to break cover in April. routeone understands only 1% of coaches are currently recognised as being compliant with AIR. The Rail Delivery Group has been approached for further information on what it determines will be an adequate compliance figure.
Stephen Spendley, Director of Operations at UKCOA, concluded the day with a roundup of current issues affecting coach operators, noting that 2026 is going to be one of the most challenging for the industry, but that there are many opportunities ahead, with growing tourism demand, greater recognition of group travel and a better understanding of coaches at a government level.
“We were delighted by the fact we had a record number of attendees this year, and we would always encourage operators to come along and join,” comments UKCOA Managing Director Peter Bradley. “This is one of the most highly regulated industries in the country and you can always benefit from the help and support of your fellow colleagues. The trade body is an ideal way to do that.
“Overall, we are delighted the way the conference has been received and it’s all part of our mission to ensure that coach operators are kept informed.”
A more detailed roundup of this year’s conference will appear in the April 2026 issue of routeone.
