Coach operators sometimes get all misty-eyed about the ‘good old days’, when private hire rates were good, traffic relatively light and demand for day trips strong.
True, all that has changed. We’ll never see traffic levels of the ‘50s and ‘60s again, while inbound tourism, school ski trips, plus home-to-school form a more typical base for many operators’ portfolios.
But in recent years the change in vehicles has been more profound. The simple mainstream choice one typically had of a Bedford or a Ford, that was relatively cheap to buy but didn’t last long, has been replaced by brands fizzing with technology and safety.
Toilets and serveries, naturally, are standard: Passengers are well looked after, with USB ports and other creature comforts as a given, while driver comfort is always assured.
Today’s coaches have reduced the physical skills of gear-changing and steering. The semi-automation of many tasks makes coaches easier to drive – allowing concentration on the busy road ahead.
Then there’s price. In the market for ‘everyday workhorse coaches’ – i.e. what earns most operators most of their money – competition is fiercely keen.
In this segment operators have plenty of choice. Add in standard safety features and it’s fair to say that more progress has been made in the last decade than any others in recent years. Have we ever had it so good?
