Business ebbs and flows, and every week, there’s more news about the latest developments in operations, technology, partnership and vehicles. It’s become part of our editorial to test drive Euro 6 coaches, buses and minibuses, and now electric buses are gaining the same coverage.
Meanwhile, operators continue to blaze the trail that was evident from routeone’s first issue. Now it’s not just upmarket specifications, but wi-fi, USB ports, and this week the launch of the first network-wide contactless scheme outside London. And, it’s not by a group, but an independent.
Not only will it make travel easier, and hopefully encourage growth, but we reckon that within a year, most people will expect buses to accept contactless in the same way that most shops already do.
A potential fly in the ointment is the Bus Services Bill – or more specifically, some of the outcomes that may flow from its legislation. Partnerships remain positive, but it takes two (or in the case of buses, many more) to tango.
Yet each week we see evidence that this is a strong, proactive industry, and one that’s not slow to change.
With that in mind, don’t forget to nominate for the routeone Awards (see pages 6-9). The event offers the perfect opportunity to prove to the world what coach and bus operators can achieve. It’s never short of high-quality entries in any category; it’s up to you to ensure that the best are put forward for consideration.
