In this world of uncertainties: Brexit, Plan B and franchising, what’s in store for the coach and bus industry this year?
Sadly, I can’t make the Confederation of Passenger Transport’s (CPT) annual dinner this year, which is a shame as this is a more important occasion than, arguably, is normally the case.
All annual dinners are important, of course, but given the changes that the CPT is now going through, the coming together of the collective industry clan has the potential to spark lively, if informal, debate about the direction of travel the CPT is taking.
I have no doubt that the President, Martin Dean, who has agreed to extend his presidential term for another year, will have a few words to say on the matter; the Buses Minister, Nustrat Ghani, might too, as it would be odd if the department did not have a view given the importance of the CPT as the industry’s trade association.
Plan B outcome
By the time of the annual dinner we will know the outcome of the parliamentary votes on Theresa May’s Brexit Plan B – although there’s precious little difference between Plan B and Plan A – and the various amendments tabled against the government motion designed to either take a “no deal” off the table or to extend the Article 50 deadline.
I also have little doubt that the Minister will have a few words to say about the current state of play on Brexit, although I doubt she will be able to say what the final outcome of all of this will be – as, in all honesty, nobody knows.
Whether Mr Dean and Ms Ghani have anything new to say about the core direction of travel on coach and bus policy, I’m far from clear as the policy landscape hasn’t changed one jot since last year, or indeed since the passing of the Bus Services Act 2017.
Issue of franchising
That’s not to say there aren’t any issues and challenges of relevance happening today, there are (the clean air strategy for example and many other issues besides).
But on the core structural issue of franchising, no authority has yet introduced a franchise let alone published any franchise proposals, despite much huffing and puffing from some.
I remain perplexed by the position of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which has still to come forward with its franchise proposals some four years after negotiating that infamous devolution agreement with the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, with bus franchising said to be an absolute pre-condition of the authority agreeing to the agreement.
Still, I hope the collective coach and bus industry has a jolly good night. I’ll miss it and miss catching up with friends new and old.
What does the next year holds for us? Brexit done and dusted, or perhaps a second referendum or a general election?
But in this world of uncertainties, I reckon there is one thing we can predict with confidence: This time next year there will still be no bus franchises.
