September and the approach of autumn has a new term feel for many, especially those coach operators whose businesses revolve around school transport.
With a fresh intake of pupils and students there is much to adjust, with differing journey patterns depending on where the new starters are travelling from.
I suspect that is what it feels like in parliament too; an election just before the summer recess and now MPs, and especially ministers, are getting to grips with their new briefs and agreeing priorities within their departments.
Simon Lightwood MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, who has responsibility for local transport, including coaches and buses, started the month by catching up with some of his stakeholders, including the UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA). It is refreshing to have time with those who will guide and have influence on the decision making process, and to be asked what issues are at the top of the pile on coach operators’ desks and, therefore, for the trade bodies that represent them.
I highlighted in my column last month the issues that I believed were on the industry’s priority list and these were indeed the issues that we covered, with what I believe was a sympathetic reception by the minister and his team.
PSVAR came first, especially with the recent enforcement notices that were issued by DVSA over the short-term exemptions for coaches used on home-to-school and rail replacement services. I got the impression that there is recognition of the challenges that coach operators face in complying with the August 2025 minimum compliance levels, and, as it currently stands, full compliance from August 2026. However, as with all these issues, there is a balance to be struck with those who wish to see far greater progress with accessibility, not just on coaches, but on all forms of public transport. My guess is that we will end up with a compromise; but we need to make sure that the pendulum does not swing too far away from what the coach industry is able to achieve.
I also mentioned the need to ensure that accessible infrastructure outside the coach is considered as important as its provision on the coach, even though it is much harder to achieve.
We spoke about the challenges of understanding the size and scale of the coach industry, especially the number of coaches and operators that exist in operation (probably around 25,000-28,000 coaches and around 2,500 operators, but exact figures are not known). Trying to understand how many passenger journeys are undertaken on each coach per annum is even more of a challenge. We have some estimates, but breaking those figures down is not easy. This is important if the coach is going to figure more strongly in the minds of politicians in the next few years.
Other subjects touched on included decarbonisation and the road to zero-emission (a visit to a UKCOA member’s depot has been arranged for Department for Transport officials), and the EU Entry/Exit System — the date of implementation is coming ever closer.
The minister was keen to stress the importance of good working relationships and wished to send his thanks and best wishes for all the industry does day in, day out.
A very positive start.
