Membership of the Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM) is “more relevant than it ever was,” Chair and Stephensons of Essex Managing Director Bill Hiron (pictured) told the Association’s recent conference in Edinburgh as part of his opening address. Mr Hiron highlights the “astronomical” pace of change as a key driver of the need for collaboration among operators that are not part of the large groups.
Of the approximately 300 delegates at the Edinburgh gathering, around half were from operators. That is a similar position to the 2022 gathering in Blackpool and has reassured ALBUM that its conference continues to be one of the highlights of the bus industry calendar.
“There are big challenges for SME operators, and we lack the specialised teams of the large groups to help us through them,” Mr Hiron continues.
He cites the move to zero-emission, recruitment, changes to the regulatory environment in some areas, upcoming accessible information requirements and, for operators in England, the Bus Open Data Service as being among those.
The conference majored on customers, people, product and policy. Lothian Buses Managing Director Sarah Boyd believes that while attention to the people aspect means getting things right for customers, it also captures staff. “We must have an employee offering that is fit for 2023, and we must promote diversity,” she says.
Customers also factor into policy work, with delegates hearing that operators must engage with politicians to ensure that that public policy decisions are the right ones for bus passengers.
Subsequent sessions demonstrated that such work is easier said than done, but Ms Boyd adds that the dynamic of the industry is currently “ever-changing” and that the sector must continue to adapt to developing travel patterns.
The importance of ALBUM was underlined by long-time former industry leader Ian Longworth. Most recently Director of Transport Services with the Isle of Man Government, he believes that the Association “has a critical role in moulding policy.” But Mr Longworth cautions that despite the challenges they face, operators must never forget the customer and their expectations.
Further ALBUM conference 2023 coverage:
Bus ‘forms major part of Scottish Government policy’
Technology mix likely for ZE likely, ALBUM conference hears
Bus ‘must collaborate with other sectors’ on policy
ALBUM opens partnership with Women in Transport
