A Yorkshire coach operator became so frustrated with Clean Air Zones that he put pen to paper about both them and the contempt in which he believes that Euro 5 coaches are now held.
His thoughts are published in this issue of routeone. You may agree with him, or you may disagree with him. But his views will certainly get you thinking.
News over the past week shows that the long-desired funding for retrofitting older coaches to achieve Euro 6 compliance is finally coming. The first is for three technology suppliers to aid accreditation. LowCVP hopes to follow that up later with the financial assistance for operators directly.
Tim Steel, of Steels Coaches, takes a more pragmatic view of how the transition to widespread Euro 6 – and make no mistake, it will be just that – should be handled.
And while trade bodies lead with communicating operators’ thoughts to the powers that be, Mr Steel chose the simplest way of getting his views over to his fellow operators. He sent them to routeone.
routeone is your magazine. It aims to promote the coach and bus industry whenever possible. It is always happy to hear from a reader who may have something that they wish to get off their chest. routeone can always find space for those missives.
And putting finger to keyboard is something that operators may need to do more of in the future.
Never has it been more important for their positions and wishes to be articulated to the parties that govern the future of road passenger transport. Regardless of whether you run coaches, buses or minibuses, you have the chance to shape the industry’s future.
When that opportunity comes knocking, don’t waste it.
